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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ300

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 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
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Successor is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Revealed July 2015
  • Superseded the Panasonic FZ200
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ300, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the FZ300 (12MP) is very similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was introduced 7 years before the FZ300 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SP-590 UZ grades versus the FZ300 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 FZ300

 SP-590 UZ FZ300 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 FZ300 SP-590 UZ 
RevealedJuly 2015January 2009More recent by 79 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ300

 SP-590 UZ FZ300 
Manual focus Very precise focus

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has got physical dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ300 has measurements of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") and a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ300 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the FZ300.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and FZ300 is 72 and 59 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements merely by going over a spec sheet. The photograph here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and FZ300.

Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures but you should always consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The older SP-590 UZ is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography features
Panasonic FZ300 Portrait photography features
37
manual focus
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
46
has manual focus
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography info
Panasonic FZ300 Street photography info
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
59
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
offers focus by touch
weather proofing
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (691g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography advice
Panasonic FZ300 Sports photography advice
38
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
51
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
maximum shutter speed is high (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery life (380 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Travel photography camera
58
environment sealing
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
59
good battery life (380 per charge)
weather proofing
offers focus by touch
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
heavier than competition (691 grams)
low MP (12MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography features
Panasonic FZ300 Landscape photography features
46
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
52
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
good battery life (380 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Vlogging camera
24
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone port
62
reasonably wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic socket
slow max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition (691 grams)
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ300
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-01-07 2015-07-16
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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 64 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 49
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/16000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.00 m 8.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 grams (0.91 lbs) 691 grams (1.52 lbs)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 380 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $249 $598