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Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Successor is Olympus E-M5 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
  • New Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
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Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SP-820UZ, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both designed by Olympus. The resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the SP-820UZ (14MP) is relatively comparable but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and SP-820UZ (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.

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The E-M5 was manufactured 3 months earlier than the SP-820UZ which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-M5 scores against the SP-820UZ with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 E-M5 SP-820UZ 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution610k460kClearer screen (+150k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Olympus E-M5

 SP-820UZ E-M5 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Olympus SP-820UZ

 E-M5 SP-820UZ 
ReleasedApril 2012August 2012Same generation
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 provides physical dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Olympus SP-820UZ has specifications of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SP-820UZ in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-M5 versus the SP-820UZ.

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SP-820UZ size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 and SP-820UZ is 81 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SP-820UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to see the gap in sensor measurements purely by checking out a spec sheet. The visual below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 and SP-820UZ.

As you can see, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M5 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Olympus E-M5 will show more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SP-820UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography advice
Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography advice
71
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
34
MP count good (14MP)
features face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Street photography advice
Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography advice
82
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
supports touch focus
environment proof
good ISO range (25,600)
37
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than others in class (485g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Sports photography camera
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
lacks phase detect auto focus
33
excellent zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
MP count good (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5
Travel photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
66
environment proof
supports touch focus
decent MP (16MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
55
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (22mm)
very long reach (896mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (485 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography info
Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography info
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proof
doesn't have Time Lapse function
35
relatively wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M5
Vlogging with Olympus SP-820UZ
34
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic jack
25
relatively wide (22mm)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (485 grams)
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Olympus SP-820UZ
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-04-30 2012-08-21
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 22-896mm (40.7x)
Largest aperture - f/3.4-5.7
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 610 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 9.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 15.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 425 grams (0.94 lbs) 485 grams (1.07 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 826 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $799 $299