Nikon L20 vs Olympus SP-820UZ
94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


69 Imaging
37 Features
29 Overall
33
Nikon L20 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
- Launched February 2009
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 22-896mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
- 485g - 117 x 78 x 93mm
- Launched August 2012
- Previous Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
- Renewed by Olympus SP-820UZ

Nikon L20 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Overview
Lets examine more closely at the Nikon L20 and Olympus SP-820UZ, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Olympus. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and SP-820UZ (14MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The L20 was manufactured 4 years earlier than the SP-820UZ which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the L20 scores against the SP-820UZ for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon L20 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix L20 and Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon L20 Gallery and Olympus SP-820UZ Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Olympus SP-820UZ
L20 | SP-820UZ |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Nikon L20
SP-820UZ | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 43 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Olympus SP-820UZ
L20 | SP-820UZ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch display |
Nikon L20 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to travel with your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon L20 provides exterior measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Olympus SP-820UZ has proportions of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs).
See the Nikon L20 and Olympus SP-820UZ in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the L20 against the SP-820UZ.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the L20 and SP-820UZ is 94 and 69 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions just by looking at technical specs. The picture here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the L20 and SP-820UZ.
As you have seen, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Olympus SP-820UZ to resolve extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged L20 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L20 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Olympus |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L20 | Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2009-02-03 | 2012-08-21 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4288 x 3216 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 22-896mm (40.7x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.4-5.7 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8s | 4s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 15.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 135 gr (0.30 lb) | 485 gr (1.07 lb) |
Dimensions | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") |
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 model | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at release | $120 | $299 |