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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus SP-820UZ Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Introduced February 2020
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus SP-820UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-896mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 485g - 117 x 78 x 93mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Succeeded the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-820UZ
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus SP-820UZ Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-M1 III versus Olympus SP-820UZ, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are produced by Olympus. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and SP-820UZ (14MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and SP-820UZ (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 III was revealed 7 years after the SP-820UZ which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-M1 III grades vs the SP-820UZ for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 E-M1 III SP-820UZ 
ReleasedFebruary 2020August 2012Newer by 91 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Olympus E-M1 III

 SP-820UZ E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus SP-820UZ

 E-M1 III SP-820UZ 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus SP-820UZ Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 III offers outside measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Olympus SP-820UZ has proportions of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M1 III versus Olympus SP-820UZ in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is the front view size comparison of the E-M1 III vs the SP-820UZ.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus SP-820UZ size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and SP-820UZ is 67 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus SP-820UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus SP-820UZ Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specifications. The image underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 III and SP-820UZ.

To sum up, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 III with its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Olympus E-M1 III will deliver extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The newer E-M1 III will have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus SP-820UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography factors
Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography factors
77
manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
34
megapixel count good (14MP)
comes with face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Street photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Street photography camera
78
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
environment proof
very good high ISO (25,600)
37
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competition (485 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Sports photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
33
excellent zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Travel photography camera
79
environment proof
supports bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
selfie friendly display
55
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (22mm)
very long reach (896mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (485 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
81
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
35
relatively wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging details
Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging details
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone port
25
relatively wide (22mm)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than competition (485g)
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus SP-820UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus SP-820UZ
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIOlympus Stylus SP-820UZ
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2020-02-11 2012-08-21
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic IX -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
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
Total focus points 121 -
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 22-896mm (40.7x)
Max aperture - f/3.4-5.7
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 15.00 m
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 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 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 gr (1.28 pounds) 485 gr (1.07 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 420 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two Single
Pricing at launch $1,800 $299