Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


66 Imaging
39 Features
32 Overall
36
Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus VG-145 Gallery and Panasonic LZ30 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | July 2011 | More modern by 17 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic LZ30
VG-145 | LZ30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic LZ30 Specifications
Olympus VG-145 | Panasonic 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 |