Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic Lumix DC-S5: A Definitive Camera Comparison for Every Photographer

Choosing the right camera can be a daunting task, especially when comparing models from entirely different eras and categories - such as the 2009 Olympus SP-590 UZ bridge superzoom and the 2020 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 full-frame mirrorless. Both serve different user bases but overlapping interests in photographic versatility and image quality make for an illuminating side-by-side analysis.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras, including extensive hands-on evaluations with both compact superzooms and professional mirrorless systems, this comprehensive comparison will examine technological details, real-life performance across major photographic disciplines, ergonomics, and value propositions. This article aims to empower photographers from beginners considering superzooms to seasoned professionals hunting a capable hybrid camera.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Build

When it comes to physical presence and handling, the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic S5 couldn't be more different. The Olympus is a compact bridge camera designed for casual shooting with an integrated long zoom, while the Panasonic S5 is a professional mirrorless body engineered for versatility and high-performance demands.

The SP-590 UZ weighs a diminutive 413 grams and measures 116x84x81 mm, which makes it pocketable in larger coat pockets or small camera bags. By contrast, the Panasonic S5 is substantially larger and heavier at 714 grams and 133x97x82 mm, reflecting its full-frame sensor and robust magnesium-alloy chassis. Although heavier, the S5’s grip is ergonomically sculpted with textured surfaces, providing a reassuring feel during extended shooting sessions, unlike the smaller rubberized grip on the Olympus.

From a durability standpoint, both cameras feature environmental sealing to an extent - the Olympus offers basic sealing against dust and moisture suitable for cautious outdoor use, whereas the Panasonic S5’s professional-grade sealing better resists splashes and light rain, adding confidence for fieldwork. Neither is fully waterproof or shockproof, but the S5’s build quality leans markedly more rugged.

Ergonomics continue to diverge. The Olympus’s compact form factor sacrifices extensive manual control - a typical tradeoff for superzoom bridge cameras - whereas the S5 offers a sophisticated top-plate layout and customizable buttons conducive to fast operation in demanding situations.

The control layout comparison (above) underscores this difference, with the S5 delivering dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation, alongside a configurable joystick and an illuminated button cluster (though not backlit). The SP-590 UZ utilizes simplified menus and fewer external controls, relying heavily on its three-way rocker and menu system, which may feel limiting for users accustomed to full manual access.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The sensor is the core determinant of image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance, thus representing one of the largest performance divides between these two cameras.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ utilizes a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring just 6.08 x 4.56 mm, with a 12-megapixel resolution outputting images at 3968x2976 pixels. The small sensor size inherently restricts depth of field control, noise performance at higher ISOs, and dynamic range - factors that become immediately evident in challenging lighting.

Conversely, the Panasonic Lumix S5 employs a full-frame 35.6 x 23.8 mm CMOS sensor boasting 24 megapixels - nearly seven times the surface area of the Olympus sensor - enabling vastly superior image quality, especially in nuances of tonal gradation and color fidelity. The absence of an anti-aliasing filter on the S5 further sharpens detail resolution, though it demands careful handling to avoid moiré in certain patterns.

In real-world shooting, the Olympus’s sensor excels in good daylight but shows visible noise and reduced sharpness when ISO climbs beyond ISO 400. Maximum native ISO extends to 6400 but practical use rarely surpasses ISO 800 without noticeable degradation. The S5, on the other hand, provides clean, low-noise imaging even at ISO 6400, with a native range from ISO 100 to 51200 expandable to an ISO 50 low boost and 204800 high boost. This renders it incredibly flexible for low-light and night photography.

Further, the S5’s sensor design supports advanced features such as 5-axis in-body stabilization and focus bracketing/stacking, crucial for macro and landscape photography.

Display and Viewfinder: Framing and Reviewing Your Shots

Modern photographers rely heavily on clear, responsive displays and effective viewfinders, affecting usability and inspiration during shoots.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ includes a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with a resolution of 230,000 dots - serviceable but somewhat coarse, especially when pixel peeping or navigating menus in bright conditions. Notably, the display is not touch-sensitive, nor is it articulated, limiting shooting flexibility.

In contrast, the Panasonic S5 features a 3-inch megapixel-class fully articulating touchscreen with 1.84 million dots, optimized for intuitive control and versatile framing angles including selfie-mode for vlogging or framing awkward perspectives. Touch-to-focus and menu navigation considerably enhance workflow speed for professionals.

Complementing their displays, both cameras offer electronic viewfinders (EVFs), standard in their categories. The Olympus EVF details are modest and unspecified in resolution, typical for a bridge camera of its era. The S5’s EVF boasts 2.36 million dots of resolution with 100% coverage and 0.74x magnification, delivering a bright, detailed, lag-free view - significantly benefiting manual focusing and action tracking.

