Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic G3

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic G3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the FE-4030 (14MP) and the G3 (16MP) is very comparable but the FE-4030 (1/2.3") and G3 (Four Thirds) posses totally different sensor size.

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The FE-4030 was released 18 months before the G3 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus FE-4030 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the FE-4030 matches up against the G3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus FE-4030 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3. The complete galleries are available at Olympus FE-4030 Gallery and Panasonic G3 Gallery.

In case you're intending to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus FE-4030 provides physical measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Panasonic G3 has proportions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") and a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic G3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the FE-4030 compared to the G3.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the FE-4030 and G3 is 95 and 83 respectively.

Generally, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements just by going through specifications. The photograph underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FE-4030 and G3.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The FE-4030 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Panasonic G3 will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older FE-4030 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.