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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-3 II 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
  • Announced August 2012
  • Previous Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • New Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-3 II, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the SP-820UZ (1/2.3") and K-3 II (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SP-820UZ was brought out 3 years before the K-3 II and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SP-820UZ scores versus the K-3 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Pentax K-3 II

 SP-820UZ K-3 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 K-3 II SP-820UZ 
RevealedApril 2015August 2012More recent by 32 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax K-3 II

 SP-820UZ K-3 II 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-820UZ has got physical measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 II has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-3 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SP-820UZ versus the K-3 II.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-820UZ and K-3 II is 69 and 59 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading a spec sheet. The photograph here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-820UZ and K-3 II.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SP-820UZ due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax K-3 II will offer extra detail having its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older SP-820UZ is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography details
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography details
34
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
79
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Street photography camera
37
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (485g)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography features
Pentax K-3 II Sports photography features
33
incredible zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
bad battery (720 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Travel photography camera
55
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (22mm)
great reach (896mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (485g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
56
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
bad battery (720 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
35
pretty wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
bad battery (720 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging advice
Pentax K-3 II Vlogging advice
25
pretty wide (22mm)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (485 grams)
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax K-3 II
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPentax K-3 II
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Pentax K-3 II
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-08-21 2015-04-23
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 22-896mm (40.7x) -
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.7 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 8.3 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 15.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 485g (1.07 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.6
DXO Low light score not tested 1106
Other
Battery life - 720 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 2
Price at launch $299 $829