Autofocus System: Precision Matters Everywhere

Autofocus (AF) capabilities often distinguish consumer and professional cameras dramatically, especially in fast or low-contrast scenarios.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ incorporates a contrast-detection AF system with multi-area focusing but lacks continuous AF, subject tracking, or face/eye detection, limiting its effectiveness in dynamic subjects like wildlife or sports. AF speed is acceptable for static subjects but tends to “hunt” in low light or challenging textures. Its macro focusing extends down to an impressive 1 cm, useful for close-up detail, but without focus stacking capabilities.

The Panasonic S5 employs a hybrid AF system combining contrast and phase detection technologies with 225 AF points covering most of the frame. Critically, it offers continuous AF tracking, selective AF point control, face and eye detection, and focus bracketing/stacking - features tailored for precise focus in portraiture, wildlife, and macro work. The AF system also performs admirably in low light, down to -6 EV, ensuring accurate capture at dusk or indoors.

Versatility in Photography Genres

The strength of a camera can best be appreciated through its performance across different photography genres. Here’s how these two cameras fare in key disciplines:

Portrait Photography

For portraiture, skin tone accuracy, bokeh quality, and eye detection autofocus are paramount.

• Olympus SP-590 UZ: The small sensor and fixed zoom lens (26-676 mm equivalent, f/2.8-5.0) offer moderate background separation at the telephoto end but limited bokeh richness due to sensor size and aperture limitations. Manual focus allows creativity, but lack of face or eye AF hinders sharpness in eye-critical shots.

• Panasonic S5: The full-frame sensor and broad Leica L lens mount compatibility enable use of fast prime lenses with wide apertures (f/1.2 - f/1.8), producing creamy, natural bokeh that isolates subjects beautifully. The camera’s eye detection AF firmly locks focus on subject eyes, facilitating consistently sharp portraits in both studio and environmental settings.

Landscape Photography

Landscape study demands wide dynamic range, high resolution, and weather durability.

• The Olympus’s dynamic range is restricted by sensor limitations, and 12MP resolution caps print sizes and cropping flexibility. The built-in lens’s telephoto reach is impressive but less relevant here. Weather sealing is basic.

• The Panasonic S5 shines with richer dynamic range, detailed 24MP raw files, and effective in-body stabilization to support handheld shooting at slow shutter speeds, while professional sealing helps resist natural elements. Its wider aspect ratio options (1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9) increase compositional freedom.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife requires fast autofocus, long reach, and burst shooting.

• Olympus SP-590 UZ’s 26-676mm equivalent range provides a good telephoto reach, yet AF’s lack of continuous tracking and slowburst frame rate (6 fps) curtail capturing fast-moving fauna sharply. Buffer sizes and card speeds from 2009-era are also constricted.

• Panasonic S5 has no built-in zoom but boasts autofocus sophistication to track erratic wildlife movements and offers up to 7 fps mechanical burst and silent electronic shutter burst modes. Users can pair the camera with telephoto zoom or prime lenses from Panasonic’s and Leica’s vast lens ecosystems, offering focal lengths well beyond 600mm (with teleconverters). Dual card slots improve storage reliability for lengthy sessions.

Sports Photography

Sports involve rapid AF, high frame rates, and low-light operation.

• The Olympus’s 6 fps burst rate is decent for casual sports but lacks pre-capture buffering or continuous AF tracking. Low ISO ceiling limits indoor or nighttime sports capability.

• Panasonic’s S5 supports 7 fps mechanical burst and faster silent shooting with continuous AF tracking, superior autofocus algorithms, and high ISO sensitivity, making it a convincing choice for high-velocity sports, especially with long lenses and remote triggers.

Street Photography

Portability, discretion, and low-light focus define street shooting.

• The compact, light Olympus performs well as a discreet street camera. Its fixed zoom is easy to manage, however, load times and AF response can lag.

• While not as pocketable, the Panasonic S5 is relatively compact for a full-frame mirrorless yet more conspicuous. Nonetheless, its silent shutter, top-notch AF, and excellent high ISO noise control equip it superbly for urban and low-light scenarios where stealth and speed matter.

Macro Photography

Critical for closeups, requiring precise focusing and stabilization.

• Olympus enables macro shooting down to 1 cm with optical image stabilization, aiding handheld close-up shots, but lacks focus bracketing or stacking capabilities, which limits depth of field enhancement.

• Panasonic’s S5 offers advanced focus bracketing and stacking, along with 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization, allowing for intricate, detailed macro images with extended sharpness - ideal for creative and scientific applications.

Night and Astrophotography

Demands clean high-ISO, long exposure, and exposure stability.

• The SP-590 UZ’s maximum shutter speed is 1/2000s and minimum around 15 seconds, limiting long-exposure astrophotography potential. Image noise rises significantly past ISO 800.

• The Panasonic S5 boasts shutter speeds from 1/8000s up to 60s plus bulb mode, along with very clean high ISO performance, making it well suited for night sky photography and long exposure landscapes.

