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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

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
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Previous Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 2009
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic FS12, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is pretty similar and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was revealed 3 years after the FS12 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SP-820UZ grades versus the FS12 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic FS12

 SP-820UZ FS12 
RevealedAugust 2012April 2009More modern by 41 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 FS12 SP-820UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic FS12

 SP-820UZ FS12 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-820UZ enjoys outside measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS12 has proportions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic FS12 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SP-820UZ compared to the FS12.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-820UZ and FS12 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing technical specs. The image here may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-820UZ and FS12.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Olympus SP-820UZ to deliver extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The newer SP-820UZ provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent MP (14MP)
supports face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography highlights
Panasonic FS12 Street photography highlights
37
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than others (485g)
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography advice
Panasonic FS12 Sports photography advice
33
excellent zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography info
Panasonic FS12 Travel photography info
55
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (22mm)
long reach (896mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (485g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
35
reasonably wide (22mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
28
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging details
Panasonic FS12 Vlogging details
25
reasonably wide (22mm)
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic jack
heavier than others (485g)
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone socket
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic FS12
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Revealed 2012-08-21 2009-04-17
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-896mm (40.7x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 15.00 m 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 485 grams (1.07 lbs) 129 grams (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $299 $228