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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX30V

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX30V 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
  • Announced August 2012
  • Previous Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • New Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced February 2012
  • Older Model is Sony HX20V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX50V
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX30V Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and HX30V (18MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was revealed 6 months later than the HX30V so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SP-820UZ scores against the HX30V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Sony HX30V

 SP-820UZ HX30V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 HX30V SP-820UZ 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony HX30V

 SP-820UZ HX30V 
AnnouncedAugust 2012February 2012Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-820UZ enjoys outer dimensions of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) and the Sony HX30V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony HX30V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view size comparison of the SP-820UZ compared to the HX30V.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and HX30V is 69 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-820UZ and HX30V.

Clearly, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony HX30V to result in more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography info
Sony HX30V Portrait photography info
34
good resolution (14MP)
supports face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
45
manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography advice
Sony HX30V Street photography advice
37
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than competition (485 grams)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography highlights
Sony HX30V Sports photography highlights
33
excellent zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography features
Sony HX30V Travel photography features
55
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (22mm)
very long zoom (896mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (485 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
69
lighter than competition (254g)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Landscape photography camera
35
decently wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
50
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging highlights
Sony HX30V Vlogging highlights
25
decently wide (22mm)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than competition (485 grams)
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (254g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony HX30V
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-08-21 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-896mm (40.7x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 15.00 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 485g (1.07 lbs) 254g (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Battery life - 320 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $299 $420