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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ7 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
  • Renewed by Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
Photography Glossary

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic SZ7, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was introduced 4 years prior to the SZ7 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SP-590 UZ grades vs the SZ7 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic SZ7

 SP-590 UZ SZ7 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 SZ7 SP-590 UZ 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2009More recent by 36 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic SZ7

 SP-590 UZ SZ7 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has got outside dimensions 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 SZ7 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic SZ7 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the SZ7.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and SZ7 is 72 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor measurements only by looking at a spec sheet. The visual here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-590 UZ and SZ7.

Clearly, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic SZ7 to resolve more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography features
Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography features
36
manual focus
saves RAW files
no external flash support
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
33
good resolution (14MP)
has face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography details
Panasonic SZ7 Street photography details
59
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather proof
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (133g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Sports photography camera
38
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography advice
58
weather proof
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than competition in class (133g)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Landscape photography camera
45
manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather proof
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
42
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging information
Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging information
24
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
35
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (133g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic port
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic SZ7
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-01-07 2012-01-09
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 gr (0.91 pounds) 133 gr (0.29 pounds)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 220 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $249 $199