• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 22.00mm - 896.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SP-820UZ advantages over Panasonic SZ3

  • More telephoto lens reach
    896 mm vs 250 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    22 mm vs 25 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.0 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic SZ3 advantages over Olympus SP-820UZ

  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 93 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    126g vs 485g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 14.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
Panasonic SZ3
Nikon P500
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon A4000 IS

Olympus SP-820UZ
Canon A4000 IS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
Panasonic SZ3
Canon A4000 IS
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compared to Canon 150 IS

Olympus SP-820UZ
Canon 150 IS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
Panasonic SZ3
Canon 150 IS
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

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
Panasonic SZ3
Canon SX520 HS
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

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
Panasonic SZ3
Canon SX530 HS
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
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