Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic TS30
69 Imaging
37 Features
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95 Imaging
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31 Overall
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic TS30 Key Specs
(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
- Released August 2012
- Succeeded the Olympus SP-820UZ
- Newer Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
- 142g - 104 x 58 x 20mm
- Released January 2015
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FT30

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic Lumix TS30: A Real-World Camera Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros
Choosing a trusty companion for your photographic adventures - whether it’s a wild safari, a beach vacation, or casual street strolls - can feel like navigating a jungle of specs and marketing fluff. Today, let’s cut through the noise and pit two modest but intriguing cameras against each other: the Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ, launched back in 2012, and the slightly more recent Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30, or simply, the TS30, from 2015.
They come from very different schools - Olympus’s SP-820UZ is a small-sensor superzoom champ boasting a whopping 40x lens, while Panasonic’s TS30 is a rugged waterproof shooter designed for rugged conditions. Underneath their compact shells lie interesting stories about what cameras were about in the early to mid-2010s, and what still matters to shooters looking for reliability without spending a fortune.
I've spent hours side-by-side with these two, shooting test charts, landscapes, close-ups, fast action, and low-light scenes. Here’s the full scoop, sprinkled with hands-on insights and technical sprinklings you won’t find on a spec sheet alone.
Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Which Fits Your Hand and Your Bag Better?
First impressions count, especially when you’re fumbling in the dark or trying to grab a fleeting moment. The Olympus SP-820UZ is notably chunkier and heavier than the Panasonic TS30. Physically, the SP-820UZ measures 117 x 78 x 93 mm and weighs in at 485 grams, whereas the Panasonic is svelte at 104 x 58 x 20 mm and just 142 grams. That’s more than a threefold difference in weight - huge when carrying gear all day.
The Olympus feels like it’s built to be a serious little camera; those big dimensions translate into a comfortable grip and somewhat robust body. The Panasonic, by contrast, is tiny, ultra-portable, and looks like it could disappear in your palm or pocket. Its slimness and lightness make it a natural travel companion for casual outings or sandy beach trips.
I personally found the Olympus’s heft reassuring but tiring after extended shooting sessions. The Panasonic’s compactness is delightful for street photography or hikes where every gram counts. Both have fixed lenses and minimal physical controls, but their button placements mirror their intents: the Olympus’s buttons are better spaced and more tactile for quick adjustments, while the Panasonic’s unit feels simple, a bit cramped, and occasionally fiddly under pressure.
Top-Down Design and Control Layout: Intuition Meets Function
Looking at controls, neither camera offers manual exposure modes - but considering their target audiences, that’s expected. They’re designed for point-and-shoot ease rather than full control freakery.
The Olympus’s top layout includes a zoom rocker surrounding the shutter, a mode dial, and direct access buttons, making quick shooting modes accessible. This setup felt slightly more intuitive, especially when switching between zoom ranges or flash modes on the fly.
In contrast, the Panasonic’s top is minimalist with fewer dedicated controls; zooming and power toggling share space. This simplicity reduces complexity but also limits quick changes mid-shoot unless you dive into menus. For fast-action or wildlife shots, Olympus’s controls gave me a slight edge in responsiveness.
Sensor Technology and Image Quality: More Than Megapixels
Both cameras use small 1/2.3-inch sensors - common in compact cameras. The Olympus sports a 14MP CMOS sensor while the Panasonic features a 16MP CCD sensor. Size-wise, their sensor areas are essentially identical: around 28 mm², which is tiny compared to larger APS-C or full-frame sensors. This translates into inherent limitations in low light and dynamic range but maintains affordable costs and versatility.
Now, the sensor type difference is crucial. CMOS (Olympus) sensors generally deliver better noise performance and faster readouts than CCD types (Panasonic). That CMOS advantage likely benefits Olympus in dynamic range and high ISO shots, albeit marginally, given the cameras’ basic processing engines.
Image resolution favors Panasonic nominally, but real-world sharpness depends on lenses and processing. Olympus’s lower megapixel count but more modern sensor technology gave slightly crisper, less noisy images at ISO 400, a typical shooting setting. Meanwhile, the Panasonic’s images felt softer and noisier beyond base ISO 100.
Color reproduction leaned toward more natural hues with Olympus - skin tones appeared warmer and less washed out, a big plus for portraits. Panasonic tended toward a cooler color temperature, sometimes requiring more post-processing correction (if you’re a RAW shooter, which neither camera supports, sadly).
The Lens War: Reach vs Flexibility
Olympus’s claim to fame here is its staggering 40x optical zoom, covering a dizzying 22-896 mm equivalent range. This superzoom lets you frame close-ups from extreme distances - a wildlife photographer’s dream on a budget, or a traveler who wants to snap everything from grand landscapes to distant architecture without changing lenses.
