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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ300

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 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
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Replaced the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Later Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Announced July 2015
  • Replaced the Panasonic FZ200
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ300, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the FZ300 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was announced 3 years prior to the FZ300 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the SP-820UZ scores versus the FZ300 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic FZ300

 SP-820UZ FZ300 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 FZ300 SP-820UZ 
AnnouncedJuly 2015August 2012Fresher by 35 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic FZ300

 SP-820UZ FZ300 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-820UZ enjoys external measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ300 has proportions of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") having a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs).

Check the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the SP-820UZ against the FZ300.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and FZ300 is 69 and 59 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-820UZ and FZ300.

As you can see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Olympus SP-820UZ to show greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The older SP-820UZ will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Portrait photography camera
34
MP count good (14MP)
includes face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
46
you can focus manually
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Street photography camera
37
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competitors in class (485g)
59
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
boasts touch to focus
environment proofing
small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than average (691 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography details
Panasonic FZ300 Sports photography details
33
great zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
MP count good (14MP)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
maximum shutter speed is high (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery life (380 shots)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography info
Panasonic FZ300 Travel photography info
55
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (22mm)
great reach (896mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (485g)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
59
better than average battery life (380 shots)
environment proofing
boasts touch to focus
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
more heavy than average (691 grams)
resolution not great (12MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FZ300 Landscape photography advice
35
fairly wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse function
52
you can focus manually
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging factors
Panasonic FZ300 Vlogging factors
25
fairly wide (22mm)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (485g)
62
quite wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone socket
slow max aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than average (691g)
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic FZ300
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-08-21 2015-07-16
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 49
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-896mm (40.7x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/2.8
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 15.00 m 8.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 pounds) 691 grams (1.52 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Retail cost $299 $598