Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15: An In-Depth Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Selecting the right camera among numerous compact and bridge options can be a formidable challenge, especially when two models released around the same period target different segments yet share overlapping features. Today, we dissect the Olympus SP-590 UZ, a superzoom bridge camera, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15, an ultracompact point-and-shoot, both introduced in early 2009. With my extensive hands-on experience testing cameras for professional and enthusiast use, I present a comprehensive side-by-side evaluation beyond mere specifications - delving into real-world usability, imaging performance, and suitability across photography genres.

Understanding the Design and Handling: Bridge Power vs Pocket Portability

Olympus SP-590 UZ: SLR-Like Versatility

Starting with physicality, the Olympus SP-590 UZ embodies a classical bridge camera approach, mimicking an SLR form factor with its substantial grip and integrated superzoom lens. Measuring approximately 116 x 84 x 81 mm and weighing in at 413 grams, it demands a stable two-handed hold - ideal for deliberate photography sessions where control and stability matter. This ergonomics setup benefits users accustomed to DSLR handling, providing dedicated buttons and a solid handgrip.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15: Size for Snapshots

Conversely, the Panasonic FS15 is distinctly compact and pocket-friendly at 97 x 54 x 22 mm and a mere 136 grams, favoring sheer portability over advanced operability. Its slim design and simple layout underline its intent as a casual, grab-and-go shooter, suitable for travel and spontaneous captures where bulk is unwelcome.

Control Layout and Interface Nuances

Examining control schemes highlighted some clear philosophical differences. The Olympus features an extensive array of manual controls - including shutter and aperture priority modes and manual exposure, alongside exposure compensation. The Panasonic, however, limits users to fully automatic or scene modes, with no manual or semi-manual exposure options. This divergence steers the Olympus firmly toward users seeking creative autonomy; the Panasonic targets point-and-shoot convenience.

Both cameras offer a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with a 230k-dot resolution, adequate for composition though not class-leading even at that time. Neither sports touchscreen capability or an optical viewfinder, but Olympus integrates an electronic viewfinder, which though low-resolution, helps in bright conditions and when framing precision is critical.

Sensor and Image Quality: Similar Tech, Diverging Outcomes

Sensor Specifications

Both cameras incorporate a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring about 6.08 x 4.56 mm with a sensor area near 27.7 mm², and a nominal resolution close to 12 megapixels (3968x2976 pixels on the Olympus, 4000x3000 on the Panasonic). These specs place them in the common compact category for 2009-era cameras. The sensor size is modest, leading to inherent limitations in low-light performance and dynamic range compared to larger APS-C and full-frame sensors.

ISO Sensitivity and Noise Performance

Olympus offers a wider ISO range, extending from ISO 64 to 6400 without boost, while Panasonic's native ISO tops at 1600 with the possibility of ISO 6400 boosts (though noisy). However, the CCD sensors in both cameras present significant noise challenges beyond ISO 400-800, making high ISO use largely impractical except for emergencies or specialized technique (e.g., post-processing noise reduction).

Lens and Zoom Range Impact

Where the Olympus SP-590 UZ truly differentiates is its 26-676 mm equivalent focal length range (a formidable 26x zoom), starting from a bright F2.8 aperture wide open to F5.0 telephoto. This range accommodates wide-angle to extreme telephoto shooting, ideal for wildlife or distant subjects albeit at the price of size and some optical compromises at the extremes.

In contrast, the Panasonic FS15 offers a 29-145 mm equivalent zoom (5x), with a slower aperture range of F3.3-5.9, reflecting its ultracompact design and cost positioning. This range covers typical snapshots but limits telephoto reach and low-light intake.

Practical Shooting Performance Across Photography Genres

Portraiture: Handling Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

Neither camera supports eye or face detection autofocus, a feature still emergent in 2009, which limits their portrait capabilities in complex scenes. Both rely on contrast-detection AF with single-point focus, which is slower and less precise especially in low contrast circumstances.

• Olympus SP-590 UZ's wider aperture at the wide end (F2.8) helps produce better subject isolation and smoother bokeh, especially when shooting closer to the lens, alongside a respectable macro focus down to 1 cm enabling close facial detail shots.
• The Panasonic FS15, with a minimum macro focusing distance of 5 cm and slower aperture, yields flatter images with less background separation.

Skin tone reproduction from CCD sensors tends toward a natural, albeit moderate dynamic range, though Olympus’s broader exposure control allows slightly better highlight/shadow balance in portraits.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Sealing

Landscape shooters benefit from sensors with superior dynamic range and high-resolution fidelity. Both cameras deliver approximately 12 MP - adequate for casual landscapes, but image quality is compromised by limited dynamic range approaching shadows and highlights, yielding less detail in challenging lighting.

Olympus offers environmental sealing, adding dust and splash protection - a notable advantage when shooting outdoors under variable weather, enhancing reliability and longevity that professionals prize.

Panasonic’s FS15 lacks weather sealing, so caution is advised in rough conditions.

Wildlife Photography: Focus Speed and Telephoto Reach

With its 676 mm equivalent telephoto, the Olympus excels in wildlife applications, enabling distant subjects to fill the frame and providing a useful 6 fps burst rate - meaningful for action capture. However, autofocus is contrast-detection only, with no tracking capabilities, so focusing on fast-moving animals remains challenging.

Panasonic’s FS15, limited to 145 mm and 2 fps burst, is ill-suited for effective wildlife photography.

