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Olympus E-30 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Olympus E-30 vs Zeiss ZX1 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
  • Announced March 2009
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 51200
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 35mm (F2-22) lens
  • 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
  • Introduced September 2018
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-30 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Olympus E-30 vs Zeiss ZX1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Zeiss. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-30 (12MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the E-30 (Four Thirds) and ZX1 (Full frame) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The E-30 was introduced 10 years prior to the ZX1 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-30 grades against the ZX1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Zeiss ZX1

 E-30 ZX1 
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Olympus E-30

 ZX1 E-30 
IntroducedSeptember 2018March 2009Newer by 115 months
Display dimensions4.34"2.7"Larger display (+1.64")
Display resolution2765k230kClearer display (+2535k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Zeiss ZX1

 E-30 ZX1 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display

Olympus E-30 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-30 has outside measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") having a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has measurements of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-30 vs Zeiss ZX1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-30 against the ZX1.

Olympus E-30 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and ZX1 is 60 and 67 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading through technical specs. The picture below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-30 and ZX1.

As you have seen, the two cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-30 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Zeiss ZX1 will resolve more detail using its extra 25 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-30 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-30 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography details
59
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
86
manual focus
amazing megapixels (37MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-30
Street photography with Zeiss ZX1
72
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
70
fully articulated screen
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
includes focus via touch
great high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography details
51
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery (750 per charge)
64
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
amazing megapixels (37 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
can't change focal length (35mm)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Travel photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Travel photography camera
49
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (750 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
65
supports bluetooth
includes focus via touch
amazing megapixels (37MP)
great maximum aperture (f2)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (800g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography advice
52
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (750 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
69
manual focus
great maximum aperture (f2)
bigger than average screen (4.34 inches)
amazing megapixels (37MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging factors
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging factors
18
no video recording
31
great maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing mic support
heavier than average in class (800g)
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Olympus E-30 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Zeiss ZX1
 Olympus E-30Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Zeiss
Model type Olympus E-30 Zeiss ZX1
Category Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-03-24 2018-09-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 37 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 7488 x 4992
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 255
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Max aperture - f/2-22
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7" 4.34"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 2,765 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 695g (1.53 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 530 not tested
Other
Battery life 750 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card 512GB internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $1,299 -