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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX5

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX5 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
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Superseded the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Successor is Olympus SP-820UZ
Sony HX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Announced June 2010
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX5 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and HX5 (10MP) and the SP-820UZ (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The SP-820UZ was unveiled 2 years later than the HX5 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SP-820UZ scores against the HX5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Sony HX5

 SP-820UZ HX5 
AnnouncedAugust 2012June 2010Fresher by 27 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 HX5 SP-820UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony HX5

 SP-820UZ HX5 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-820UZ features outside 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 HX5 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the SP-820UZ against the HX5.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and HX5 is 69 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through technical specs. The photograph below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-820UZ and HX5.

As you have seen, both the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SP-820UZ using its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Olympus SP-820UZ will render extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The fresher SP-820UZ will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Portrait photography with Sony HX5
34
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
19
no manual focus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.4")
no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Street photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Street photography camera
37
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than competitors (485 grams)
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.4")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography highlights
Sony HX5 Sports photography highlights
33
amazing zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.4")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography factors
Sony HX5 Travel photography factors
55
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (22mm)
long zoom (896mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (485 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
60
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Landscape photography camera
35
decently wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3")
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse function
37
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.4")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging factors
Sony HX5 Vlogging factors
25
decently wide (22mm)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no microphone jack
more heavy than competitors (485g)
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony HX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony HX5
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-08-21 2010-06-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 3456 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-896mm (40.7x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 15.00 m 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 485 grams (1.07 lbs) 200 grams (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $299 $275