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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Key Specs

Olympus SP-590 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Replacement is Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and LZ20 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SP-590 UZ was brought out 4 years earlier than the LZ20 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SP-590 UZ grades vs the LZ20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic LZ20

 SP-590 UZ LZ20 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 LZ20 SP-590 UZ 
AnnouncedJuly 2012January 2009More recent by 42 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic LZ20

 SP-590 UZ LZ20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SP-590 UZ provides exterior measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LZ20 has specifications of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the SP-590 UZ versus the LZ20.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and LZ20 is 72 and 71 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to see the difference in sensor measurements only by seeing specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-590 UZ and LZ20.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic LZ20 to produce extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ20
37
focusing manually
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
37
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography details
Panasonic LZ20 Street photography details
60
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than others in class (499 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography highlights
Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography highlights
38
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
long zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
good battery power (380 shots)
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Travel photography camera
58
weather sealing
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
good battery power (380 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (525mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (499g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Landscape photography camera
46
focusing manually
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
45
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good battery power (380 shots)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Vlogging camera
24
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
25
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (499 grams)
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic LZ20
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-01-07 2012-07-18
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 6.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
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 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413g (0.91 lb) 499g (1.10 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 380 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
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 Single Single
Launch price $249 $250