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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • New Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and SZ8 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was released 6 years earlier than the SZ8 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short summary of how the SP-590 UZ matches up versus the SZ8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic SZ8

 SP-590 UZ SZ8 
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 SZ8 SP-590 UZ 
LaunchedJanuary 2014January 2009More modern by 60 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic SZ8

 SP-590 UZ SZ8 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SP-590 UZ features external 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) while the Panasonic SZ8 has specifications of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic SZ8 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SP-590 UZ versus the SZ8.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and SZ8 is 72 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes only by researching technical specs. The image below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and SZ8.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic SZ8 to result in extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged SP-590 UZ will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
36
focusing manually
saves RAW formats
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography highlights
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (159g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
38
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography information
58
environment proofing
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (200 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography information
45
focusing manually
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
24
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic support
32
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (159g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic SZ8
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-01-07 2014-01-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.00 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 413 grams (0.91 lbs) 159 grams (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 200 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $249 $275