Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-5

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is pretty close but the SP-820UZ (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The SP-820UZ was unveiled 21 months later than the K-5 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SP-820UZ matches up against the K-5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ and Pentax K-5. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SP-820UZ Gallery and Pentax K-5 Gallery.

When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and size. The Olympus SP-820UZ comes with outside dimensions of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SP-820UZ versus the K-5.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and K-5 is 69 and 60 respectively.

Usually, its tough to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-820UZ and K-5.

Clearly, the 2 cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SP-820UZ having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-5 will render more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more recent SP-820UZ is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.