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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic GF1

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic GF1 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
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Refreshed by Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Announced October 2009
  • Successor is Panasonic GF2
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic GF1 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic GF1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the GF1 (12MP) is very comparable but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and GF1 (Four Thirds) feature different sensor sizing.

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The SP-590 UZ was released 9 months prior to the GF1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the SP-590 UZ grades against the GF1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic GF1

 SP-590 UZ GF1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 GF1 SP-590 UZ 
AnnouncedOctober 2009January 2009Fresher by 9 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic GF1

 SP-590 UZ GF1 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera, you need to factor 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) and the Panasonic GF1 has measurements of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic GF1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the SP-590 UZ compared to the GF1.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic GF1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-590 UZ and GF1 is 72 and 85 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic GF1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing merely by checking out specifications. The visual here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-590 UZ and GF1.

Plainly, each of these cameras have got the exact same megapixels but different sensor sizing. The SP-590 UZ provides the smaller sensor which is going to make getting bokeh trickier. The older SP-590 UZ will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic GF1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF1
36
has manual focus
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography information
Panasonic GF1 Street photography information
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
64
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Sports photography camera
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography factors
Panasonic GF1 Travel photography factors
58
weather proofing
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
59
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Landscape photography with Panasonic GF1
45
has manual focus
reasonably wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
60
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Vlogging camera
24
reasonably wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
no external mic support
25
features face detect focus
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic GF1
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-01-07 2009-10-14
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.9 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 gr (0.91 lb) 385 gr (0.85 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 54
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 513
Other
Battery life - 380 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $249 $400