• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Olympus SP-720UZ advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More pixels
    14.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    8 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Olympus SP-720UZ

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 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
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Olympus SP-720UZ

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Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • Read our Panasonic GF5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm S2950

Olympus SP-720UZ
Fujifilm S2950
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs Fujifilm S2950

Panasonic GF5
Fujifilm S2950
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Fujifilm S2950

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Olympus SP-720UZ
Olympus E-PM1
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Olympus SP-720UZ
Panasonic GF3X
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More pixels
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Olympus SP-620UZ

Olympus SP-720UZ
Olympus SP-620UZ
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs Olympus SP-620UZ

Panasonic GF5
Olympus SP-620UZ
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus SP-620UZ

Compared to Nikon L810

Olympus SP-720UZ
Nikon L810
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bulb shutter
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs Nikon L810

Panasonic GF5
Nikon L810
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Nikon L810

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