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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH1

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH1 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
  • Launched August 2012
  • Superseded the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Later Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Successor is Panasonic GH2
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH1 Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the GH1 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the SP-820UZ (1/2.3") and GH1 (Four Thirds) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The SP-820UZ was launched 3 years after the GH1 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SP-820UZ matches up versus the GH1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic GH1

 SP-820UZ GH1 
ReleasedAugust 2012July 2009Newer by 38 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 GH1 SP-820UZ 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic GH1

 SP-820UZ GH1 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-820UZ features 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) while the Panasonic GH1 has proportions of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") having a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the SP-820UZ and the GH1.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SP-820UZ and GH1 is 69 and 81 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions merely by seeing a spec sheet. The image below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-820UZ and GH1.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SP-820UZ due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Olympus SP-820UZ will show extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The newer SP-820UZ provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic GH1 Portrait photography highlights
34
MP count decent (14MP)
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
59
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography advice
Panasonic GH1 Street photography advice
37
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competition (485 grams)
72
fully articulated screen
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Sports photography with Panasonic GH1
33
excellent zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
MP count decent (14MP)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
32
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
bad battery (320 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Travel photography with Panasonic GH1
55
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (22mm)
great zoom (896mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (485g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
58
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery (320 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography features
Panasonic GH1 Landscape photography features
35
really wide (22mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery (320 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging highlights
Panasonic GH1 Vlogging highlights
25
really wide (22mm)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of external mic socket
heavier than competition (485g)
72
screen is selfie friendly
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic jack
does not have image stabilization
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic GH1
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2012-08-21 2009-07-10
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 18.89 x 14.48mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 273.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest boosted ISO - 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 22-896mm (40.7x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 1.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 15.00 m 10.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 485 grams (1.07 pounds) 385 grams (0.85 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 772
Other
Battery life - 320 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $299 $949