Clicky

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
69
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus SP-800 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Key Specs

Olympus SP-800 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Bump to 1000)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-840mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Introduced February 2010
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-810 UZ
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Replacement is Panasonic LZ30
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Olympus SP-800 UZ versus Panasonic LZ20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SP-800 UZ (14MP) and the LZ20 (16MP) is very similar and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

The SP-800 UZ was revealed 3 years earlier than the LZ20 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-800 UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SP-800 UZ matches up versus the LZ20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-800 UZ over the Panasonic LZ20

 SP-800 UZ LZ20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus SP-800 UZ

 LZ20 SP-800 UZ 
ReleasedJuly 2012February 2010Fresher by 29 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-800 UZ and Panasonic LZ20

 SP-800 UZ LZ20 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SP-800 UZ has outside dimensions of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") with a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ20 has specifications of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check the Olympus SP-800 UZ versus Panasonic LZ20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the SP-800 UZ vs the LZ20.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-800 UZ and LZ20 is 69 and 71 respectively.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading specs. The visual below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-800 UZ and LZ20.

All in all, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic LZ20 to deliver greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The older SP-800 UZ is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Portrait photography factors
Panasonic LZ20 Portrait photography factors
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
37
good megapixels (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Street Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Street photography information
Panasonic LZ20 Street photography information
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than competitors (499g)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Sports photography info
Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography info
47
incredible zoom range (28-840mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
provides tracking focus
great battery (380 shots)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Travel photography camera
61
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (840mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
58
great battery (380 shots)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (525mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (499 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-800 UZ
Landscape photography with Panasonic LZ20
41
fairly wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
45
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
great battery (380 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Vlogging information
Panasonic LZ20 Vlogging information
24
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
25
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
heavier than competitors (499g)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-800 UZ and Panasonic LZ20
 Olympus SP-800 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SP-800 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-02-02 2012-07-18
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Max boosted ISO 1000 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 143 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-840mm (30.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 12 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.10 m 6.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 455 grams (1.00 lbs) 499 grams (1.10 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life - 380 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model Li-50B -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $270 $250