Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GM5

Its time to examine more closely at the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic GM5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the GM5 (16MP) is fairly similar but the SP-820UZ (1/2.3") and GM5 (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SP-820UZ was released 3 years prior to the GM5 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GM5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SP-820UZ scores against the GM5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5. The complete galleries are available at Olympus SP-820UZ Gallery & Panasonic GM5 Gallery.

If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SP-820UZ provides exterior 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) and the Panasonic GM5 has specifications of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic GM5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the SP-820UZ compared to the GM5.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and GM5 is 69 and 91 respectively.

Usually, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading specs. The graphic underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-820UZ and GM5.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SP-820UZ because of its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Panasonic GM5 will offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The older SP-820UZ is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.