• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 22.00mm - 896.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SP-820UZ advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    896 mm vs 720 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Olympus SP-820UZ

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 93 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    240g vs 485g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 14.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    6 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P500

Olympus SP-820UZ
Nikon P500
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Nikon P500

Panasonic ZS40
Nikon P500
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Nikon P500

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Olympus SP-820UZ
Canon SX700 HS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Wider angle lens
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX700 HS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX700 HS

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Olympus SP-820UZ
Canon SX520 HS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Canon SX520 HS

Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX520 HS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX520 HS

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Olympus SP-820UZ
Canon SX530 HS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Bulb shutter
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Canon SX530 HS

Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX530 HS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX530 HS

Compared to Canon SX710 HS

Olympus SP-820UZ
Canon SX710 HS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Canon SX710 HS

Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX710 HS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX710 HS

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