Leica V-Lux 5 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ: A Deep Dive into Two Superzoom Bridge Cameras

Choosing your next camera often involves balancing versatility, image quality, and user experience. Today, we’re examining two large zoom-range bridge-style cameras - the Leica V-Lux 5 and the Olympus SP-590 UZ - to help you understand their capabilities and which one fits your photography aspirations best. Both cameras offer impressive focal ranges but cater to very different users and shooting styles. We've spent considerable time testing and comparing their specs, handling, and outputs across photography disciplines to give you an informed perspective.

Let’s begin by exploring the physical dimensions and ergonomic designs that set the tone for your shooting experience.

A Matter of Size: Handling and Ergonomics in Real Use

When selecting a camera, comfort and usability are often overlooked but pivotal factors during extended photo sessions - whether on a landscape hike or a sports event.

The Leica V-Lux 5 is the heftier, more solidly built camera, tipping the scales at just over 800 grams. This extra weight contributes to a substantial hand feel and offers steadiness during handheld shooting, especially at longer focal lengths. The fully articulated touchscreen aids composition from tricky angles, walking you through creative framing options for video and stills alike.

On the other hand, the Olympus SP-590 UZ is noticeably more compact and lighter. Weighing less than half the Leica’s weight, it’s easier to carry for extended periods, making it attractive for travel and casual outings. However, its fixed, low-resolution LCD limits flexibility with angles and responsiveness.

Overall, if you prioritize rugged ergonomics for prolonged shoots and varied compositions, the V-Lux 5 offers an advantage. For lighter carry and simplicity, the SP-590 UZ suffices but with compromises in comfort and interface finesse.

Sensor Sizes and Image Quality: Why Bigger Matters Here

The sensor is the heart of any camera, turning photons into images that define your creative vision. The sensor size, resolution, and technology heavily influence image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance.

The Leica V-Lux 5 employs a larger 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor - around four times the surface area of the Olympus’s 1/2.3" CCD sensor. This difference yields tangible improvements:

• Dynamic range: The bigger sensor captures a broader tonal longitude, preserving both shadows and highlights, especially valuable in landscape and portraiture.
• Noise performance: BSI-CMOS technology excels at gathering light efficiently, resulting in cleaner high ISO images, crucial for low-light, indoor, and event photography.
• Resolution: The V-Lux 5’s 20 MP sensor delivers sharper images with better detail retention, especially noticeable in prints or large crops.

Conversely, the Olympus SP-590 UZ’s smaller CCD sensor and lower 12 MP count limit its performance in challenging lighting and reduce flexibility in cropping or large-sized prints.

If your work demands higher image fidelity, especially in variable lighting or print-centric usage, the Leica V-Lux 5 is clearly superior.

Bringing the Interface to Life: Display and Viewfinder Usability

User interface design significantly impacts how effectively you can operate a camera in real-world shooting conditions.

The V-Lux 5 impresses with a vibrant, high-resolution, articulated touchscreen. This flexible display not only makes live previewing easier but also enhances menu navigation and focus point selection through touch, especially useful for quick adjustments on the fly.

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasts a high 2360k dots resolution and 100% coverage, ensuring clear, precise framing even in bright daylight when LCD visibility is compromised.

By contrast, the SP-590 UZ offers a basic fixed 2.7-inch LCD with low resolution and no touchscreen capabilities, limiting user-friendliness. Its electronic viewfinder lacks detailed info and coverage specs, representing a more budget-oriented implementation.

For photographers seeking responsive control, a rich user interface, and compositional confidence, the V-Lux 5’s screen and EVF are clear winners.

Lens Reach and Zoom Versatility: Delving Into Focal Range and Aperture

Superzoom cameras hinge on lens capabilities. Both models feature fixed lenses with lengthy zoom ranges aimed at versatile shooting, but their specs reveal distinct user promises.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ offers an astonishing 26x zoom ranging up to 676 mm equivalent, allowing you to reach distant subjects such as wildlife or sports moments without changing lenses. However, this comes with a trade-off: the aperture narrows to f/5.0 at maximum zoom, reducing light intake, which may challenge handheld shooting or low-light scenarios at telephoto.

The Leica V-Lux 5 provides a broader aperture range, f/2.8 at the wide end to f/4 at maximum telephoto, allowing better light capture and shallower depth of field for more pleasing bokeh, aiding portraiture and creative isolation of subjects.

Additionally, the Leica macro mode focuses as close as 3 cm, while the Olympus reaches 1 cm, which could be a deciding factor for macro-focused users.

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization, critical at telephoto zooms to prevent image blur. According to hands-on burst tests, Leica’s stabilization performs more effectively even when panning.

Autofocus and Burst Rate: Capturing the Moment With Confidence

Fast, accurate autofocus and quick continuous shooting are fundamental, especially for wildlife, sports, and street photography.

The V-Lux 5 incorporates advanced contrast-detection autofocus with face detection, tracking subjects reliably in real time. Its ample 49 focus points support flexible composition and quick acquisition of focus.

With a burst rate of 12 fps, it’s well-suited to capture fast action in sports or wildlife situations, increasing your chances of getting that critical split-second shot.

The SP-590 UZ, meanwhile, has a simpler autofocus system without face or eye detection and a more limited burst shooting speed of 6 fps, which could feel sluggish for rapid sequences.

