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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ40

Portability
69 Imaging
38 Features
29 Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
Portability
67 Imaging
45 Features
35 Overall
41

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ40 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
  • Replaced the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • New Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Old Model is Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ40 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic LZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and LZ40 (20MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was released 16 months prior to the LZ40 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SP-820UZ scores against the LZ40 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary 
	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic LZ40

		

		

			
 SP-820UZ LZ40 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

		

		

			
 LZ40 SP-820UZ 
RevealedJanuary 2014August 2012More modern by 16 months
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic LZ40

		

		

			
 SP-820UZ LZ40 
Manually focus  No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen  Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen  Neither offers Touch screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ40 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-820UZ offers outer 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 LZ40 has dimensions of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") along with a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs).
Look at the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic LZ40 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SP-820UZ against the LZ40.
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ40 size comparison
Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-820UZ and LZ40 is 69 and 67 respectively.
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ40 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ40 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
More often than not, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes only by going over technical specs. The picture here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-820UZ and LZ40.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic LZ40 to offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged SP-820UZ is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.
	
			Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ40 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
 Olympus SP-820UZ as a Portrait photography camera
 Panasonic LZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
34
 good MP (14 megapixels)
 includes face detect autofocus
 lack of manual focus
 no manual exposure
 cannot use external flash
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
40
 megapixel count decent (20MP)
 features face detect focus
 manual focus not available
 no external flash support
 small sensor (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison
Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography information
Panasonic LZ40 Street photography information
37
 screen is fixed
 no image stabilization
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
 heavier than competitors (485 grams)
45
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 no articulating screen
 small sensor (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
 more heavy than competition (524 grams)
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Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Sports photography with Panasonic LZ40
33
 incredible zoom range (22-896mm  40.7 x zoom)
 good MP (14 megapixels)
 slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
 no shutter priority
 no image stabilization
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 does not have phase detect autofocus
47
 incredible zoom range (22-924mm  42.0 x zoom)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
 features tracking focus
 slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
 no shutter priority mode
 small sensor (1/2.3")
 does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography features
Panasonic LZ40 Travel photography features
55
 good MP (14MP)
 flash built-in
 decently wide (22mm)
 long zoom (896mm)
 does not have Time Lapse function
 heavier than competitors (485g)
 does not contain selfie friendly display
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
55
 megapixel count decent (20MP)
 flash built-in
 reasonably wide (22mm)
 very long reach (924mm)
 doesn't have Timelapse function
 more heavy than competition (524g)
 screen is not selfie friendly
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography details
Panasonic LZ40 Landscape photography details
35
 decently wide (22mm)
 pretty good screen size (3")
 good MP (14MP)
 lack of manual focus
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
 no manual exposure
 no image stabilization
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
 does not have Time Lapse function
44
 reasonably wide (22mm)
 nice screen size (3 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 megapixel count decent (20MP)
 manual focus not available
 can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
 small sensor (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
 doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison
Vlogging with Olympus SP-820UZ
Vlogging with Panasonic LZ40
25
 decently wide (22mm)
 includes face detect autofocus
 high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
 does not contain selfie friendly display
 no image stabilization
 does not have mic jack
 heavier than competitors (485g)
27
 reasonably wide (22mm)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 features face detect focus
 has microphone support
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
 screen is not selfie friendly
 low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
 more heavy than competition (524 grams)
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic LZ40 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic LZ40
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-08-21 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 20MP
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files    
Autofocusing
Manual focusing    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Autofocus single    
Autofocus tracking    
Selective autofocus    
Center weighted autofocus    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detection focus    
Contract detection focus    
Phase detection focus    
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-896mm (40.7x) 22-924mm (42.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch display    
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance 15.00 m 10.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
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 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 485g (1.07 lb) 524g (1.16 lb)
Dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7")
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 - 320 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording    
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $299 $219