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Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic LZ30

Portability
70
Imaging
42
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic LZ30 Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Increase to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Introduced October 2005
  • Alternate Name is EVOLT E-500
  • Renewed by Olympus E-510
Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Older Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • Later Model is Panasonic LZ40
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Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic LZ30 Overview

Here is a in depth review of the Olympus E-500 versus Panasonic LZ30, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and LZ30 (16MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and LZ30 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-500 was manufactured 8 years earlier than the LZ30 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-500 grades against the LZ30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Panasonic LZ30

 E-500 LZ30 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Olympus E-500

 LZ30 E-500 
ReleasedJanuary 2013October 2005Fresher by 87 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k215kSharper display (+245k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Panasonic LZ30

 E-500 LZ30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic LZ30 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-500 has outside dimensions of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) and the Panasonic LZ30 has specifications of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-500 versus Panasonic LZ30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-500 versus the LZ30.

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic LZ30 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-500 and LZ30 is 70 and 66 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic LZ30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic LZ30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by looking at specifications. The graphic below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-500 and LZ30.

To sum up, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-500 due to its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic LZ30 will give extra detail due to its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The older E-500 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic LZ30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-500 Portrait photography info
Panasonic LZ30 Portrait photography info
49
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
32
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-500 Street photography features
Panasonic LZ30 Street photography features
57
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (479 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
low maximum ISO (400)
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than others (552g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-500 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Sports photography camera
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
max fps low (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
47
great zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
good battery (380 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-500
Travel photography with Panasonic LZ30
52
lighter than competitors in class (479g)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (8 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
56
good battery (380 CIPA)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (875mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others (552g)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography info
Panasonic LZ30 Landscape photography info
43
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
low maximum ISO (400)
no Time Lapse recording
45
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good battery (380 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
22
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than others (552g)
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Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic LZ30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Panasonic LZ30
 Olympus E-500Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
Alternate name EVOLT E-500 -
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2005-10-21 2013-01-07
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Maximum resolution 3264 x 2448 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 400 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 1600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 3 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-875mm (35.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.0-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 215k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 479 gr (1.06 pounds) 552 gr (1.22 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 380 pictures
Battery format - AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 0r 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $600 $230