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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FX90

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FX90 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 FX90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 102 x 56 x 22mm
  • Released August 2011
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FX90 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FX90, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the FX90 (12MP) is pretty similar and they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was brought out 3 years before the FX90 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic FX90 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SP-590 UZ grades versus the FX90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic FX90

 SP-590 UZ FX90 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX90 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 FX90 SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedAugust 2011January 2009More recent by 32 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FX90

 SP-590 UZ FX90 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FX90 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has exterior measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") along with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Panasonic FX90 has dimensions of 102mm x 56mm x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FX90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the SP-590 UZ versus the FX90.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FX90 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and FX90 is 72 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FX90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FX90 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements only by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-590 UZ and FX90.

As you can tell, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical MP so you can expect similar quality of images however you should always take the age of the products into consideration. The older SP-590 UZ is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FX90 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FX90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FX90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FX90 Portrait photography advice
36
manual focus
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
21
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography advice
Panasonic FX90 Street photography advice
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FX90 Sports photography highlights
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
slow fps (6.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
30
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
slow fps (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FX90 as a Travel photography camera
58
weather proof
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
comes with touch focus
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery life (200 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FX90 Landscape photography factors
45
manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
36
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging info
Panasonic FX90 Vlogging info
24
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic port
33
really wide (24mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FX90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FX90
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-FX90
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-01-07 2011-08-26
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 5.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 gr (0.91 pounds) 149 gr (0.33 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 102 x 56 x 22mm (4.0" 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
Battery life - 200 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $249 $227