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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ1 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
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Old Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • New Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
Photography Glossary

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Panasonic SZ1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is relatively similar and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was brought out 8 months later than the SZ1 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SP-820UZ grades vs the SZ1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic SZ1

 SP-820UZ SZ1 
AnnouncedAugust 2012January 2012Fresher by 8 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 SZ1 SP-820UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic SZ1

 SP-820UZ SZ1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-820UZ has physical dimensions of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Panasonic SZ1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SP-820UZ against the SZ1.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-820UZ and SZ1 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizing purely by going over specifications. The visual underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-820UZ and SZ1.

Plainly, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic SZ1 to offer extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The newer SP-820UZ will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography advice
34
resolution is good (14MP)
offers face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
34
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
37
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (485 grams)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography features
33
long zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ1
55
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (22mm)
long zoom (896mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (485g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
70
lighter than competition (131 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
35
decently wide (22mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
43
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
25
decently wide (22mm)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (485g)
32
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (131 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-08-21 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-896mm (40.7x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 15.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 485g (1.07 lbs) 131g (0.29 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 250 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $299 $179