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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Olympus SP-590 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 413g - 116 x 84 x 81mm
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released April 2009
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

The following is a comprehensive overview of the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS12, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was launched 3 months before the FS12 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SP-590 UZ matches up vs the FS12 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic FS12

 SP-590 UZ FS12 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 FS12 SP-590 UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FS12

 SP-590 UZ FS12 
ReleasedJanuary 2009April 2009Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has got exterior dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Panasonic FS12 has dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS12 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the FS12.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and FS12 is 72 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions only by researching a spec sheet. The pic below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and FS12.

As you can see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures though you should always take the launch date of the cameras into account.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Portrait photography camera
37
you can focus manually
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography factors
Panasonic FS12 Street photography factors
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography advice
Panasonic FS12 Sports photography advice
38
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Travel photography with Panasonic FS12
58
environment sealing
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
46
you can focus manually
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging information
Panasonic FS12 Vlogging information
24
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of mic support
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic socket
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FS12
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Revealed 2009-01-07 2009-04-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.00 m 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 gr (0.91 lb) 129 gr (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $249 $228