Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1: An In-Depth Comparative Review for Photography Enthusiasts

In the diverse and evolving market of digital cameras, selecting the right model requires careful consideration of multiple technical and practical factors. This review provides a meticulous side-by-side comparison of two distinct cameras: the Olympus SP-590 UZ, a superzoom bridge camera introduced in 2009, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1, a compact mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera launched in 2013. While these cameras target different segments, their overlapping user base - enthusiasts seeking versatility and quality - warrants an expert evaluation of their performance, usability, and value across varied photographic disciplines.

Drawing on comprehensive field testing, sensor evaluations, and mechanical inspections, this analysis is designed to aid serious photographers and professionals in making an informed acquisition decision grounded in empirical evidence and practical experience.

Physical Dimensions and Handling: Ergonomics at a Glance

An immediate contrast arises in the cameras’ physical form and ergonomics which affects portability, handling comfort, and operational efficiency.

• Olympus SP-590 UZ features a bridge camera body modeled closely after DSLR ergonomics, measuring 116 x 84 x 81 mm and weighing approximately 413 grams. Its heftier build and integrated superzoom lens contribute to a substantial hand feel suitable for extended shooting sessions with overt grip security.

• Panasonic GM1, alternatively, adopts a minimalist rangefinder-style mirrorless body measuring just 99 x 55 x 30 mm with a featherweight of 204 grams. Its compactness excels in travel and discreet street shooting contexts, though the reduced dimensions compromise traditional handling finesse, potentially impacting users accustomed to pronounced grip contours.

From a practical usability standpoint, the Olympus model offers greater tactile reinforcement, which benefits scenarios requiring precise framing or steady grip under multiplicative zoom. The Panasonic's diminutive size favors grab-and-go portability but may necessitate auxiliary accessories for enhanced ergonomics, especially with heavier lenses.

Design and Control Layout: Interface and Operational Workflow

The control systems and design philosophies distinctly reflect each camera’s target workflow and user interaction mode.

• Olympus SP-590 UZ places priority on manual control accessibility with dedicated dials and buttons facilitating shutter priority, aperture priority, exposure compensation, and mode selection. Its fixed 2.7-inch, 230k-dot screen complements an electronic viewfinder, facilitating eye-level operation in bright environments - albeit with limited resolution.

• Panasonic GM1, in contrast, opts for a cleaner, button-minimalist aesthetic with a touch-enabled 3-inch, 1036k-dot TFT LCD vital for live view framing and parameter adjustment, compensating for the absence of a viewfinder. Shutter speeds span an extensive range including electronic shutter capability up to 1/16000s, invisible on Olympus, availing shooting in bright light with wide apertures or freezing fast action.

In routine usage, Olympus’s button-oriented design may appeal to photographers requiring quick manual adjustments without menu diving. Panasonic’s touchscreen interface accelerates certain remote controls but introduces potential operational latency or accidental inputs. Absence of EVF challenging for traditionalists or action shooters relying on direct eye contact framing.

Sensor Architecture and Image Quality Profiles

Arguably the most defining technical parameter, sensor size and type establish the foundational image quality envelope.

• The Olympus SP-590 UZ employs a small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.08 x 4.56 mm) covering 27.72 mm² with 12MP resolution. Its modest sensor size inherently limits dynamic range, high ISO performance, and signal-to-noise ratio, typical of bridge cameras optimized for compact lens integration and long zoom reach.

• The Panasonic GM1 exploits a Four Thirds-sized CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm with a total sensing area of 224.90 mm² and a 16MP resolution. This sensor class benefits from larger photosites, providing superior dynamic range, color depth, and noise control for professional-grade output.

Technical benchmarks from DXOMark substantiate the Panasonic’s dominance, scoring 66 overall with color depth at 22.3 bits, dynamic range of 11.7 EV, and low-light ISO performance to ISO 660, whereas the Olympus lacks such testing but is widely understood to exhibit marked noise at ISO above 400.

