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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PM1
Olympus SP-820UZ
(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
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Previous Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Later Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-PM2 versus Olympus SP-820UZ, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are designed by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the SP-820UZ (14MP) is fairly close but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and SP-820UZ (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM2 was released 10 months after the SP-820UZ and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-PM2 scores vs the SP-820UZ in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 E-PM2 SP-820UZ 
IntroducedMay 2013August 2012Newer by 10 months
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Olympus E-PM2

 SP-820UZ E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus SP-820UZ

 E-PM2 SP-820UZ 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM2 enjoys outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Olympus SP-820UZ has dimensions of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PM2 versus Olympus SP-820UZ in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM2 against the SP-820UZ.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SP-820UZ size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and SP-820UZ is 89 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SP-820UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions purely by researching a spec sheet. The pic below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and SP-820UZ.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Olympus E-PM2 will result in more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer E-PM2 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SP-820UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography advice
Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography advice
71
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
34
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography info
Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography info
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
good high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
37
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than average in class (485g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography highlights
Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography highlights
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
lacks phase detect autofocus
33
incredible zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography details
Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography details
66
comes with focus via touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
55
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (22mm)
long zoom (896mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (485g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
74
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
no Time Lapse function
35
really wide (22mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging info
Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging info
36
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no mic jack
25
really wide (22mm)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone support
more heavy than average in class (485 grams)
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus SP-820UZ
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-05-21 2012-08-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 -
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 range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 15.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269g (0.59 pounds) 485g (1.07 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
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
Launch pricing $448 $299