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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic ZS30
(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
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS35
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic ZS30, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and ZS30 (18MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and ZS30 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL3 was revealed 15 months before the ZS30 making them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-PL3 grades against the ZS30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic ZS30

 E-PL3 ZS30 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Olympus E-PL3

 ZS30 E-PL3 
IntroducedJanuary 2013September 2011More modern by 15 months
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic ZS30

 E-PL3 ZS30 
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL3 provides physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS30 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic ZS30 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL3 versus the ZS30.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and ZS30 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes only by going over a spec sheet. The picture underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and ZS30.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL3 using its larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic ZS30 will offer you extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-PL3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
33
megapixel count good (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography features
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography features
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
max fps low (6.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (300 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200s)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
44
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than average in class (198g)
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery life (260 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography factors
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
44
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery life (260 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging info
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
35
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (198g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic support
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic ZS30
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-09-20 2013-01-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic VI -
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to 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 35 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 920k 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 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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 AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313 gr (0.69 lbs) 198 gr (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images 260 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $399 $250