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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

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
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Boost to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 2009
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS42, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the SP-820UZ (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The SP-820UZ was revealed 3 years later than the FS42 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise view of how the SP-820UZ scores against the FS42 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic FS42

 SP-820UZ FS42 
RevealedAugust 2012April 2009Fresher by 41 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 FS42 SP-820UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic FS42

 SP-820UZ FS42 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-820UZ has got exterior measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) and the Panasonic FS42 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS42 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the SP-820UZ and the FS42.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-820UZ and FS42 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The visual here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-820UZ and FS42.

Clearly, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SP-820UZ having a bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Olympus SP-820UZ will produce extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger SP-820UZ will have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography info
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography info
34
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography highlights
Panasonic FS42 Street photography highlights
37
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (485g)
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
low max ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography highlights
33
amazing zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
16
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography advice
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography advice
55
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (22mm)
long zoom (896mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (485 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
35
really wide (22mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
22
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging factors
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging factors
25
really wide (22mm)
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (485g)
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2012-08-21 2009-04-17
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 1000
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-896mm (40.7x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 6.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 15.00 m 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 485g (1.07 lb) 132g (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $299 $580