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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic LX5

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic LX5 Key Specs

Olympus E-30
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Revealed March 2009
Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Introduced December 2011
  • Previous Model is Panasonic LX3
  • Newer Model is Panasonic LX7
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic LX5 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic LX5, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the LX5 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and LX5 (1/1.63") provide different sensor sizing.

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The E-30 was unveiled 3 years prior to the LX5 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic LX5 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-30 grades versus the LX5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Panasonic LX5

 E-30 LX5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Olympus E-30

 LX5 E-30 
IntroducedDecember 2011March 2009Newer by 33 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic LX5

 E-30 LX5 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic LX5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-30 provides outer dimensions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") and a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) and the Panasonic LX5 has sizing of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic LX5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-30 compared to the LX5.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic LX5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-30 and LX5 is 60 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic LX5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic LX5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing specs. The image below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-30 and LX5.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-30 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-30 will provide extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged E-30 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic LX5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography features
Panasonic LX5 Portrait photography features
59
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
41
manual focus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-30
Street photography with Panasonic LX5
72
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/1.63")
heavier than competitors in class (271g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography information
Panasonic LX5 Sports photography information
51
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
bad battery (750 shots)
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography features
Panasonic LX5 Travel photography features
49
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery (750 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
59
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (271 grams)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic LX5 as a Landscape photography camera
52
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
low resolution (12MP)
bad battery (750 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
52
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LX5 as a Vlogging camera
18
no video shooting
29
reasonably wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (271 grams)
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic LX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Panasonic LX5
 Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-03-24 2011-12-15
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-90mm (3.8x)
Highest aperture - f/2.0-3.3
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 7.20 m
Flash settings 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695 grams (1.53 pounds) 271 grams (0.60 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 41
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 19.6
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 10.8
DXO Low light score 530 132
Other
Battery life 750 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $1,299 $294