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Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-145 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
Portability
66
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30 Key Specs

Olympus VG-145
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Released July 2011
Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Old Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • Replacement is Panasonic LZ40
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Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic LZ30, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the VG-145 (14MP) and the LZ30 (16MP) is very well matched and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The VG-145 was announced 17 months prior to the LZ30 making the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VG-145 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the VG-145 grades vs the LZ30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-145 over the Panasonic LZ30

 VG-145 LZ30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Olympus VG-145

 LZ30 VG-145 
LaunchedJanuary 2013July 2011More modern by 17 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic LZ30

 VG-145 LZ30 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus VG-145 has outside dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ30 has measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic LZ30 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 depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the VG-145 versus the LZ30.

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the VG-145 and LZ30 is 96 and 66 respectively.

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to see the difference between sensor sizes merely by checking specs. The pic underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-145 and LZ30.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic LZ30 to give you extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged VG-145 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VG-145
Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ30
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
31
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-145 Street photography information
Panasonic LZ30 Street photography information
48
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
43
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competitors (552g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-145 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Sports photography camera
26
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (160 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
great battery life (380 shots)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VG-145
Travel photography with Panasonic LZ30
62
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery life (160 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
56
great battery life (380 shots)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (875mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (552 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-145 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic LZ30 Landscape photography highlights
36
rather wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery life (160 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
44
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
great battery life (380 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-145 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Vlogging camera
28
rather wide (26mm)
comes with face detect focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
22
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competitors (552 grams)
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Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic LZ30
 Olympus VG-145Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VG-145 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-07-27 2013-01-07
Physical type Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 25-875mm (35.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.40 m 4.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 120g (0.26 lb) 552g (1.22 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 160 shots 380 shots
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery model LI-70B 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 0r 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $0 $230