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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Olympus E-30
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Introduced March 2009
Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Replacement is Panasonic GF5
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF3, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the GF3 (12MP) is fairly similar and they use the exact same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-30 was unveiled 3 years prior to the GF3 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-30 scores vs the GF3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Panasonic GF3

 E-30 GF3 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Olympus E-30

 GF3 E-30 
AnnouncedAugust 2011March 2009More recent by 29 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic GF3

 E-30 GF3 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-30 offers external measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") having a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF3 has measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the E-30 vs the GF3.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and GF3 is 60 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to visualise the difference between sensor measurements purely by reviewing specifications. The graphic below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-30 and GF3.

Plainly, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of files although you should really take the production date of the products into consideration. The older E-30 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography advice
59
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
55
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography highlights
Panasonic GF3 Street photography highlights
72
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
70
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Sports photography camera
51
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (750 per charge)
38
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (300 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography info
Panasonic GF3 Travel photography info
49
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (750 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
58
comes with touch to focus
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery (300 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-30
Landscape photography with Panasonic GF3
52
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low MP (12MP)
terrible battery life (750 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (300 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-30
Vlogging with Panasonic GF3
18
can't shoot video
32
touch screen
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone socket
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Panasonic GF3
 Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-03-24 2011-08-11
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech HyperCrystal II LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 695g (1.53 lb) 264g (0.58 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 50
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 20.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 10.1
DXO Low light rating 530 459
Other
Battery life 750 pictures 300 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $1,299 $360