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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Introduced April 2010
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-P1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P3
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
  • Launched January 2013
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS35
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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-P2 versus Panasonic ZS30, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the E-P2 (12MP) and ZS30 (18MP) and the E-P2 (Four Thirds) and ZS30 (1/2.3") feature different sensor measurements.

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The E-P2 was announced 3 years earlier than the ZS30 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-P2 grades versus the ZS30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Panasonic ZS30

 E-P2 ZS30 
Focus manually Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Olympus E-P2

 ZS30 E-P2 
LaunchedJanuary 2013April 2010Newer by 33 months
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic ZS30

 E-P2 ZS30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P2 provides exterior dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS30 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-P2 versus Panasonic ZS30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the E-P2 compared to the ZS30.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-P2 and ZS30 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading specifications. The picture below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P2 and ZS30.

To sum up, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-P2 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic ZS30 will offer you extra detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged E-P2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography info
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
33
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography advice
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
lighter than competition in class (198g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P2
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography highlights
43
doesn't have Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (300 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition in class (198g)
boasts touch focus
MP count decent (18MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (260 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography information
60
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (300 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
44
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging details
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
35
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (198g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external microphone port
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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic ZS30
 Olympus PEN E-P2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-04-22 2013-01-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 grams (0.78 lbs) 198 grams (0.44 lbs)
Dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 505 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images 260 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $799 $250