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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF1

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF1 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
  • Released August 2012
  • Superseded the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Successor is Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Launched October 2009
  • Replacement is Panasonic GF2
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF1 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the GF1 (12MP) is fairly close but the SP-820UZ (1/2.3") and GF1 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The SP-820UZ was introduced 2 years later than the GF1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SP-820UZ grades against the GF1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic GF1

 SP-820UZ GF1 
LaunchedAugust 2012October 2009Fresher by 35 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 GF1 SP-820UZ 
Focus manually More precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic GF1

 SP-820UZ GF1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-820UZ features 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 GF1 has proportions of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") along with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the SP-820UZ against the GF1.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and GF1 is 69 and 85 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing purely by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-820UZ and GF1.

Clearly, both cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SP-820UZ having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Olympus SP-820UZ will provide you with greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The fresher SP-820UZ will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography highlights
34
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography information
Panasonic GF1 Street photography information
37
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competition (485g)
64
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GF1 Sports photography highlights
33
long zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
44
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
better than average battery life (380 shots)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography advice
Panasonic GF1 Travel photography advice
55
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (22mm)
long reach (896mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (485 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
59
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography features
Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography features
35
rather wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
60
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging features
Panasonic GF1 Vlogging features
25
rather wide (22mm)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than competition (485 grams)
25
has face detect focus
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic GF1
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-08-21 2009-10-14
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 22-896mm (40.7x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 15.00 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 485 grams (1.07 lbs) 385 grams (0.85 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 54
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 513
Other
Battery life - 380 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $299 $400