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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

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

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Launched October 2013
  • Refreshed by 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
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replaced the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Renewed by Olympus SP-820UZ
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 versus Olympus SP-820UZ, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Olympus. The resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the SP-820UZ (14MP) is relatively comparable but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and SP-820UZ (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 was introduced 15 months later than the SP-820UZ which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-M1 matches up versus the SP-820UZ for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 E-M1 SP-820UZ 
AnnouncedOctober 2013August 2012More recent by 15 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

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

 SP-820UZ E-M1 

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

 E-M1 SP-820UZ 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

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

If you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 offers external measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") along with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Olympus SP-820UZ has proportions of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") and a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 versus Olympus SP-820UZ in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-M1 against the SP-820UZ.

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

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and SP-820UZ is 71 and 69 respectively.

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

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

More often than not, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing specifications. The visual underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and SP-820UZ.

Plainly, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Olympus E-M1 will provide greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Portrait photography camera
71
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
34
MP count good (14MP)
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography factors
Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography factors
78
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features focus by touch
weather sealing
lighter than competition (497g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
37
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (485 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography advice
Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography advice
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery (350 CIPA)
33
great zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
MP count good (14MP)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1
Travel photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
65
lighter than competition (497 grams)
weather sealing
features focus by touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
low battery (350 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
55
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (22mm)
great zoom (896mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (485g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography information
Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography information
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
low battery (350 per charge)
35
fairly wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging factors
Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging factors
36
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone port
lighter than competition (497 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
25
fairly wide (22mm)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic port
heavier than competitors in class (485 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Olympus SP-820UZ
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-10-28 2012-08-21
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 81 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 22-896mm (40.7x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.4-5.7
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 15.00 m
Flash modes Flash Auto, 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
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497 grams (1.10 lbs) 485 grams (1.07 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $799 $299