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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Introduced October 2013
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M1 II
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
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS35
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Following is a complete analysis of the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic ZS30, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is pretty comparable but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and ZS30 (1/2.3") boast different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 was unveiled 10 months after the ZS30 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a short summation of how the E-M1 grades against the ZS30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic ZS30

 E-M1 ZS30 
IntroducedOctober 2013January 2013More modern by 10 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k920kSharper screen (+117k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Olympus E-M1

 ZS30 E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic ZS30

 E-M1 ZS30 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 features exterior dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS30 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 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 dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-M1 versus the ZS30.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and ZS30 is 71 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes purely by seeing technical specs. The pic below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 and ZS30.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic ZS30 will provide extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 should have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography information
71
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
33
resolution is good (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography highlights
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
supports touch focus
environment sealing
lighter than competitors (497g)
good ISO range (25,600)
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
lighter than others (198g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography info
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
terrible battery life (350 shots)
46
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography info
65
lighter than competitors (497 grams)
environment sealing
supports touch focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
terrible battery life (350 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than others (198 grams)
comes with touch focus
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography features
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
terrible battery life (350 shots)
44
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery life (260 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging advice
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic jack
lighter than competitors (497g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
35
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (198g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
missing mic socket
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic ZS30
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-10-28 2013-01-07
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 81 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash modes Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/320 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497 gr (1.10 lb) 198 gr (0.44 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots 260 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $799 $250