• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 22.00mm - 896.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Olympus SP-820UZ advantages over Panasonic GM1

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GM1 advantages over Olympus SP-820UZ

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.44 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    30 mm vs 93 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SP-820UZ

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GM1
Kit with 12-32mm Lens
All GM1 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Large Four Thirds sensor is impressive for a camera this small; Shares sensor and processor of GX7; Excellent image quality with class-leading high ISO performance; Responsive all-around performer; AF system is fast and accurate; Easy to use and responsive touchscreen; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Lightweight and pocketable design makes it easy to carry everywhere.

  • Can be awkward to use with larger lenses; Rear dial is easy to accidentally press; Lacks a hot-shoe for EVF or external flash; Weak built-in flash; 1/50s flash sync; No 1080p60 video; No external headphone jack or mic input.

  • Read our Panasonic GM1 Review

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 GM1
Nikon P500
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Nikon P500

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Olympus SP-820UZ
Canon SX520 HS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Canon SX520 HS

Panasonic GM1
Canon SX520 HS
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Canon SX520 HS

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic GM5
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GM1
Panasonic GM5
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Olympus SP-820UZ
Canon SX530 HS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Bulb shutter
  • $479
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Canon SX530 HS

Panasonic GM1
Canon SX530 HS
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $479
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Canon SX530 HS

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Olympus SP-820UZ
Panasonic GF7
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM1
Panasonic GF7
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GF7

Compare Other Cameras?