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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W230

Portability
69
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W230 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
  • Released August 2012
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Later Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W230 Overview

Here is a thorough assessment of the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Sony W230, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was introduced 3 years later than the W230 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SP-820UZ grades against the W230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Sony W230

 SP-820UZ W230 
IntroducedAugust 2012February 2009Fresher by 43 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 W230 SP-820UZ 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony W230

 SP-820UZ W230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-820UZ enjoys outer dimensions of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") and a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) while the Sony W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Sony W230 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the SP-820UZ and the W230.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W230 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-820UZ and W230 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing simply by looking through specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-820UZ and W230.

All in all, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Olympus SP-820UZ to provide you with more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more modern SP-820UZ is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography info
Sony W230 Portrait photography info
33
MP count decent (14MP)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
focusing manually
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography factors
Sony W230 Street photography factors
37
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than average in class (485 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Sports photography camera
Sony W230 as a Sports photography camera
32
excellent zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography information
Sony W230 Travel photography information
55
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (22mm)
very long zoom (896mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (485 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography info
Sony W230 Landscape photography info
35
reasonably wide (22mm)
decent sized screen (3")
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
36
focusing manually
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-820UZ
Vlogging with Sony W230
25
reasonably wide (22mm)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (485 grams)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic port
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony W230
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZSony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-08-21 2009-02-17
Body design 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias 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
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-896mm (40.7x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 1s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 15.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 485g (1.07 lbs) 156g (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $299 $180