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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ100

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ100 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
  • Launched January 2009
  • New Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Successor is Panasonic FZ200
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ100 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ100, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the FZ100 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was unveiled 18 months prior to the FZ100 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summary of how the SP-590 UZ matches up against the FZ100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic FZ100

 SP-590 UZ FZ100 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 FZ100 SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedJuly 2010January 2009More recent by 18 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ100

 SP-590 UZ FZ100 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has external measurements 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 FZ100 has proportions of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SP-590 UZ compared to the FZ100.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ100 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and FZ100 is 72 and 67 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements just by checking out specs. The visual here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-590 UZ and FZ100.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can anticipate the Panasonic FZ100 to show more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ100 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography info
Panasonic FZ100 Portrait photography info
36
focusing manually
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
54
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW formats
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography info
Panasonic FZ100 Street photography info
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
58
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (540g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography advice
Panasonic FZ100 Sports photography advice
38
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
51
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FZ100 Travel photography highlights
58
weather proof
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
59
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (540g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ100
45
focusing manually
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
51
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging advice
Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging advice
24
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
64
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic port
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition in class (540g)
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ100
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-01-07 2010-07-21
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 lbs) 540 gr (1.19 lbs)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $249 $500