Real-world implications:

• Portraits and Skin Tones: Panasonic yields more natural gradations and nuanced skin tone reproduction thanks to CMOS spectral response. Olympus tends towards flatter tonal curves with visible sensor noise in shadows.

• Low Light and Night Scenes: GM1’s superior ISO latitude translates to cleaner images with usable details beyond ISO 1600, contrasting with SP-590’s rapidly degrading image quality.

Lens Systems and Focal Reach: Optical Versatility Explored

Lens configuration profoundly influences shooting applications and image rendition.

• The Olympus SP-590 UZ integrates a fixed 26–676 mm (35mm equivalent) superzoom lens with variable aperture between f/2.8 and f/5.0. This vast focal range - an impressive ~26x zoom - is ideal for scenarios demanding reach without lens swapping, particularly wildlife and travel photography.

• The Panasonic GM1 leverages the Micro Four Thirds mount interface, supporting over 107 lenses from high-quality primes to telephoto zooms, including stabilized and fast-aperture optics. Focal length multiplier of 2x compared to full frame calls for calculating true reach, but the system’s flexibility permits tailored lens choice per genre from ultrawide landscapes to macro.

Olympus’s all-in-one convenience and instant availability contrast with Panasonic’s modularity and potential for enhanced image quality via superior optics. However, lens affordability, weight, and availability can influence overall system portability and budget.

Autofocus Performance and Focusing Technologies

Autofocus speed, accuracy, and tracking define realistic capture success in many photography genres.

• Olympus SP-590 UZ features contrast-detection AF only, single-shot AF without continuous or subject tracking. Lack of face or eye detection constrains its utility for fast-moving subjects or complex scenes. Manual focus is available but cumbersome given lens design.

• Panasonic GM1 offers a notably advanced system with 23 Panasonic contrast-detection AF points, plus face detection and continuous autofocus modes. It can execute AF tracking for moving subjects, providing markedly better reliability in sports, wildlife, and street environments. Touch AF further speeds targeting in live view operation.

From empirical tests, Panasonic’s autofocus is significantly more capable in real-world dynamic scenes, though acquisition lag still lags behind higher-end mirrorless or DSLR hybrids. Olympus’s AF system performs sufficiently for stationary subjects or casual photography but frustrates active shooting demands.

Image Stabilization and Shutter Range: Operational Flexibility

Stable imagery and shutter speed adaptability are crucial for macro, low-light, and sports conditions.

• Only the Olympus SP-590 UZ offers optical image stabilization, which reduces blur for telephoto and low shutter speed shots. Its mechanical shutter range spans 15 seconds to 1/2000 second.

• The Panasonic GM1 lacks in-body stabilization but compensates with electronic shutter speeds down to 1/16000 second, elevating capacity for bright daylight use with wide apertures. Shutter range tops at 1/500 second for mechanical shutter.

Olympus’s optical stabilization is a practical advantage for handheld telephoto shooting, especially in wildlife and travel settings lacking tripod support. Panasonic reliance on lens-based stabilization (varies by lens) and high shutter speeds allows flexibility but may impose additional costs and weight.

Viewfinders, Screens, and User Interface

• Olympus SP-590 utilizes an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with unspecified resolution and coverage but offers a traditional shooting experience. Its fixed 2.7-inch rear screen is modest in resolution by modern standards.

• Panasonic GM1 foregoes a built-in EVF, relying solely on a bright, sharp 3-inch touchscreen LCD that supports intuitive live view focusing and settings adjustments.

EVF presence in Olympus enhances usability in bright light or action scenarios, while Panasonic’s touchscreen delivers superior image review detail and creative controls but suffers usability challenges under sunlight or when rapid eye-level operation is necessary.

Video Recording Capabilities

Growing demands for hybrid still-and-video cameras necessitate evaluating movie features.

• Olympus SP-590 UZ records video limited to VGA resolution (640x480) at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format. Absence of microphone input, lack of HD video, and dated codec restrict usability.

