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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

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
  • Announced January 2009
  • Successor is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Expand to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released April 2009
Photography Glossary

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS42, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the FS42 (10MP) is relatively well matched but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The SP-590 UZ was launched 3 months earlier than the FS42 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SP-590 UZ matches up vs the FS42 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic FS42

 SP-590 UZ FS42 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 FS42 SP-590 UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FS42

 SP-590 UZ FS42 
ReleasedJanuary 2009April 2009Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-590 UZ features physical dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Panasonic FS42 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the SP-590 UZ and the FS42.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and FS42 is 72 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reading through technical specs. The graphic underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-590 UZ and FS42.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SP-590 UZ featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Olympus SP-590 UZ will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots more aggressively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography highlights
36
manual focus
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography details
Panasonic FS42 Street photography details
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW format
max ISO too low (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Sports photography camera
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
low frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
16
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Travel photography with Panasonic FS42
58
weather proofing
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
45
manual focus
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
24
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic port
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Announced 2009-01-07 2009-04-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 1000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 6.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
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)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 gr (0.91 pounds) 132 gr (0.29 pounds)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $249 $580