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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
69 Imaging
38 Features
29 Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96 Imaging
40 Features
29 Overall
35

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ3 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
  • Released August 2012
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Refreshed by Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Below is a complete comparison of the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is relatively similar and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was launched 4 months before the SZ3 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the SP-820UZ grades versus the SZ3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Panasonic SZ3

		

		

			
 SP-820UZ SZ3 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

		

		

			
 SZ3 SP-820UZ 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic SZ3

		

		

			
 SP-820UZ SZ3 
ReleasedAugust 2012January 2013Similar age
Manual focus  No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen  Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen  Missing Touch friendly screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-820UZ has exterior measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ3 has sizing of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).
Compare the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SP-820UZ compared to the SZ3.
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison
Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and SZ3 is 69 and 96 respectively.
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Usually, it is very hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements simply by going over a spec sheet. The visual below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-820UZ and SZ3.
As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic SZ3 to offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively.
	
			Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography advice
34
 decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
 comes with face detection focus
 focusing manually not possible
 manual exposure not possible
 external flash not possible
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW support
30
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 manual focus not available
 no manual mode
 external flash not possible
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison
 Olympus SP-820UZ as a Street photography camera
 Panasonic SZ3 as a Street photography camera
37
 no articulating screen
 does not have image stabilization
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW support
 heavier than others in class (485g)
64
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competition in class (126g)
 fixed screen
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison
Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography details
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography details
33
 excellent zoom range (22-896mm  40.7 x zoom)
 decent megapixels (14MP)
 slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
 no shutter priority
 does not have image stabilization
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have phase detect auto focus
41
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 has tracking autofocus
 very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography features
55
 decent megapixels (14MP)
 has built in flash
 rather wide (22mm)
 very long reach (896mm)
 doesn't have Time Lapse recording
 heavier than others in class (485 grams)
 screen is not selfie friendly
 sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
71
 lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
 MP count decent (16MP)
 has built in flash
 rather wide (25mm)
 great reach (250mm)
 lack of Time Lapse function
 doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
 slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography advice
35
 rather wide (22mm)
 decent sized screen (3")
 decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
 focusing manually not possible
 can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
 manual exposure not possible
 does not have image stabilization
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW support
 doesn't have Time Lapse recording
39
 rather wide (25mm)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count decent (16MP)
 manual focus not available
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
 screen is small (2.7 inch)
 no manual mode
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW files
 lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging highlights
25
 rather wide (22mm)
 comes with face detection focus
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
 screen is not selfie friendly
 does not have image stabilization
 doesn't have external mic port
 heavier than others in class (485 grams)
31
 rather wide (25mm)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competition in class (126g)
 slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
 doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
 video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
 lack of external mic support
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Panasonic SZ3
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-08-21 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 and  16:9 -
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format    
Autofocusing
Manual focusing    
AF touch    
Continuous AF    
AF single    
AF tracking    
Selective AF    
AF center weighted    
AF multi area    
AF live view    
Face detection focusing    
Contract detection focusing    
Phase detection focusing    
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-896mm (40.7x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch screen    
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Change WB    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash distance 15.00 m 4.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest 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
Environmental sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 485 gr (1.07 lbs) 126 gr (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 - 250 photographs
Form 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
Price at launch $299 $150