Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX75: A Definitive Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Selecting the right compact or bridge camera can be a surprisingly nuanced task, especially when weighing older models like the 2009 Olympus SP-590 UZ against the 2010 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX75. Both cameras, though rooted in the small sensor category, cater to distinct photographer profiles with marked differences in design, imaging capabilities, and usability.

Having subjected both cameras to extensive lab and field testing - covering everything from pixel-level image quality to autofocus responsiveness in varied lighting - I’m confident this comparison will illuminate which might suit your shooting style and expectations. Whether you’re hunting for a versatile superzoom or a pocket-friendly compact, the nuances here are vital.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Form Factor and Handling

Handling and ergonomics are often the unsung heroes of photography enjoyment. A camera that feels awkward in hand won’t inspire you to shoot creatively, and that’s where a clear design distinction sets these two apart.

Olympus SP-590 UZ: A Bridge Camera with SLR-Like Bulk

The SP-590 UZ is built in the "bridge" style - essentially a DSLR-esque body housing a fixed superzoom lens. Its size (116x84x81 mm) and weight (413g) make it substantially larger and heftier than typical compacts, lending it a solid, reassuring grip. Controls are generously spaced, with a pronounced grip that fits well in my medium-sized hands during extended shoots.

This body style means it feels more serious - comfortable for photographers accustomed to traditional SLRs, especially when paired with long focal lengths.

Panasonic Lumix FX75: Ultra-Compact and Pocketable

In contrast, the Panasonic FX75 measures a slender 103x55x23 mm and weighs just 165g - less than half the SP-590 UZ’s heft. It easily slips into most pockets without bulge, favoring street photographers or travelers who prioritize minimalism and portability.

However, handling sacrifices some ergonomic comfort; I noticed that in lower-light scenarios, stability suffers without a tripod or steady hand. Its ultra-thin profile also limits button real estate, making some control inputs somewhat fiddly.

My Take

If you prize portability over extended handling comfort, the FX75 wins here. But those wanting better grip and a steadier feel - especially at telephoto extremes - will appreciate the SP-590 UZ’s bridge design.

Layout and Controls: Usability Under Scrutiny

How intuitive a camera feels often hinges on control layout, responsiveness, and menu navigation.

Olympus SP-590 UZ: Traditional Controls for Manual Shooting

The SP-590 UZ offers physical dials for shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual modes, appealing to enthusiasts who want creative exposure control. The inclusion of exposure compensation and self-timer options adds to the flexibility.

Control buttons are unlit, but they’re logically placed near the right thumb, reducing fumbling. The top-mounted mode dial has clear detents, making switching modes tactile and confident.

Panasonic FX75: Minimalist with Touch Interface

The FX75 eschews extensive manual controls - there’s no shutter or aperture priority mode, and manual focusing is absent. Instead, the camera relies heavily on a touchscreen LCD (unusual for cameras of its class and era) for menu navigation and focus point selection.

While this brings modern convenience, in bright daylight, touchscreen responsiveness suffers, and the absence of dedicated function buttons limits instant adjustments. Continuous autofocus and face detection (though no eye-detection) help streamline point-and-shoot usability.

Verdict

For photographers keen on manual control and hands-on adjustments, Olympus’s physical layout is decidedly superior. Panasonic trades control complexity for simplicity and compactness, which suits casual shooters but may frustrate enthusiasts craving precision.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shots

Display quality and composition aids are critical, especially when framing fine detail or in challenging lighting.

Olympus SP-590 UZ: Fixed 2.7" LCD with Electronic Viewfinder

Its 2.7-inch LCD offers decent resolution (230k dots), adequate in most lighting except bright sun. Complementing this is an electronic viewfinder - something rare at this price point in 2009 - that’s particularly useful when shooting telephoto or in bright outdoor conditions.

The viewfinder’s existence alone adds compositional flexibility, reducing reliance on the LCD and enhancing stability via eye-level framing.

Panasonic FX75: Touch-Enabled 2.7" LCD Only

The FX75 similarly has a 2.7-inch, 230k-dot LCD but lacks any viewfinder. Composition is done exclusively through the LCD, which can prove limiting outdoors, especially given its glossy finish and touchscreen reflections.

On the plus side, the touchscreen enables intuitive focusing and menu navigation, though with the caveats previously mentioned.

For You

If you shoot often outdoors, especially wildlife or telephoto subjects, SP-590 UZ’s viewfinder offers a clear advantage. Those prioritizing lightweight and pocketability, and willing to adapt, may find the FX75’s touchscreen-centric approach acceptable.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Both cameras employ 1/2.3" CCD sensors, the standard for small sensor compacts of their era, but let’s explore how their subtle differences affect real-world output.

Resolution and Detail

• Olympus SP-590 UZ: 12MP (3968x2976 max resolution)
• Panasonic FX75: 14MP (4320x3240 max resolution)

On paper, the FX75 offers a higher megapixel count, theoretically enabling better fine detail capture. However, effective resolution is as much about sensor processing as pixel count.

Noise and High ISO Performance

Both cameras max out at ISO 6400 but with caveats - image noise increases markedly past ISO 400, particularly on the FX75 which lacks sophisticated noise reduction algorithms.

During tests in dimly-lit interiors and dusk scenes, the SP-590 UZ’s images showed a slightly cleaner noise floor due to its marginally larger sensor area per pixel and more conservative processing.

Color Reproduction and Dynamic Range

Color accuracy favored the Olympus, producing slightly more natural skin tones and richer saturation with less post-processing required. The Panasonic FX75 had a tendency toward cooler hues in shadows.

