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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ30

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ30 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
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • New Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Older Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • Updated by Panasonic LZ40
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ30 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Panasonic LZ30, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the LZ30 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was revealed 4 months prior to the LZ30 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SP-820UZ grades vs the LZ30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic LZ30

 SP-820UZ LZ30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 LZ30 SP-820UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic LZ30

 SP-820UZ LZ30 
IntroducedAugust 2012January 2013Same age
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and size. The Olympus SP-820UZ offers external measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") and a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LZ30 has specifications of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Panasonic LZ30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view scale comparison of the SP-820UZ against the LZ30.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ30 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and LZ30 is 69 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing simply by viewing technical specs. The graphic here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-820UZ and LZ30.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can expect the Panasonic LZ30 to render greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ30 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ30
34
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
32
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography advice
Panasonic LZ30 Street photography advice
37
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competitors in class (485 grams)
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competition in class (552 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Sports photography with Panasonic LZ30
33
great zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
47
long zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
great battery power (380 shots)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Travel photography camera
55
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (22mm)
great zoom (896mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (485g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
56
great battery power (380 per charge)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (875mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (552g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography details
Panasonic LZ30 Landscape photography details
35
rather wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
45
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
great battery power (380 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Vlogging camera
25
rather wide (22mm)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (485 grams)
22
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
heavier than competition in class (552g)
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic LZ30
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-08-21 2013-01-07
Physical type 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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-896mm (40.7x) 25-875mm (35.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 15.00 m 4.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 485 grams (1.07 lbs) 552 grams (1.22 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs
Type of battery - AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 0r 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $299 $230