Clicky

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
21
Overall
30
Olympus FE-4030 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Olympus FE-4030
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 93 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2010
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2011
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Below is a in-depth overview of the Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the FE-4030 (14MP) and the S3 (14MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The FE-4030 was announced 12 months before the S3 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the FE-4030 grades against the S3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus FE-4030 over the Panasonic S3

 FE-4030 S3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Olympus FE-4030

 S3 FE-4030 
RevealedJanuary 2011January 2010More recent by 12 months

Common features in the Olympus FE-4030 and Panasonic S3

 FE-4030 S3 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display sizing
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus FE-4030 features physical dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic S3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the FE-4030 against the S3.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FE-4030 and S3 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FE-4030 and S3.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of pictures but you should consider the release date of the cameras into account. The older FE-4030 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus FE-4030
Portrait photography with Panasonic S3
28
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus FE-4030
Street photography with Panasonic S3
48
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Sports photography information
Panasonic S3 Sports photography information
35
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Travel photography information
Panasonic S3 Travel photography information
65
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
68
lighter than average in class (117g)
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography highlights
33
pretty wide (26mm)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
small screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse function
38
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Vlogging information
Panasonic S3 Vlogging information
26
pretty wide (26mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone socket
31
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-4030 and Panasonic S3
 Olympus FE-4030Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus FE-4030 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-01-07 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-105mm (4.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance 4cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.80 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 146 grams (0.32 lbs) 117 grams (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 250 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $130 $110