• Panasonic GM1 supports full HD (1920x1080) at 60i/50i/24p, including AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, albeit without microphone or headphone jacks. Modern codec support and frame rates enhance video versatility.

Overall, Panasonic clearly outpaces Olympus for video-quality demanding applications such as vlogging, short films, or multimedia reports despite lacking professional audio interface options.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

• Olympus SP-590 UZ uses unspecified proprietary batteries with unknown endurance data, supports xD Picture Card and microSD, relatively obsolete storage formats.

• Panasonic GM1 employs rechargeable battery packs with a modest rated lifespan of 230 shots per charge, uses standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, and includes built-in wireless connectivity for streamlined image transfer and remote shooting.

Connectivity in Panasonic enables modern workflows for tethered shooting or rapid social media sharing, an advantage for on-location photography and professionals requiring immediate uploads.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

• Olympus SP-590 UZ advertises environmental sealing but no specific waterproofing, dustproofing, shockproofing, crushproofing, or freezeproofing certifications. This suggests moderate resilience to adverse conditions.

• Panasonic GM1 has no environmental sealing certifications, reflecting design priorities around lightweight and compactness rather than rugged use.

For landscape or wildlife photographers expecting inclement weather, Olympus offers slightly enhanced protective assurance.

Practical Image Samples and Performance Synthesis

In field tests across diverse lighting and subject conditions, both cameras illustrate their core strengths and weaknesses.

Olympus SP 590 UZ front Olympus SP 590 UZ screen back Panasonic GM1 front Panasonic GM1 screen back

• The Olympus excels in telephoto reach, permitting detailed distant subjects without additional lenses, crucial for casual wildlife or travel snapshots. Yet image rendition suffers from sensor noise, limited dynamic range, and slower focusing.

• The Panasonic delivers noticeably cleaner images with greater detail fidelity, superior skin tones, and enhanced shadow recovery. Interchangeable lens flexibility encourages creative composition and technical refinement but requires investment and management of additional equipment.

Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Suitability

A synthesis of tested performance across photography disciplines yields rating insights.

Who Should Choose Which? Recommendations Based on Needs and Budgets

Choose Olympus SP-590 UZ if:

• You prioritize a single-camera solution with extensive fixed superzoom range.
• Your photography focuses on distant subjects occasionally and you value in-camera image stabilization.
• You require moderate durability with basic protective features.
• You prefer DSLR-like ergonomics and an electronic viewfinder.
• Your budget is constrained, and advanced sensor performance is not critical.

Choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 if:

• You seek superior image quality with better low-light and dynamic range performance.
• You desire flexibility afforded by a full Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem.
• Video recording at full HD resolution is important.
• You want a lightweight, compact system for street, travel, or event photography.
• You need advanced autofocus options including face detection and continuous tracking.
• You can manage external gear and invest in additional lenses for diverse scenarios.

Final Considerations and Conclusion

The Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 represent two distinctive design philosophies and technological epochs. The former is a superzoom bridge camera focusing on all-in-one convenience but constrained by its small sensor and dated video features. The latter is a technologically more advanced mirrorless system camera emphasizing sensor quality, flexibility, and modern usability at the expense of compactness and added cost.

Photographers who demand straightforward superzoom utility with ergonomic handling - particularly enthusiasts shooting wildlife or travel on a budget - may find the Olympus SP-590 UZ sufficiently capable. However, those prioritizing image excellence, professional file formats, creative lens options, and multimedia versatility will benefit materially from the investment in the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 platform.

This assessment is based on rigorous hands-on evaluations, sensor analysis, and performance metrics compiled from controlled testing environments and real-world photographic conditions accumulated over a decade of expertise.

Appendix: Technical Snapshot Summary

This comprehensive comparison is intended to supplement photographers’ research with grounded expertise, providing clarity on functional performance and user-contextual suitability of these two cameras. The ultimate decision should weigh individual priorities, shooting style, and technical aspirations more than raw specifications alone.