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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax P70

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax P70 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
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Superseded the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Successor is Olympus SP-820UZ
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Revealed March 2009
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax P70 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Pentax P70, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the P70 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was unveiled 3 years later than the P70 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SP-820UZ scores vs the P70 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Pentax P70

 SP-820UZ P70 
RevealedAugust 2012March 2009More recent by 43 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 P70 SP-820UZ 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax P70

 SP-820UZ P70 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Olympus SP-820UZ features exterior measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) whilst the Pentax P70 has specifications of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Check the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Pentax P70 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SP-820UZ versus the P70.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-820UZ and P70 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor measurements just by looking at technical specs. The visual here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-820UZ and P70.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Olympus SP-820UZ to resolve greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent SP-820UZ will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Portrait photography with Pentax P70
34
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Street photography with Pentax P70
37
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competitors (485g)
47
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than others (155g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Sports photography with Pentax P70
33
long zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
17
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography advice
Pentax P70 Travel photography advice
55
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (22mm)
long zoom (896mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (485 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
56
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than others (155 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography info
Pentax P70 Landscape photography info
35
rather wide (22mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
32
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging factors
Pentax P70 Vlogging factors
25
rather wide (22mm)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone support
more heavy than competitors (485 grams)
25
really wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
more heavy than others (155g)
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax P70
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPentax Optio P70
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Pentax Optio P70
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2012-08-21 2009-03-02
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-896mm (40.7x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 15.00 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in -
External flash
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 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 485g (1.07 pounds) 155g (0.34 pounds)
Physical dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
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, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $299 $200