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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.

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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
Photography Glossary

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