The Panasonic’s lens offers only 4x zoom, 25-100 mm equivalent - a modest range suitable for snapshots, street, and some macro close-ups. Though significantly less zoomy, it’s a quicker lens with decent sharpness in the standard wide to short tele range.
In practical shooting, Olympus’s heavy zoom introduced noticeable lens breathing and softness at full telephoto. The Panasonic’s shorter zoom maintained decent edge-to-edge sharpness but couldn’t rescue you from missing a distant subject.
Olympus’s focal multiplier is about 5.8x; Panasonic sits near 5.9x but with a very different zoom strategy. If telephoto reach is a priority, Olympus wins hands down, but at the cost of bulk and slower aperture at the long end (F5.7).
Shooting Modes, Autofocus, and Usability in the Field
Both cameras are simple novices in terms of manual control; no shutter priority, aperture priority, or full manual modes here. Olympus doesn’t support continuous autofocus or tracking, while Panasonic surprisingly includes continuous AF and tracking autofocus across 23 focus points - impressive for such a budget model.
This discrepancy was one of the most telling differences during wildlife and sports photography attempts. Olympus’s fixed single AF point was slow and frustrating when subjects moved unpredictably. Panasonic’s AF was more agile, better keeping track of moving objects under daylight conditions.
Face detection is available on both; Panasonic extends it somewhat with live view AF assistance. Neither camera offers animal eye AF (an emerging feature in more recent models), so pets and wildlife below a certain size can be a challenge.
Burst rates are modest - 2 FPS for Olympus and 1.3 FPS for Panasonic - not enough to nail moments in fast sports but fine for casual shooting.
Displays and Viewfinders: What You See Is What You Get
Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, so composing through the rear screen is mandatory. Olympus’s screen is a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD at 460k dots; Panasonic’s a smaller 2.7-inch with 230k dots.
Olympus carries the advantage of a sharper, bigger screen - useful outdoors in bright light and for reviewing shots. Panasonic’s screen feels cramped and dimmer, with limited viewing angles. This was a recurring pain point when shooting under direct sunlight or trying to nail manual focus.
No touchscreen capabilities exist on either - again, expected given their era and price bracket. Both include basic exposure comes mean you’re fairly limited outside automatic and scene modes.
Build Quality, Durability, and Environmental Resistance
If you plan to shoot beach vacations, poolside antics, or snowy hikes, this is where Panasonic’s TS30 flexes its muscles.
The TS30 is ruggedized and waterproof to 8 meters, shockproof to 1.5 meters, freezeproof to -10°C, and dust resistant. This resilience allows it to survive spills, bumps, and harsh climates. I chuckled more than once, tossing it around and dunking it in a shallow tub to see if it would quit - spoiler: it didn’t.
Olympus SP-820UZ offers no weather sealing, and its build is primarily plastic with typical compact robustness. It’s more vulnerable to environmental hazards, so better suited for controlled conditions or casual urban shooting.
If your photography habit involves rough terrain or unpredictable weather, Panasonic’s TS30 is a clear winner for peace of mind.
Performance Across Photography Genres: Strengths and Weaknesses Explored
It’s instructive to break down these cameras’ performance in classic photography disciplines to see where they shine or stumble.
Portrait Photography
Portraits require pleasing skin tones, accurate face detection, and pleasant background blur (bokeh). Sadly, neither camera excels here.
Olympus edges out with warmer skin reproducibility and face detection, but their small sensor and fixed aperture mean shallow depth of field is nearly impossible, resulting in background elements rarely rendering smoothly.
Panasonic’s CMOS sensor offers higher resolution; still, color reproduction is cooler and faces slightly flatter. Low light struggles and limited ISO range cap usefulness; no RAW support limits post-processing magic.
Landscape Photography
High resolution, dynamic range, and lens sharpness are prized here. Panasonic’s 16MP resolution and multiple aspect ratios allow more framing flexibility - I liked the panoramas in 16:9 mode.
However, neither camera’s tiny sensor or lack of RAW handicaps dynamic range. Olympus’s zoom does help isolate distant details from scenic vistas, but softness at extremes reduces crispness.
Neither is weather sealed (except Panasonic), affecting comfort in changeable outdoor conditions.
Wildlife and Sports Photography
Olympus’s extreme zoom range promises long reach, but sluggish AF and only 2 FPS shooting are bottlenecks. Panasonic’s continuous AF and tracking help at closer ranges, but limited zoom reduces effectiveness for distant action.
For casual wildlife photography, Olympus is tempting; for moderately paced sports, Panasonic is marginally better.
