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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony A850

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony A850 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
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Succeeded the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Updated by Olympus SP-820UZ
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Introduced April 2010
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony A850 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony A850, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and A850 (25MP) and the SP-820UZ (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) have different sensor dimensions.

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The SP-820UZ was unveiled 2 years later than the A850 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SP-820UZ scores versus the A850 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Sony A850

 SP-820UZ A850 
IntroducedAugust 2012April 2010Fresher by 29 months

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 A850 SP-820UZ 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony A850

 SP-820UZ A850 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SP-820UZ offers physical 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) whilst the Sony A850 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony A850 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SP-820UZ compared to the A850.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and A850 is 69 and 54 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-820UZ and A850.

Clearly, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SP-820UZ with its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Sony A850 will offer more detail having an extra 11MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The younger SP-820UZ should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography details
Sony A850 Portrait photography details
34
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
72
has manual focus
fantastic megapixels (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography information
Sony A850 Street photography information
37
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (485 grams)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Sports photography with Sony A850
33
incredible zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography factors
Sony A850 Travel photography factors
55
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (22mm)
very long reach (896mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (485 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
55
environment proof
fantastic megapixels (25 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography factors
Sony A850 Landscape photography factors
35
really wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
no liveview feature
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging advice
Sony A850 Vlogging advice
25
really wide (22mm)
comes with face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (485g)
9
can't record video
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony A850
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZSony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-08-21 2010-04-15
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 22-896mm (40.7x) -
Max aperture f/3.4-5.7 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 15.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 485g (1.07 lbs) 895g (1.97 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1415
Other
Battery life - 880 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots One 2
Cost at launch $299 $0