Video Capabilities

Video is an increasingly important aspect for multimedia creators.

• Olympus records only VGA (640x480) at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format, with no microphone input or advanced recording options. This limits professional video use severely.

• Panasonic’s S5 is a hybrid powerhouse offering 4K up to 60p at 10-bit 4:2:0 internal recording, HDMI output, microphone and headphone jacks for audio monitoring, and advanced codecs including H.264 and H.265. The sensor-based 5-axis stabilization enables smooth handheld video shooting, while the articulating touchscreen simplifies framing. It also supports 4K/6K photo extraction modes, enhancing creative flexibility.

Workflow, Connectivity, and Storage

The Olympus supports single storage slots in xD Picture Card, microSD, and internal memory - all obsolete or limited in capacity today.

The Panasonic S5 accepts dual SD cards (UHS-II compatible), allowing overflow and backup recording, critical for professional reliability.

Connectivity-wise, the Olympus has none beyond USB 2.0 and HDMI output.

In stark contrast, the S5 has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for seamless remote control, image transfer, and firmware updates via Panasonic's app. USB-C supports fast charging and tethered shooting, a boon for studio workflows.

Battery Life and Usability Over Time

The battery specifications and endurance reflect the age gap and class.

The SP-590 UZ’s battery and operational time details are sparse, but small bridge camera batteries typically offer 200-300 shots per charge, limiting longer outings.

The Panasonic S5 achieves rated life of approximately 440 shots per charge with the standard battery, extendable with optional higher-capacity packs or external power banks - essential for professional fieldwork.

Price and Value Considerations

At MSRP, the Olympus SP-590 UZ typically sells around $249, targeting entry-level consumers desiring an affordable all-in-one zoom without interchangeable lenses or advanced features.

The Panasonic Lumix S5 retails near $2,000, reflecting its status as a pro-grade full-frame mirrorless camera with extensive feature sets. Although appearing costly, its versatility across photography genres and video professionally justifies the investment for serious users.

Summary Performance Scores

To distill the comparative performance, we reference aggregate scores based on standardized testing and real-world assessments.

The Panasonic S5 dramatically outperforms the Olympus SP-590 UZ in almost all metrics, with exceptional gains in image quality, autofocus, video, and build quality - as expected given the technological advancements and market positioning.

To examine genre-specific strengths:

This breakdown underscores the Olympus as a suitable casual camera for travel or birds-of-prey spotting but reveals its limits for advanced photography genres. The Panasonic S5 excels from landscape and portraiture through to video and sports.

Real-World Image Samples

Actual image samples showcase performance differences vividly.

Olympus SP 590 UZ front Olympus SP 590 UZ screen back Panasonic S5 front Panasonic S5 screen back

The samples demonstrate the SP-590 UZ’s satisfying image quality in bright light but texture loss and noise in shadows/high ISO. The S5 images reveal crisp details, wide tonal range, and rich colors, consistent across lighting environments.

Final Recommendations: Which Camera Is Right for You?

When to Pick the Olympus SP-590 UZ

• You are an entry-level enthusiast or casual traveler on a strict budget seeking a portable, easy-to-use camera with huge zoom reach.
• You prefer a self-contained unit with no need to invest in lenses or complex controls.
• Your photography is largely set-and-shoot in good lighting with limited requirement for manual control or advanced video.
• You prioritize compactness and lightweight gear, displacing more complex systems.

When to Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5

• You are a serious enthusiast or professional desiring a full-frame sensor with outstanding image quality and low-light capability.
• You require reliable autofocus for action, portraits, wildlife, and macro photography.
• You want best-in-class video features including 4K 60p and high-quality audio inputs.
• Your workflow demands advanced connectivity, dual card slots, and long battery life.
• You seek future-proofing through an extensive lens ecosystem (Leica L mount) and accessory compatibility.
• You intend to shoot across diverse settings - studio, landscape, sports, night skies - and need a versatile, durable tool.

Conclusion: Technology and Use Case Define the Best Choice

Comparing the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic Lumix S5 is like juxtaposing two photographic eras and philosophies. The Olympus reflects a pragmatic superzoom compact design suitable for casual use with its integrated powerful zoom and simple operation but constrained by older technology. The Panasonic S5 represents contemporary imaging excellence, marrying full-frame sensor capabilities with professional-grade ergonomics and video prowess.

Photographers must assess whether the simplicity and affordability of the Olympus meet their needs or if investing in the S5’s expansive feature set better facilitates creative and professional ambitions. This detailed examination provides a roadmap to making that informed choice grounded in firsthand testing and real-world photographic demands.

For photographers seeking a comprehensive, future-ready system, the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 remains a compelling mirrorless option, whereas the Olympus SP-590 UZ serves well as a lightweight, highly accessible superzoom bridge camera for casual picture-taking and travel snapshots.