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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony S950

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony S950 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
  • Old Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-820UZ
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony S950 Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony S950, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and S950 (10MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was launched 3 years later than the S950 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SP-820UZ scores versus the S950 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Sony S950

 SP-820UZ S950 
LaunchedAugust 2012February 2009Fresher by 43 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 S950 SP-820UZ 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony S950

 SP-820UZ S950 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-820UZ offers outer measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) and the Sony S950 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony S950 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SP-820UZ versus the S950.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony S950 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and S950 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by checking specifications. The visual below may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-820UZ and S950.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Olympus SP-820UZ to give you more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The more recent SP-820UZ should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography features
Sony S950 Portrait photography features
34
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
26
has manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography details
Sony S950 Street photography details
37
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competitors in class (485 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography factors
Sony S950 Sports photography factors
33
long zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography details
Sony S950 Travel photography details
55
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (22mm)
great zoom (896mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (485 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
50
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Landscape photography with Sony S950
35
reasonably wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse function
31
has manual focus
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging features
Sony S950 Vlogging features
25
reasonably wide (22mm)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone port
more heavy than competitors in class (485g)
9
can't record video
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony S950
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-08-21 2009-02-17
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-896mm (40.7x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 15.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 485 gr (1.07 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $299 $130