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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX5

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX5 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
  • Successor is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Introduced December 2011
  • Previous Model is Panasonic LX3
  • Later Model is Panasonic LX7
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX5 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the LX5 (10MP) is relatively similar but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and LX5 (1/1.63") have different sensor measurements.

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The SP-590 UZ was manufactured 3 years earlier than the LX5 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic LX5 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SP-590 UZ scores against the LX5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic LX5

 SP-590 UZ LX5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 LX5 SP-590 UZ 
IntroducedDecember 2011January 2009Newer by 35 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic LX5

 SP-590 UZ LX5 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX5 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in 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") accompanied by a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Panasonic LX5 has measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the LX5.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and LX5 is 72 and 88 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reviewing technical specs. The image here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and LX5.

As you have seen, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SP-590 UZ featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Olympus SP-590 UZ will deliver greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged SP-590 UZ is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Portrait photography with Panasonic LX5
36
manual focus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
41
you can focus manually
supports RAW formats
low resolution (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography factors
Panasonic LX5 Street photography factors
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
59
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/1.63")
heavier than average in class (271g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LX5 as a Sports photography camera
38
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
27
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.63")
no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LX5 as a Travel photography camera
58
weather sealing
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
59
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (271g)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Landscape photography with Panasonic LX5
45
manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
52
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.63")
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LX5 as a Vlogging camera
24
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
29
relatively wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
does not have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
heavier than average in class (271g)
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic LX5
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-01-07 2011-12-15
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-90mm (3.8x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.0-3.3
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 7.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
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 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413g (0.91 pounds) 271g (0.60 pounds)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 41
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 19.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 132
Other
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $249 $294