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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LS5 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
  • Old Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • New Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LS5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was brought out 14 months after the LS5 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SP-820UZ grades vs the LS5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic LS5

 SP-820UZ LS5 
AnnouncedAugust 2012July 2011More modern by 14 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 LS5 SP-820UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic LS5

 SP-820UZ LS5 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-820UZ offers outer measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") and a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) while the Panasonic LS5 has sizing of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LS5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the SP-820UZ compared to the LS5.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and LS5 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes purely by going through specifications. The picture underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-820UZ and LS5.

Plainly, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of images however you will want to take the release date of the cameras into account. The younger SP-820UZ will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography factors
Panasonic LS5 Portrait photography factors
34
good MP (14MP)
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
33
good resolution (14MP)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography features
Panasonic LS5 Street photography features
37
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competition (485g)
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Sports photography camera
33
incredible zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
good MP (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (160 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Travel photography with Panasonic LS5
55
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (22mm)
very long zoom (896mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (485g)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
65
lighter than others (126g)
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (160 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Landscape photography camera
35
decently wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3")
good MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse recording
36
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery power (160 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Vlogging camera
25
decently wide (22mm)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no microphone support
more heavy than competition (485g)
32
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than others (126g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic LS5
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-08-21 2011-07-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-896mm (40.7x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 15.00 m 4.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 485 grams (1.07 lb) 126 grams (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 160 images
Form of battery - AA
Battery model - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $299 $294