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Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Olympus E-300 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs

Olympus E-300
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Raise to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 624g - 147 x 85 x 64mm
  • Revealed January 2005
  • Additionally referred to as EVOLT E-300
  • Successor is Olympus E-330
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

The following is a complete review of the Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic S2, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the E-300 (8MP) and S2 (14MP) and the E-300 (Four Thirds) and S2 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizes.

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The E-300 was brought out 8 years prior to the S2 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-300 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-300 grades versus the S2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-300 over the Panasonic S2

 E-300 S2 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Olympus E-300

 S2 E-300 
IntroducedJanuary 2012January 2005Newer by 85 months
Display dimensions2.7"1.8"Larger display (+0.9")
Display resolution230k134kSharper display (+96k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-300 and Panasonic S2

 E-300 S2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-300 comes with external dimensions of 147mm x 85mm x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") having a weight of 624 grams (1.38 lbs) and the Panasonic S2 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic S2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the E-300 compared to the S2.

Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-300 and S2 is 67 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions purely by going through specifications. The picture underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-300 and S2.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-300 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic S2 will provide extra detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-300 will be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-300 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic S2 Portrait photography factors
48
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-300 Street photography information
Panasonic S2 Street photography information
51
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
maximum ISO low (400)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (112 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-300 Sports photography details
Panasonic S2 Sports photography details
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good battery (280 CIPA)
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-300 Travel photography details
Panasonic S2 Travel photography details
45
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
70
good battery (280 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (112g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-300
Landscape photography with Panasonic S2
43
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inches)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
maximum ISO low (400)
no Timelapse recording
41
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good battery (280 shots)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-300
Vlogging with Panasonic S2
9
can't record video
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (112g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
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Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-300 and Panasonic S2
 Olympus E-300Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Also referred to as EVOLT E-300 -
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2005-01-10 2012-01-09
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3264 x 2448 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 400 6400
Highest boosted ISO 1600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 3 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 1.8" 2.7"
Screen resolution 134k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 624g (1.38 lb) 112g (0.25 lb)
Physical dimensions 147 x 85 x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 280 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $800 $109