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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Superseded the Leica V-Lux 3
  • Successor is Leica V-Lux 5
Olympus SP-590 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 413g - 116 x 84 x 81mm
  • Launched January 2009
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SP-590 UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Leica and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and the SP-590 UZ (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The V-Lux 4 was launched 3 years after the SP-590 UZ which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the V-Lux 4 matches up vs the SP-590 UZ with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 V-Lux 4 SP-590 UZ 
LaunchedSeptember 2012January 2009More modern by 45 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Leica V-Lux 4

 SP-590 UZ V-Lux 4 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 V-Lux 4 SP-590 UZ 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Leica V-Lux 4 features outer measurements of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") with a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Olympus SP-590 UZ has proportions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

Analyze the Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SP-590 UZ in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the V-Lux 4 and the SP-590 UZ.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 4 and SP-590 UZ is 65 and 72 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes simply by looking at technical specs. The picture underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the V-Lux 4 and SP-590 UZ.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of files though you have to factor the production date of the products into consideration. The newer V-Lux 4 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Portrait photography information
Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography information
45
manual focus
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
36
manual focus
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Street photography details
Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography details
57
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (588g)
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography highlights
Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography highlights
46
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery power (540 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
38
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
55
better than average battery power (540 per charge)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (588g)
low MP (12MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
weather sealing
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography details
Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography details
48
manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (540 per charge)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse mode
45
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Vlogging highlights
Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging highlights
63
fairly wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone jack
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competition (588 grams)
24
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing microphone support
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Leica V-Lux 4Olympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Brand Leica Olympus
Model type Leica V-Lux 4 Olympus SP-590 UZ
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-09-17 2009-01-07
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS 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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3968 x 2976
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,312k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.50 m 8.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 588 gr (1.30 lbs) 413 gr (0.91 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2")
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 540 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $899 $249