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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic S2

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic S2 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
  • Announced January 2009
  • Later Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic S2, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the S2 (14MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was launched 4 years prior to the S2 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SP-590 UZ matches up versus the S2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic S2

 SP-590 UZ S2 
Manually focus More exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 S2 SP-590 UZ 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012January 2009Newer by 36 months

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic S2

 SP-590 UZ S2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ enjoys outside dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Panasonic S2 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic S2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the S2.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and S2 is 72 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The picture underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and S2.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic S2 to offer greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SP-590 UZ is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Portrait photography camera
36
focusing manually
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
33
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Street photography with Panasonic S2
59
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (112g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Sports photography with Panasonic S2
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
39
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
great battery pack (280 shots)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography factors
Panasonic S2 Travel photography factors
58
environment proofing
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
great battery pack (280 CIPA)
lighter than others in class (112g)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Landscape photography camera
45
focusing manually
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
41
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
great battery pack (280 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging info
Panasonic S2 Vlogging info
24
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
32
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than others in class (112g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic S2
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-01-07 2012-01-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.00 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413g (0.91 pounds) 112g (0.25 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 280 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $249 $109