Clicky

Olympus E-PL1s vs Samsung HZ30W

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Samsung HZ30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36

Olympus E-PL1s vs Samsung HZ30W Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced November 2010
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL2
Samsung HZ30W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Also referred to as WB600
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus E-PL1s vs Samsung HZ30W Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Olympus E-PL1s versus Samsung HZ30W, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the HZ30W (12MP) is very comparable but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and HZ30W (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The E-PL1s was announced 11 months after the HZ30W which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-PL1s matches up against the HZ30W with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

        

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Samsung HZ30W

 E-PL1s HZ30W 
RevealedNovember 2010January 2010More modern by 11 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Olympus E-PL1s

 HZ30W E-PL1s 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Samsung HZ30W

 E-PL1s HZ30W 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL1s vs Samsung HZ30W Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1s comes with physical measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Samsung HZ30W has specifications of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL1s versus Samsung HZ30W in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PL1s and the HZ30W.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Samsung HZ30W size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1s and HZ30W is 86 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Samsung HZ30W top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Samsung HZ30W Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes just by checking out specs. The pic below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1s and HZ30W.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras feature the identical MP but not the same sensor sizes. The E-PL1s offers the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF simpler. The younger E-PL1s is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Samsung HZ30W sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
28
you can focus manually
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Street photography with Samsung HZ30W
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (245 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography details
Samsung HZ30W Sports photography details
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
42
amazing zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography info
Samsung HZ30W Travel photography info
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
63
lighter than competitors in class (245 grams)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (360mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.2)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography information
Samsung HZ30W Landscape photography information
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
42
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Vlogging camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Vlogging camera
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
30
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (245g)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-PL1s vs Samsung HZ30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Samsung HZ30W
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sSamsung HZ30W
General Information
Brand Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1s Samsung HZ30W
Also called - WB600
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-11-16 2010-01-19
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-360mm (15.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 16 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 grams (0.74 pounds) 245 grams (0.54 pounds)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 290 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $599 $280