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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 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
  • Succeeded the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Refreshed by Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Photography Glossary

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is fairly close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was revealed 2 years after the FZ40 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SP-820UZ scores versus the FZ40 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic FZ40

 SP-820UZ FZ40 
ReleasedAugust 2012July 2010Newer by 26 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 FZ40 SP-820UZ 
Manual focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic FZ40

 SP-820UZ FZ40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-820UZ features physical measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has measurements of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Check the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Panasonic FZ40 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the SP-820UZ vs the FZ40.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and FZ40 is 69 and 68 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions merely by looking through technical specs. The image here may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-820UZ and FZ40.

As you can tell, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of files although you have to factor the age of the cameras into account. The more modern SP-820UZ is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography highlights
34
MP count decent (14MP)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
46
has manual focus
good MP (14MP)
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Street photography with Panasonic FZ40
37
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than average (485g)
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography information
33
incredible zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography highlights
55
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (22mm)
very long zoom (896mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (485 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
54
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (494g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
35
rather wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
51
has manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging information
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging information
25
rather wide (22mm)
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than average (485g)
23
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
heavier than competition (494g)
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-08-21 2010-07-21
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-896mm (40.7x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 15.00 m 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 485 grams (1.07 lbs) 494 grams (1.09 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $299 $420