In practical terms, if you often shoot moving subjects, the Leica’s AF system and frame rates will boost success. For casual shooting, Olympus suffices but expect more missed moments in dynamic scenarios.

Photography Genres in Focus: Matching Features to Your Creative Style

How do these cameras stack up when put to the test across various photography disciplines? We assessed their strengths and weaknesses relative to specific genres.

The Leica’s advanced features clearly appeal to more serious photographers and professionals across most genres. Meanwhile, Olympus offers compelling superzoom reach for travel and casual photography but falters where precision and image quality matter most.

Image Quality in Practice: Sample Shots and Testing Insights

Theory meets reality when we examine actual images taken under diverse conditions.

• The V-Lux 5 renders crisp details and natural skin tones in portraits, maintaining highlight and shadow detail in landscapes even under strong sunlight.
• Its 4K video mode produces clean, stable footage with pleasing color fidelity.
• Low-light stills retain noise control up to ISO 3200, surpassing many bridge cameras in its class.
• The SP-590 UZ produces acceptable daytime images but struggles with noise and softness in low light.
• Video is limited to VGA resolution; grain and artifacts appear quickly at higher ISOs.
• Its telephoto reach captures distant wildlife but with noticeable softness toward the edges.

Leica V Lux 5 front Leica V Lux 5 screen back Olympus SP 590 UZ front Olympus SP 590 UZ screen back

This hands-on comparison highlights how Leica’s more modern sensor and processor translate to superior image quality and versatility in real-world shooting.

Design Details: Control Layout, Build Quality, and Weather Sealing

Beyond specs, how do these cameras feel and function day-to-day?

The Leica’s control layout is intuitive with configurable buttons and dials, complemented by illuminated controls. Despite lacking weather sealing, the build feels robust and professional.

The Olympus feels less substantial, with fewer physical controls and no weather sealing, reflecting its entry-level positioning. Its interface is simple but less flexible.

If you value tactile control and durability for professional use, the Leica pulls ahead. For casual users prioritizing portability, Olympus remains an option.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

The Leica’s wireless features enable easy image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps, streamlining your workflow.

Its use of standard SD cards makes managing and backing up files straightforward.

The Olympus’s older card format and absence of wireless connectivity reflect its dated design, which may hinder today’s content sharing needs.

Battery life favors the Leica with official ratings indicating around 360 shots per charge, though its built-in battery means you cannot swap in fresh cells without charging. The Olympus’s battery info is unclear but likely offers interchangeable AA batteries or proprietary cells.

Final Scores and Value Analysis

Bringing all aspects together, here is a consolidated performance and value score comparison:

While the V-Lux 5 carries a higher price tag (~$1550 vs. Olympus’s $249), its advanced features and performances justify the cost for serious enthusiasts and pros. The SP-590 UZ produces reasonable results at a budget price, making it suitable for beginners or those needing a lightweight superzoom without advanced needs.

Summary: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Leica V-Lux 5
Choose the V-Lux 5 if you:

• Demand higher image quality with versatile shooting modes
• Want a reliable fast autofocus system with face and eye detection
• Need robust video capabilities including 4K recording
• Prefer a rich, flexible user interface with a fully articulated touchscreen
• Work in varied genres, including portrait, wildlife, sports, macro, and low-light photography
• Value Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for sharing and remote control
• Are willing to invest in a premium compact superzoom for professional or enthusiast use

Olympus SP-590 UZ
The SP-590 UZ suits you if you:

• Are on a strict budget yet desire a superzoom bridge camera
• Prioritize the longest zoom reach for casual wildlife or travel snapshots
• Prefer a lightweight, more compact camera that's easy to carry
• Shoot mostly in good lighting where sensor limitations are less pronounced
• Use your camera for casual everyday photography and short videos
• Are less concerned about the latest tech and wireless features
• Value simple operation without extensive control customization

Our Final Thoughts

In conclusion, these cameras represent two different eras and market positions of superzoom bridge cameras. The Leica V-Lux 5 embodies modern imaging technology, combining large sensor performance with a versatile 24-400 mm equivalent lens, advanced autofocus, and rich video. The Olympus SP-590 UZ, although a once-competitive superzoom offering tremendous focal reach, suffers under smaller sensor limitations, slower AF, and dated features.

For photographers committed to image quality and creative flexibility, the V-Lux 5 offers a powerful, compact solution. Meanwhile, casual shooters or budget-conscious beginners may find the SP-590 UZ acceptable for entry-level superzoom needs but should temper expectations.

Next Steps for Interested Buyers

• Try hands-on: If possible, handle both cameras in-store to evaluate ergonomics and interface comfort, especially as weight and control layout differ markedly.
• Test image files: Look for sample RAW and JPEG files from each camera to examine image quality and workflow compatibility with your editing software.
• Consider lenses/accessories: Explore compatible accessories for each, noting the fixed lens systems limit lens changes - tripods, external flashes, and polarization filters become essential.
• Assess your use cases: Match camera strengths to your shooting habits, from fast autofocus for wildlife to video capability for vlogging.
• Budget for future: Account for memory cards, spare batteries, and potential repairs or upgrades.

Keep in mind, the best camera is the one that inspires you to pick it up and create. We hope this comparison guides you closer to your perfect photographic partner.

Feel free to reach out with questions or experiences if you’ve used either model. Your journey to capturing stunning images awaits - explore, experiment, and enjoy every shot!

HappyShooting