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Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Olympus FE-4000 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Olympus FE-4000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Also Known as X-925
Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS35
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Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Olympus FE-4000 versus Panasonic ZS30, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the FE-4000 (12MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FE-4000 was manufactured 4 years prior to the ZS30 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the FE-4000 scores versus the ZS30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-4000 over the Panasonic ZS30

 FE-4000 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Olympus FE-4000

 ZS30 FE-4000 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013July 2009Fresher by 42 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus FE-4000 and Panasonic ZS30

 FE-4000 ZS30 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus FE-4000 comes with outside measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS30 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Compare the Olympus FE-4000 versus Panasonic ZS30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the FE-4000 and the ZS30.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the FE-4000 and ZS30 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to see the gap in sensor sizing just by researching specs. The graphic underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the FE-4000 and ZS30.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic ZS30 to result in extra detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The older FE-4000 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography details
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
33
resolution is good (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography information
55
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
lighter than others in class (198g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography features
17
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
46
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery power (260 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus FE-4000
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
62
lighter than average in class (136g)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
69
lighter than others in class (198g)
offers focus by touch
resolution is good (18MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
28
fairly wide (26mm)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
44
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
low battery power (260 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus FE-4000
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
28
fairly wide (26mm)
lighter than average in class (136g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
35
quite wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (198 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have microphone jack
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Olympus FE-4000 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-4000 and Panasonic ZS30
 Olympus FE-4000Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus FE-4000 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also Known as X-925 Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-07-22 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-105mm (4.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1200s
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 grams (0.30 pounds) 198 grams (0.44 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 - 260 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $130 $250