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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH3

Portability
69 Imaging
38 Features
29 Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front
Portability
66 Imaging
52 Features
80 Overall
63

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH3 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 GH3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 550g - 133 x 93 x 82mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Old Model is Panasonic GH2
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH4
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH3 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic GH3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the GH3 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the SP-820UZ (1/2.3") and GH3 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The SP-820UZ was brought out at a similar time to the GH3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SP-820UZ matches up vs the GH3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic GH3

		

		

			
 SP-820UZ GH3 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

		

		

			
 GH3 SP-820UZ 
Manually focus  Very precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution614k460kSharper screen (+154k dot)
Selfie screen  Easy selfies
Touch screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic GH3

		

		

			
 SP-820UZ GH3 
ReleasedAugust 2012September 2012Same generation
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH3 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus SP-820UZ features outer dimensions of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) while the Panasonic GH3 has specifications of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") having a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).
Compare the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic GH3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the SP-820UZ and the GH3.
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH3 size comparison
Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-820UZ and GH3 is 69 and 66 respectively.
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH3 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH3 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
In many cases, it can be tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by seeing specifications. The picture underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-820UZ and GH3.
To sum up, the two cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SP-820UZ due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic GH3 will show more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively.
	
			Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH3 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography information
Panasonic GH3 Portrait photography information
34
 megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
 includes face detect focusing
 focusing manually not possible
 no manual control
 no external flash support
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW format
71
 you can focus manually
 MP count good (16 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 comes with face detect focus
 supports RAW files
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Street Comparison
Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography details
Panasonic GH3 Street photography details
37
 fixed screen
 no image stabilization
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW format
 more heavy than average (485g)
65
 screen articulates fully
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 supports RAW files
 supports touch to focus
 environment proof
 no image stabilization
 more heavy than average (550g)
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Sports Comparison
 Olympus SP-820UZ as a Sports photography camera
 Panasonic GH3 as a Sports photography camera
33
 great zoom range (22-896mm  40.7 x zoom)
 megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
 continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
 no shutter priority mode
 no image stabilization
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks phase detect AF
63
 high max frames per second (20.0 fps)
 MP count good (16MP)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 comes with tracking focus
 environment proof
 better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
 no image stabilization
 does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography details
Panasonic GH3 Travel photography details
55
 megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 relatively wide (22mm)
 long reach (896mm)
 does not have Timelapse function
 more heavy than average (485 grams)
 does not have a selfie friendly display
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
71
 better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
 environment proof
 supports touch to focus
 MP count good (16 megapixels)
 built-in flash
 screen is selfie friendly
 more heavy than average (550 grams)
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Landscape Comparison
 Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
 Panasonic GH3 as a Landscape photography camera
35
 relatively wide (22mm)
 screen is a good size (3 inches)
 megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
 focusing manually not possible
 can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
 no manual control
 no image stabilization
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW format
 does not have Timelapse function
71
 you can focus manually
 interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen size is good (3 inches)
 MP count good (16MP)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 supports RAW files
 environment proof
 better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
 no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison
 Olympus SP-820UZ as a Vlogging camera
 Panasonic GH3 as a Vlogging camera
25
 relatively wide (22mm)
 includes face detect focusing
 video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
 does not have a selfie friendly display
 no image stabilization
 does not have microphone socket
 more heavy than average (485 grams)
65
 screen is selfie friendly
 touchscreen functionality
 comes with face detect focus
 great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 comes with microphone socket
 no image stabilization
 more heavy than average (550g)
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GH3 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic GH3
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-08-21 2012-09-17
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine VII FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW pictures    
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Tracking autofocus    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detect focus    
Contract detect focus    
Phase detect focus    
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 22-896mm (40.7x) -
Max aperture f/3.4-5.7 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch capability    
Display tech TFT Color LCD OLED Monitor with static touch control
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,744k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.67x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash range 15.00 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash    
AEB    
White balance bracketing    
Max flash synchronize - 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
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 lb) 550 grams (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 71
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 812
Other
Battery life - 540 images
Type 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 shooting    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $299 $799