Clicky

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
72 Imaging
35 Features
38 Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68 Imaging
37 Features
40 Overall
38

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 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
  • Announced January 2009
  • Later Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The SP-590 UZ was launched 18 months prior to the FZ40 making them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SP-590 UZ matches up vs the FZ40 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban 
	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic FZ40

		

		

			
 SP-590 UZ FZ40 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

		

		

			
 FZ40 SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedJuly 2010January 2009More modern by 18 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ40

		

		

			
 SP-590 UZ FZ40 
Focus manually  Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen  Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display  Neither comes with Touch friendly display
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ comes with external dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ40 has dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SP-590 UZ compared to the FZ40.
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and FZ40 is 72 and 68 respectively.
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Normally, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-590 UZ and FZ40.
Clearly, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic FZ40 to offer more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged SP-590 UZ is going to be behind in sensor tech.
	
			Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
			Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone	

	
	
	
	

	

		
Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography highlights
37
 has manual focus
 exports RAW files
 external flash not possible
 low megapixels (12 megapixels)
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
46
 manual focus
 megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
 supports RAW formats
 no external flash support
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
Street Comparison
 Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Street photography camera
 Panasonic FZ40 as a Street photography camera
60
 image stabilization (Optical)
 exports RAW files
 environment proof
 no articulating screen
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
51
 image stabilization (Optical)
 supports RAW formats
 no moving screen
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 more heavy than others in class (494 grams)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
38
 incredible zoom range (26-676mm  26.0 x zoom)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 environment proof
 slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
 low megapixels (12 megapixels)
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 no phase detect autofocus
43
 great zoom range (25-600mm  24.0 x zoom)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 megapixel count good (14MP)
 slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks phase detect AF
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing
Travel Comparison
Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography features
58
 environment proof
 built-in flash
 reasonably wide (26mm)
 great zoom (676mm)
 low megapixels (12MP)
 doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
 slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
 megapixel count good (14MP)
 flash built-in
 fairly wide (25mm)
 very long reach (600mm)
 doesn't have Timelapse recording
 more heavy than others in class (494 grams)
 does not offer selfie friendly display
 somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary
Landscape Comparison
Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography info
46
 has manual focus
 reasonably wide (26mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 exports RAW files
 environment proof
 cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
 slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
 tiny screen (2.7")
 low megapixels (12 megapixels)
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
51
 manual focus
 fairly wide (25mm)
 good sized screen (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
 supports RAW formats
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 doesn't have Timelapse recording
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging factors
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging factors
24
 reasonably wide (26mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
 doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
 video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
 does not have microphone support
23
 fairly wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
 does not offer selfie friendly display
 low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
 doesn't have microphone socket
 more heavy than others in class (494 grams)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	

		

			
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also called - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-01-07 2010-07-21
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 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
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW support    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Autofocus single    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Center weighted autofocus    
Autofocus multi area    
Live view autofocus    
Face detect autofocus    
Contract detect autofocus    
Phase detect autofocus    
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch capability    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance 8.00 m 9.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe    
AE bracketing    
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 413 gr (0.91 lbs) 494 gr (1.09 lbs)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $249 $420