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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax Q

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Olympus SP-820UZ
(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
  • Launched August 2012
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Successor is Olympus SP-820UZ
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Newer Model is Pentax Q10
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax Q Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax Q, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the Q (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was revealed 15 months after the Q which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SP-820UZ grades versus the Q when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 SP-820UZ Q 
ReleasedAugust 2012June 2011Newer by 15 months

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

 Q SP-820UZ 
Focus manually More accurate focus

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

 SP-820UZ Q 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-820UZ enjoys outside 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) and the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Check the Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax Q in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SP-820UZ versus the Q.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax Q size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SP-820UZ and Q is 69 and 93 respectively.

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

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by going through technical specs. The image underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-820UZ and Q.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Olympus SP-820UZ to show extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern SP-820UZ provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography advice
Pentax Q Portrait photography advice
34
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
45
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Street photography with Pentax Q
37
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than competition (485 grams)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography details
Pentax Q Sports photography details
33
excellent zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
resolution is good (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (230 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Travel photography with Pentax Q
55
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (22mm)
very long reach (896mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (485 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
57
lighter than competitors in class (180g)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery (230 per charge)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
35
fairly wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse function
51
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (230 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging advice
Pentax Q Vlogging advice
25
fairly wide (22mm)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (485 grams)
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of microphone port
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax Q
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPentax Q
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Pentax Q
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-08-21 2011-06-23
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 22-896mm (40.7x) -
Max aperture f/3.4-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 15.00 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 485g (1.07 lbs) 180g (0.40 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 189
Other
Battery life - 230 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $299 $695