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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Samsung HZ15W 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
  • Superseded the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Later Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Also referred to as WB550
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Samsung HZ15W, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was manufactured 3 years after the HZ15W which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the SP-820UZ scores against the HZ15W in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Samsung HZ15W

 SP-820UZ HZ15W 
AnnouncedAugust 2012February 2009Newer by 43 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 HZ15W SP-820UZ 
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Samsung HZ15W

 SP-820UZ HZ15W 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SP-820UZ features 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) while the Samsung HZ15W has specifications of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Samsung HZ15W in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SP-820UZ versus the HZ15W.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-820UZ and HZ15W is 69 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specifications. The pic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-820UZ and HZ15W.

Plainly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus SP-820UZ to produce extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics more aggressively. The more modern SP-820UZ is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography information
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography information
34
decent MP (14 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
32
has manual focus
features face detection autofocus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Street photography with Samsung HZ15W
37
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than others (485 grams)
53
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than competition in class (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
33
amazing zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
27
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography features
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography features
55
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (22mm)
very long reach (896mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others (485g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
54
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (249g)
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography information
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography information
35
rather wide (22mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
41
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging features
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging features
25
rather wide (22mm)
features face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone support
more heavy than others (485g)
29
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
heavier than competition in class (249g)
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Samsung HZ15W
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZSamsung HZ15W
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Samsung HZ15W
Also called as - WB550
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-08-21 2009-02-23
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 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-896mm (40.7x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 16 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 15.00 m 4.70 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 grams (1.07 lbs) 249 grams (0.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $299 $330