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Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Olympus FE-4030 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Olympus FE-4030
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 93 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2010
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS20
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Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Olympus FE-4030 and Panasonic ZS15, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the FE-4030 (14MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FE-4030 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the ZS15 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the FE-4030 matches up against the ZS15 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-4030 over the Panasonic ZS15

 FE-4030 ZS15 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Olympus FE-4030

 ZS15 FE-4030 
AnnouncedJune 2012January 2010More modern by 30 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus FE-4030 and Panasonic ZS15

 FE-4030 ZS15 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus FE-4030 features external dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS15 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Look at the Olympus FE-4030 and Panasonic ZS15 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the FE-4030 versus the ZS15.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FE-4030 and ZS15 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes just by reading through specs. The pic below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FE-4030 and ZS15.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Olympus FE-4030 to give extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged FE-4030 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Portrait photography camera
28
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
21
no manual focus
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography features
48
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography highlights
34
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
36
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography details
65
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
61
lighter than competition in class (208g)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
no Time Lapse function
bad battery (260 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography factors
32
decently wide (26mm)
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
37
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery (260 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging highlights
25
decently wide (26mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic support
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic support
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Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-4030 and Panasonic ZS15
 Olympus FE-4030Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus FE-4030 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-01-07 2012-06-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-105mm (4.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 4cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.80 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 146 gr (0.32 lbs) 208 gr (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 93 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 - 260 photos
Battery style - 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 1 1
Cost at launch $130 $279