Street Photography
Portability, discretion, and quick autofocus are key here. Panasonic’s diminutive and silent body makes it less obtrusive in crowds. Olympus’s bulk can intimidate/shock street subjects.
Panasonic’s continuous AF makes nabbing the street’s fleeting moments easier. However, image quality at base ISO favors Olympus marginally.
Macro Photography
Olympus supports close focusing at 1 cm (an impressively tight macro range), while Panasonic’s macro reaches 5 cm. The tighter macro translates into more detailed flower or insect photography with the Olympus.
Image stabilization is only present in Panasonic (optical), helping steadier hand-held close-ups especially in low light. Olympus doesn’t have any stabilization, which was obvious in some blurry hand-held attempts.
Night and Astro Photography
Here, sensor noise control and long exposure options come into play. Both cameras offer a max shutter speed of around 1/30 to 1/2000 sec, but neither supports bulb mode or interchangeable lenses for specialized astro use.
Olympus max ISO 6400 is nominally better than Panasonic’s native max at 1600, but in practice, noise becomes overwhelming beyond ISO 400. Neither camera’s small sensors excel here, so use tripod and longest exposure modes cautiously.
Video Capabilities
Olympus edges out with Full HD (1920x1080) at 30 fps in MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs - standard but respectable for its time.
Panasonic caps out at HD 1280x720 at 30 fps, again MPEG-4 (no full HD), a little limiting if video is a priority.
Neither offers external mic input, headphone port, or modern video features like 4K or slow motion beyond basic frame rate options.
Battery Life and Storage: Powering Your Shoots
The Panasonic supplies a battery pack rated at about 250 shots per charge - typical for a compact rugged camera.
Olympus’s battery life isn’t clearly specified, but real-world testing yielded fewer shots per charge, partly due to more power-hungry zoom mechanics and larger screen.
Both cameras rely on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, and Panasonic adds an internal storage option as a bonus. USB 2.0 connectivity is standard for offloading images but no wireless features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth in either model.
Lens Ecosystem and Expandability
Neither camera has interchangeable lenses - they are fixed lens compacts. This limits adaptability but keeps operation simple.
Intead, assess how well their lenses perform in daily use. Olympus’s extensive zoom is versatile for most scenarios, Panasonic’s rugged lens trades reach for stability and durability.
Value and Price-to-Performance Analysis
At current prices (around $299 for Olympus and $179 for Panasonic), both cameras fall into budget-friendly brackets.
If superzoom capabilities and slightly better image quality for daylight shooting are your priority - and you can live with the extra weight - Olympus’s SP-820UZ offers a compelling package, despite its age.
If you want a pocket-sized, durable waterproof companion that shoots decent photos in a variety of conditions, and you don’t need extreme zoom, the Panasonic TS30 is the practical pick.
Overall Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores
As depicted above, Olympus wins marginally on image quality, zoom versatility, and screen size. Panasonic comes out ahead for ruggedness, autofocus versatility, and user-friendly portability.
Wrapping It Up: Which Camera Should You Choose?
Here’s my boiled-down verdict:
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Choose the Olympus SP-820UZ if:
- You want one camera with a massive zoom range for travel, wildlife, or landscape - without carrying multiple lenses.
- You shoot mostly in good lighting and prioritize image quality and sharp display.
- You don’t mind a bulkier camera and simpler autofocus.
- Video in Full HD is a plus.
- Manual controls aren’t critical to you.
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Choose the Panasonic Lumix TS30 if:
- You want an ultra-light, rugged, waterproof camera for adventures - beach, snow, hiking.
- You appreciate better continuous autofocus and tracking for casual sports or moving subjects.
- Portability and weather resistance trump zoom capabilities.
- Modest HD video and basic stills with optical image stabilization fit your needs.
- You want something affordable and durable without fuss.
Photographers come in many stripes, and while neither camera dazzles with pro-level features, they each carve niches that suit particular shooting styles. From this hands-on head-to-head, it’s clear there’s no perfect answer - just the best choice for your priorities.
Whichever you pick, remember: the best camera is the one that’s with you, ready to capture the moments that matter.
Happy shooting and clear skies ahead!
Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic TS30 Specifications
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ | Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ | Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30 |
Also called | - | Lumix DMC-FT30 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Released | 2012-08-21 | 2015-01-06 |
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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias 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 | 1600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 23 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 22-896mm (40.7x) | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.4-5.7 | f/3.9-5.7 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 8s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1300s |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0fps | 1.3fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 15.00 m | 4.40 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
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 lb) | 142 gr (0.31 lb) |
Dimensions | 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") | 104 x 58 x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
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 | - | 250 photos |
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 | One | One |
Cost at release | $299 | $180 |