Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
![Olympus PEN E-PL1 front Olympus PEN E-PL1 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-PEN-E-PL1/Olympus-E-PL1-front.jpg)
![Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS30/Panasonic-ZS30-front.jpg)
92 Imaging
42 Features
48 Overall
44
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Revealed May 2010
- Later Model is Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
- Released January 2013
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
- Replaced the Panasonic ZS25
- Updated by Panasonic ZS35
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview
Here, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic ZS30, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and ZS30 (18MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and ZS30 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizing.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
The E-PL1 was introduced 3 years before the ZS30 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.
Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-PL1 grades versus the ZS30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery and Panasonic ZS30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic ZS30
E-PL1 | ZS30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Olympus E-PL1
ZS30 | E-PL1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2013 | ![]() | May 2010 | Newer by 32 months |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+690k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS30
E-PL1 | ZS30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 has outer measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS30 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic ZS30 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PL1 compared to the ZS30.
![Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL1-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS30-size-comparison.jpg)
Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and ZS30 is 86 and 92 respectively.
![Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL1-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS30-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions just by looking at technical specs. The picture underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and ZS30.
As you have seen, both of those cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic ZS30 will give you extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.
![Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL1-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS30-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL1-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS30-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 |
Other name | - | Lumix DMC-TZ40 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2010-05-17 | 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 dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 18MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4896 x 3672 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 24-480mm (20.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/3.3-6.4 |
Macro focus distance | - | 3cm |
Number of lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 15 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1200 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 10.00 m | 6.40 m |
Flash options | 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 | ||
Max flash sync | 1/160 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic 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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 334 grams (0.74 lb) | 198 grams (0.44 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 54 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.5 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.1 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 487 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 photographs | 260 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch price | $288 | $250 |