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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic G1

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 front
Portability
82
Imaging
46
Features
50
Overall
47

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic G1 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
  • Released January 2009
  • Renewed by Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic G1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 360g - 124 x 84 x 45mm
  • Launched January 2009
  • Newer Model is Panasonic G2
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic G1 Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic G1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the G1 (12MP) is pretty similar but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and G1 (Four Thirds) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The SP-590 UZ was launched around the same time to the G1 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic G1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a concise view of how the SP-590 UZ matches up vs the G1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic G1

 SP-590 UZ G1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic G1 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 G1 SP-590 UZ 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic G1

 SP-590 UZ G1 
LaunchedJanuary 2009January 2009Similar age
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic G1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ enjoys outer dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Panasonic G1 has measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") having a weight of 360 grams (0.79 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic G1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SP-590 UZ and the G1.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic G1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and G1 is 72 and 82 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic G1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic G1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading specifications. The graphic below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-590 UZ and G1.

Plainly, both the cameras feature the identical megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The SP-590 UZ has got the tinier sensor which should make obtaining bokeh trickier.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic G1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic G1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic G1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography info
Panasonic G1 Portrait photography info
36
you can focus manually
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
57
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography highlights
Panasonic G1 Street photography highlights
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
72
fully articulated screen
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Sports photography with Panasonic G1
38
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
33
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography details
Panasonic G1 Travel photography details
58
environment sealing
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography information
Panasonic G1 Landscape photography information
45
you can focus manually
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
57
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging features
Panasonic G1 Vlogging features
24
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone support
18
can't record video
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic G1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic G1
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-G1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-01-07 2009-01-19
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 3200
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.9 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 10.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
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) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 gr (0.91 lb) 360 gr (0.79 lb)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 124 x 84 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 53
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 463
Other
Battery life - 330 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $249 $0