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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX3

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX3 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
  • Launched January 2009
  • Successor is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced November 2008
  • Newer Model is Panasonic LX5
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX3 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic LX3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the LX3 (10MP) is very similar but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and LX3 (1/1.63") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The SP-590 UZ was launched 3 months after the LX3 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SP-590 UZ grades versus the LX3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic LX3

 SP-590 UZ LX3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 LX3 SP-590 UZ 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic LX3

 SP-590 UZ LX3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2009November 2008Similar age
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX3 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ features outside measurements 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 LX3 has measurements of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic LX3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the SP-590 UZ compared to the LX3.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-590 UZ and LX3 is 72 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading technical specs. The pic here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-590 UZ and LX3.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SP-590 UZ featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Olympus SP-590 UZ will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a little more aggressively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Portrait photography with Panasonic LX3
37
manual focus
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
40
you can focus manually
delivers RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography advice
Panasonic LX3 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
more heavy than competition (265 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography features
Panasonic LX3 Sports photography features
38
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography factors
Panasonic LX3 Travel photography factors
58
weather proofing
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
60
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (265g)
MP count low (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography features
Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography features
46
manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
52
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Vlogging with Panasonic LX3
24
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic jack
30
fairly wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
more heavy than competition (265 grams)
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic LX3
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-01-07 2008-11-04
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.63"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-60mm (2.5x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.0-2.8
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 4.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.00 m 8.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 grams (0.91 pounds) 265 grams (0.58 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 39
DXO Color Depth score not tested 19.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.8
DXO Low light score not tested 94
Other
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $249 $449