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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 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
  • Older Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • New Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Renewed by Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the LZ20 (16MP) is pretty well matched and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was introduced 2 months later than the LZ20 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SP-820UZ grades vs the LZ20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic LZ20

 SP-820UZ LZ20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 LZ20 SP-820UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic LZ20

 SP-820UZ LZ20 
AnnouncedAugust 2012July 2012Similar generation
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-820UZ comes with exterior dimensions 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 LZ20 has proportions of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is the front view size comparison of the SP-820UZ compared to the LZ20.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and LZ20 is 69 and 71 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through specifications. The graphic below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-820UZ and LZ20.

Plainly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic LZ20 to give more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic LZ20 Portrait photography highlights
34
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
36
decent MP (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography info
Panasonic LZ20 Street photography info
37
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition (485g)
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than average (499g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Sports photography with Panasonic LZ20
33
excellent zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
long zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography factors
Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography factors
55
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (22mm)
long zoom (896mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (485 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
58
better than average battery life (380 shots)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (525mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (499 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Landscape photography camera
35
reasonably wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
45
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
better than average battery life (380 shots)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging information
Panasonic LZ20 Vlogging information
25
reasonably wide (22mm)
supports face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external mic support
heavier than competition (485g)
25
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic jack
heavier than average (499g)
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic LZ20
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-08-21 2012-07-18
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
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
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-896mm (40.7x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 15.00 m 6.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 gr (1.07 lb) 499 gr (1.10 lb)
Dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 380 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $299 $250