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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GX1

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
54
Overall
52

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GX1 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
  • Announced August 2012
  • Older Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic GX1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 318g - 116 x 68 x 39mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GX7
Photography Glossary

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GX1 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GX1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the GX1 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the SP-820UZ (1/2.3") and GX1 (Four Thirds) use different sensor sizing.

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The SP-820UZ was revealed 7 months later than the GX1 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GX1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the SP-820UZ matches up against the GX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic GX1

 SP-820UZ GX1 
ReleasedAugust 2012February 2012More recent by 7 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX1 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 GX1 SP-820UZ 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic GX1

 SP-820UZ GX1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GX1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SP-820UZ comes with outside measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) while the Panasonic GX1 has specifications of 116mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") having a weight of 318 grams (0.70 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GX1 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 based on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SP-820UZ against the GX1.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GX1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and GX1 is 69 and 87 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements just by going through technical specs. The photograph below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-820UZ and GX1.

As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SP-820UZ using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Panasonic GX1 will show extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more recent SP-820UZ should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography advice
Panasonic GX1 Portrait photography advice
34
good megapixels (14MP)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography information
Panasonic GX1 Street photography information
37
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competition in class (485 grams)
70
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
includes touch to focus
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography features
Panasonic GX1 Sports photography features
33
amazing zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
47
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery power (300 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography info
Panasonic GX1 Travel photography info
55
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (22mm)
very long zoom (896mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (485g)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
65
includes touch to focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery power (300 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography info
Panasonic GX1 Landscape photography info
35
decently wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3")
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
62
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
bad battery power (300 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging advice
Panasonic GX1 Vlogging advice
25
decently wide (22mm)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic jack
heavier than competition in class (485 grams)
32
touchscreen enabled
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic port
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic GX1
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-08-21 2012-02-14
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine FHD
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 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3448
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 160
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 22-896mm (40.7x) -
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.7 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 15.00 m 7.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 pounds) 318 grams (0.70 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 116 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 55
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 703
Other
Battery life - 300 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $299 $228