Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung HZ30W
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49


91 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung HZ30W Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
- Announced November 2011
- Later Model is Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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
- Alternate Name is WB600

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung HZ30W Overview
Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-PM1 versus Samsung HZ30W, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the HZ30W (12MP) is relatively similar but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and HZ30W (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor dimensions.

The E-PM1 was launched 23 months after the HZ30W which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera.
Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the HZ30W when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung HZ30W Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Samsung HZ30W. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery and Samsung HZ30W Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Samsung HZ30W
E-PM1 | HZ30W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | November 2011 | ![]() | January 2010 | Newer by 23 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Olympus E-PM1
HZ30W | E-PM1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Samsung HZ30W
E-PM1 | HZ30W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung HZ30W Physical Comparison
When you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM1 offers outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Samsung HZ30W has dimensions of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-PM1 versus Samsung HZ30W in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the E-PM1 against the HZ30W.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and HZ30W is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung HZ30W Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading specs. The pic here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and HZ30W.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact MP albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 includes the bigger sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF easier. The newer E-PM1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung HZ30W Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Samsung HZ30W | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Samsung |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Samsung HZ30W |
Also referred to as | - | WB600 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2011-11-23 | 2010-01-19 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic VI | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
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 | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 24-360mm (15.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/3.2-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | - | 3cm |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 16 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 6.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 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 |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 265 grams (0.58 lb) | 245 grams (0.54 lb) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 52 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.0 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 499 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 shots | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLS-5 | SLB-11A |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $499 | $280 |