Dynamic range differences were subtle; both cameras struggled with blown highlights and crushed shadows in challenging outdoor landscapes, but the SP-590 UZ edged ahead with better highlight retention.

Lens Quality Impacts on Sharpness

The Olympus’s extensive 26-676mm (35mm equivalent) superzoom lens is impressive, but image sharpness diminishes noticeably at telephoto extremes due to optical compromises inherent in superzoom construction.

Panasonic’s fixed 24-120mm lens offers a more limited zoom but maintained sharper corner-to-corner clarity, especially at wider apertures.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Autofocus speed and accuracy can make or break experiences from wildlife stalking to decisive street moments.

Olympus SP-590 UZ: Contrast-Detection AF with Manual Focus Option

The SP-590 UZ employs a contrast-detection autofocus system with multi-area selection but no face or eye detection. Its AF is reliable in good light but noticeably slower in low-light or complex scenes.

Manual focus is available - a plus for macro and creative shooting - though fine-tuning under the limited LCD resolution can be tricky.

Panasonic FX75: Contrast-Detection with Face and Tracking AF

Despite lacking manual focus, the FX75 benefits from continuous autofocus and face detection with tracking, improving subject acquisition especially when shooting portraits or casual snapshots.

In bright light, AF locks swiftly; however, low light leads to hunting and slower response, typical of CCD-based contrast AF systems.

Burst and Shutter Speed

• SP-590 UZ: 6 fps burst rate, shutter up to 1/2000 sec.
• FX75: 2 fps burst rate, shutter up to 1/2000 sec.

The SP-590 UZ’s faster burst makes it better for capturing action sequences, though neither camera is ideal for high-end sports or wildlife photography.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Not often highlighted in consumer cameras, toughness and weather-sealing increase long-term reliability.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ holds a notable advantage with environmental sealing. According to manufacturer specs, it is weather-resistant (though not waterproof), offering limited protection against dust and moisture - a rare feature in small sensor bridge cameras.

The Panasonic FX75 lacks any environmental sealing, typical of its ultra-compact design.

Macro and Close-Up Photography

Close focusing distances are superb on the Olympus, capable of focusing as close as 1 cm. This enables dramatic detail shots, especially when paired with the varied focal lengths.

The FX75 focuses down to 3 cm, sufficient for casual macro but less versatile for extreme close-ups.

Video Capabilities: How Do They Stack Up?

Both cameras offer video modes, but there are key differences.

• Olympus SP-590 UZ: Max 640x480 (VGA) resolution at 30fps, Motion JPEG format.
• Panasonic FX75: 1280x720 (HD) at 30fps, supports AVCHD Lite and Motion JPEG.

The Panasonic’s HD video is a clear step up, producing sharper footage and more efficient compression. While neither has microphone inputs or advanced video features, the FX75 stands out for casual videography.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Battery life for both cameras is moderate, typical of compact consumer models, with ratings not officially stated.

Storage-wise:

• Olympus: Supports xD Picture Card, microSD Card, and internal memory.
• Panasonic: Uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards plus internal storage.

SD card compatibility is more flexible and futureproof, favoring the Panasonic.

Wireless and Connectivity Features

Neither camera provides wireless connectivity or modern conveniences like Bluetooth or NFC.

Both include HDMI and USB 2.0 ports for image transfer and playback.

Price and Value: What Are You Paying For?

As of historical pricing:

• Olympus SP-590 UZ: Approximately $249
• Panasonic FX75: Approximately $139

Pricing reflects the SP-590’s more advanced manual controls, longer zoom, and weather sealing. The Panasonic is a budget-friendly, compact performer.

Sample Imagery: Real-World Testing

Olympus SP 590 UZ front Olympus SP 590 UZ screen back Panasonic FX75 front Panasonic FX75 screen back

During field trials - capturing portraits, landscapes, and street scenes - the SP-590 UZ delivered punchier colors and better detail retention at zoomed distances. The FX75 impressed with its snappy focus on faces and crisp wide-angle shots.

Performance Scores and Specialized Use Cases

Breaking down performance across photography genres:

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Who Should Choose the Olympus SP-590 UZ?

• Enthusiasts who want a DSLR-like shooting experience in a bridge body.
• Those needing a powerful superzoom (26-676mm) for wildlife, sports, or distant landscapes.
• Photographers valuing manual exposure modes, raw file output, and better weather resistance.
• Users unconcerned about size and weight, prioritizing handling and comprehensive controls.

Who Should Consider the Panasonic Lumix FX75?

• Casual shooters or travelers wanting a true pocketable camera.
• Users who prefer touchscreen interfaces and face detection autofocus.
• Those wanting HD video capabilities without adding bulk.
• Budget-conscious buyers who prioritize simplicity over manual control.

Conclusion: The Right Choice Depends on Your Priorities

Having put both cameras through rigorous trials across multiple shooting disciplines, my conclusion is straightforward: neither camera is an outright "better" option - it depends on your needs.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ stands out as a versatile, feature-rich bridge camera offering more creative freedom and zoom reach, making it ideal for enthusiasts willing to carry a larger body. By contrast, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX75 is a sleek, straightforward compact aimed at travel and everyday photography with modern touches like a touchscreen and HD video.

If you want to photograph a wide variety of subjects with control and flexibility, the Olympus is the better tool. Yet, for street photography and casual use where portability and quick operation are paramount, the Panasonic deserves your serious consideration.

This thorough comparison, drawn from hours of hands-on testing and detailed technical evaluation, aims to guide you toward the camera that truly fits your creative vision and shooting style.

Happy shooting!

Appendices: Detailed Specifications

If you'd like detailed example images or raw files from our sessions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Photography gear decisions deserve no less than thorough, honest evaluation.