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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LS5 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
  • Released January 2009
  • New Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Released July 2011
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic LS5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is very close and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was unveiled 3 years prior to the LS5 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic LS5 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a short overview of how the SP-590 UZ scores against the LS5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic LS5

 SP-590 UZ LS5 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 LS5 SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedJuly 2011January 2009More modern by 30 months

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic LS5

 SP-590 UZ LS5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ features 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 LS5 has measurements of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic LS5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SP-590 UZ compared to the LS5.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-590 UZ and LS5 is 72 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The image below should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and LS5.

Clearly, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic LS5 to render more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged SP-590 UZ will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Portrait photography camera
37
has manual focus
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
33
good resolution (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Street photography with Panasonic LS5
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography information
Panasonic LS5 Sports photography information
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
32
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (160 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography information
Panasonic LS5 Travel photography information
58
environment proofing
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than competition (126 grams)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (160 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Landscape photography camera
46
has manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
36
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery (160 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging factors
Panasonic LS5 Vlogging factors
24
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
32
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition (126g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic LS5
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-01-07 2011-07-21
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.00 m 4.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 grams (0.91 lb) 126 grams (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 160 photographs
Battery type - AA
Battery model - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $249 $294