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Panasonic SZ1 vs Samsung SL820

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Samsung SL820 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Panasonic SZ1 vs Samsung SL820 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Samsung SL820
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 168g - 95 x 59 x 23mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as IT100
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Samsung SL820 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Panasonic SZ1 and Samsung SL820, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Panasonic and Samsung. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and SL820 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was released 2 years after the SL820 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SZ1 matches up against the SL820 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Samsung SL820

 SZ1 SL820 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2009Newer by 36 months

Reasons to pick Samsung SL820 over the Panasonic SZ1

 SL820 SZ1 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Samsung SL820

 SZ1 SL820 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic SZ1 vs Samsung SL820 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 offers outer measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Samsung SL820 has dimensions of 95mm x 59mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ1 and Samsung SL820 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the SZ1 against the SL820.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Samsung SL820 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and SL820 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Samsung SL820 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Samsung SL820 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing technical specs. The picture below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ1 and SL820.

As you can tell, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic SZ1 to show greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more modern SZ1 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Samsung SL820 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Samsung SL820 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Samsung SL820 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography advice
Samsung SL820 Portrait photography advice
34
good MP (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
26
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography highlights
Samsung SL820 Street photography highlights
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (131g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography details
Samsung SL820 Sports photography details
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
17
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography highlights
Samsung SL820 Travel photography highlights
70
lighter than competition in class (131g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography advice
Samsung SL820 Landscape photography advice
43
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
32
really wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging factors
Samsung SL820 Vlogging factors
32
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
28
really wide (28mm)
supports face detect autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone port
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ1 vs Samsung SL820 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Samsung SL820
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Samsung SL820
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Samsung SL820
Also referred to as - IT100
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-01-09 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focusing range 4cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 4.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Auto & Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Fill-in Flash, Flash Off, Red-Eye Fix
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 131g (0.29 pounds) 168g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 95 x 59 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.3" 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
Battery life 250 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID - SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $179 $280