Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ30

In this article, we are matching up the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ30, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and LZ30 (16MP) and the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and LZ30 (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The E-P3 was introduced 16 months before the LZ30 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-P3 matches up vs the LZ30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-P3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-P3 Gallery and Panasonic LZ30 Gallery.

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P3 enjoys exterior dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ30 has dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic LZ30 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-P3 against the LZ30.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-P3 and LZ30 is 86 and 66 respectively.

Typically, it's difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through technical specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P3 and LZ30.

As you can tell, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-P3 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic LZ30 will provide greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged E-P3 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.