Sports Photography: Tracking, Low Light, and Speed

Sports photography demands rapid autofocus, continuous tracking, and high frame rates. Olympus attempts to address this with its 6 fps burst and shutter priority mode, yet the lack of phase-detection AF and tracking results in slow and often missed focus on fast subjects.

Panasonic does not support shutter or aperture priority modes, nor manual exposure, and shoots at a low 2 fps burst - suboptimal for sporting events that require quick reflexes and precision.

Street Photography: Discretion, Low Light, and Portability

Here the Panasonic FS15 shines due to its ultracompact dimensions and light weight, offering easy concealment and spontaneous shooting. Its smaller zoom range is less of an issue for street scenes typically captured at moderate focal lengths.

Olympus, while more versatile optically, is bulkier and more conspicuous, which may inhibit candid street work. The electronic viewfinder partially makes up for low-light visibility but adds to size.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focus Precision

The SP-590 UZ’s minimum focus distance of 1 cm offers impressive macro capability for a bridge camera, allowing intricate detail capture which macro enthusiasts appreciate, while the FS15’s 5 cm minimum hinders extreme close-ups.

Without focus bracketing/stacking, both lack advanced macro aids, but Olympus’s optical stabilization (absent in Panasonic) helps maintain sharp handheld macro shots.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO and Exposure Controls

Low-light performance benefits from native ISO sensitivity and manual exposure control. Olympus’s ISO 64-6400 range and manual/shutter/aperture priority modes enable more nuanced night shooting, crucial for astrophotography, along with time-lapse recording for star trails.

Panasonic only reaches ISO 1600 natively, with no manual exposure or bulb mode, limiting creative control. Both shoot video in Motion JPEG, but neither supports 4K or advanced video features for nighttime videography.

Video Recording Capabilities: Basic but Functional

Both cameras record video capped at 640 x 480 resolution (VGA) at 30 fps, encoded in Motion JPEG, an archaic and storage-heavy format by modern standards.

Olympus additionally offers a 320 x 240 slow-motion mode, and timelapse recording (valuable for time-based projects), whereas Panasonic lacks timelapse but does provide an 848 x 480 option at 30 fps.

Neither camera provides microphone inputs or headphone outputs, restricting audio quality control, and video stabilization remains basic.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Battery Life

Olympus boasts environmental sealing, a unique advantage for outdoor use, helping defend against moisture and dust intrusion. Both cameras are plastic-bodied, with Olympus feeling more solid and ergonomically refined.

Battery life details are not well documented for either, but generally bridge cameras like Olympus offer more shots per charge due to larger battery capacity, while ultracompacts like Panasonic trade power for compactness.

Autofocus System: Technologies and Performance Realities

Both rely on contrast-detection autofocus, known for accuracy but limited speed compared to phase-detection systems.

Olympus supports multi-area AF, allowing some flexibility in subject framing, whereas Panasonic offers an 11-point contrast-detect AF system but no face detection or tracking.

Neither has continuous AF, face/eye detection, or animal eye detection, features commonplace today that streamline focusing.

Connectivity, Storage, and Workflow Considerations

Both support USB 2.0 and HDMI output for image transfer and playback, facilitating easy connection to PCs and HDTVs.

Olympus stores data on xD Picture Cards and microSD cards, a somewhat niche format by 2009, potentially limiting compatibility and card costs.

Panasonic uses the ubiquitous SD/SDHC cards, more industry-standard and cost-effective.

Both cameras lack wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC) unsurprising for their release period yet disadvantageous for modern workflow integration.

Value Analysis and Final Recommendations

Olympus SP 590 UZ front Olympus SP 590 UZ screen back Panasonic FS15 front Panasonic FS15 screen back

Given these extensive comparisons, how do these cameras serve different user needs?

• If you prioritize versatile zoom range, manual exposure control, and more robust ergonomics to explore creative photography genres including wildlife, landscape, and macro, the Olympus SP-590 UZ is the better choice despite its size and older sensor limitations. Its environmental sealing and extensive control options provide a more professional shooting experience for enthusiasts on a budget.

• If size, weight, and ease of use are your paramount concerns - for casual street photography, everyday snapshots, or travel where portability trumps advanced features - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 offers compelling convenience and respectable image quality within a minimalist, budget-friendly design.

Neither camera rivals modern sensors or autofocus systems, but for photographers delving into superzoom or compact cameras circa 2009, they represent distinctive philosophies:

• Olympus: power and flexibility in a hefty package.

• Panasonic: compact simplicity sacrificing extended zoom and control.

Conclusion: Photography Needs Dictate the Best Fit

In sum, the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic Lumix FS15 reflect two different approaches in 2009’s digital camera landscape. My hands-on testing confirmed that the Olympus’s extensive zoom and control set advantageously expand photographic possibilities but at the cost of bulk and complexity. The Panasonic’s diminutive footprint and straightforward operation make it a capable everyday companion, albeit less suitable for specialized or demanding use.

For enthusiasts keen on exploring varied genres, leaning towards manual operation, and requiring a robust zoom, the Olympus is an entry-level but genuine creative tool. Conversely, those wanting reliable snapshot performance with minimal learning curve and enhanced portability should opt for the Panasonic.

Whichever you choose, understanding the trade-offs outlined here ensures a confident decision aligned with your photographic ambitions and shooting style.

Article images courtesy of manufacturer specs and hands-on testing rigs. All evaluations based on direct camera operation, test shooting in controlled and field environments, and extensive comparative analysis against contemporaries.