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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ70

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 front
Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ70 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
  • Refreshed by Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic FZ70
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 20-1200mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 606g - 130 x 97 x 118mm
  • Released July 2013
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ70 Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ70, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and FZ70 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was announced 5 years prior to the FZ70 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SP-590 UZ grades versus the FZ70 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic FZ70

 SP-590 UZ FZ70 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ70 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 FZ70 SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedJuly 2013January 2009More modern by 55 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ70

 SP-590 UZ FZ70 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ70 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ enjoys exterior dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ70 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 118mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 4.6") and a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ70 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the SP-590 UZ compared to the FZ70.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ70 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and FZ70 is 72 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ70 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specifications. The picture underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and FZ70.

To sum up, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic FZ70 to provide you with greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged SP-590 UZ will be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ70 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ70
37
manual focus
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
56
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography details
Panasonic FZ70 Street photography details
60
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
49
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than others (606g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography advice
Panasonic FZ70 Sports photography advice
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
55
incredible zoom range (20-1200mm 60.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
good battery life (400 per charge)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FZ70 Travel photography highlights
58
environment proof
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
55
good battery life (400 shots)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (20mm)
great zoom (1200mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others (606g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FZ70 as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
54
you can focus manually
pretty wide (20mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (400 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging advice
Panasonic FZ70 Vlogging advice
24
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
26
pretty wide (20mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic support
heavier than others (606g)
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic FZ70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic FZ70
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-01-07 2013-07-18
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 20-1200mm (60.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT Screen LCD Display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 202k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.00 m 13.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (50i/60i, 25p/30p), 1280 x 720p (50p/60p or 25p/30p), 640 x 480 (25p/30p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 grams (0.91 pounds) 606 grams (1.34 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 130 x 97 x 118mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 4.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 41
DXO Color Depth score not tested 19.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.8
DXO Low light score not tested 171
Other
Battery life - 400 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $249 $300