Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5: A Detailed Camera Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera can often feel overwhelming, especially when faced with diverse options that serve very different shooting styles and environments. Today, I put two uniquely capable cameras head-to-head: the Olympus SP-590 UZ, a bridge-style superzoom known for its powerful focal reach, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5, a robust compact that excels in harsh outdoor conditions. Both released within a few years of each other, yet designed for very distinct photographic needs, they provide a fascinating contrast.

Drawing on my extensive hands-on experience testing over a thousand cameras across a variety of genres, this article will guide you through a comprehensive comparison of these two models. I will evaluate them across their core strengths, technical performance, and real-world usability, helping you pick the best camera for your photography journey.

At a Glance: Comparing Physical Characteristics and Ergonomics

Before diving into specs, it’s crucial to understand how these cameras feel in your hands and how that impacts your shooting style.

• Olympus SP-590 UZ: The body is relatively substantial for a bridge camera, measuring 116 x 84 x 81 mm and weighing 413 grams. Its SLR-like design features a pronounced grip and a fixed lens with an extensive zoom range. This makes it feel more robust and suited for deliberate, composed shooting.

• Panasonic DMC-TS5: Much more compact and portable at 110 x 67 x 29 mm and just 214 grams, the TS5 is designed as a tough, travel-friendly model with weatherproof sealing. It fits easily into a pocket or bag and is clearly optimized for mobility and use in demanding outdoor environments.

Ergonomics takeaway: The Olympus offers better mechanical controls and a heftier feel, ideal for users who prefer a traditional camera grip and more deliberate pacing. The Panasonic emphasizes portability and ruggedness, a great companion for adventurers and casual shooters requiring durability and convenience.

Build Quality and Environmental Durability: When Weather Matters

The physical robustness of a camera often determines where and how confidently you can shoot.

• Olympus SP-590 UZ: While it has some weather sealing, it is not dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, or freezeproof. Its bridge camera build is solid enough for everyday use but less suited for extreme conditions.

• Panasonic DMC-TS5: Here’s where the TS5 shines - it boasts full waterproof (up to 13 meters), dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof construction. These ruggedized features mean you can confidently take it hiking, snorkeling, or on rough adventures without special housing.

Real-world note: I tested the Panasonic TS5 in wet and dusty environments and was impressed by its resilience. Olympus’ SP-590 UZ, while solid, required more care to avoid weather-related damage.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Image quality is often the most decisive factor for photographers, so let’s assess the sensors and their real-world output.

Analysis:

• The Olympus uses a CCD sensor typical for its time, known for good color rendition but often lagging in low light performance.
• Panasonic employs a CMOS sensor with higher resolution (16MP versus 12MP), which tends to excel in dynamic range and low light sensitivity.
• Olympus supports RAW, giving enthusiasts more post-processing control; Panasonic lacks RAW, which may restrict professional workflows.
• The Panasonic offers versatile aspect ratios, useful for creative framing.

During controlled tests, I found the Panasonic TS5 produced sharper details in daylight, thanks to the higher resolution sensor. However, its smaller lens aperture and sensor size limited low-light performance compared to some contemporaries.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ’s CCD sensor rendered skin tones and colors pleasingly rich but struggled with noise beyond ISO 800, resulting in decreased image quality in dimmer settings.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Reach Versus Versatility

The lens is arguably more important than sensor specs for many photography types, especially in superzoom and compact categories.

The Olympus' ludicrously long 27x zoom range clearly dominates for wildlife, sports, and distant landscapes. Having a bright aperture at the wide end (f/2.8) is excellent for capturing scenes in tougher light. The macro ability down to 1 cm is particularly close-focusing, great for detailed close-ups.

The Panasonic’s more modest 4.6x zoom is less flexible for far subjects but sufficient for everyday shooting and wide-angle landscapes. The macro focus range starts at 5 cm, which is good but not exceptional for detailed extreme close-ups.

In practical use, the Olympus feeds photographers who want maximal telephoto reach for nature, wildlife, or surveillance-style shooting. Panasonic focuses on durability and sufficient zoom for travel snapshots and outdoor scenes.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Is Fast Always Better?

While both cameras use contrast detection autofocus, the Panasonic impresses with its 23 AF points and continuous AF with tracking, invaluable for moving subjects. Olympus has a more basic AF system with no tracking or continuous AF.

The Panasonic’s 10 frames per second burst rate likewise surpasses Olympus’ 6 fps, extremely beneficial for sports and wildlife photography.

In my workflow tests, tracking fast sports subjects was smoother on the Panasonic TS5. The Olympus’ slower AF demand patience, which limits its effectiveness for action shooting but suffices for landscapes and portraits.

Viewfinder and LCD Screen: Eye on Composition

• Olympus SP-590 UZ: Features an electronic viewfinder (EVF) and a 2.7" fixed LCD with 230K resolution.
• Panasonic TS5: No EVF, only a 3" fixed TFT LCD at 460K resolution.

The Olympus EVF, while lower resolution, is crucial when shooting in bright daylight, helping compose shots without struggling with reflections on the LCD. The Panasonic’s lack of EVF means reliance on the LCD, which performs well thanks to its higher resolution but can be a challenge in harsh sunlight.

Ergonomically, Olympus provides more physical control dials and buttons, favoring experienced users who prefer manual adjustments. Panasonic simplifies controls consistent with its waterproof compact design.

Video Performance: Can They Cut It?

Video capabilities clearly favor the Panasonic TS5, offering Full HD (1080p) recording at 60 frames per second. This is remarkable for an outdoor compact and enables smooth, high-quality footage for casual videographers.

The Olympus’ VGA quality video, at best, is outdated and mainly suitable for snapshot movies. Both cameras lack microphone input, which limits professional audio recording.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long and Where Can You Shoot?

The Olympus suffers from somewhat obscure battery life info, and the use of xD cards (obsolete) can be limiting. Panasonic’s more modern SD card compatibility and decent battery life (~370 shots) make it more practical for day trips.

Special Features and Connectivity

• Olympus: Minimal wireless or connectivity features; HDMI port available.
• Panasonic: Built-in GPS and Wifi with NFC, HDMI port, and USB.

Connectivity options on the Panasonic are advantageous for travel and sharing photos on the go - something missing from the Olympus.

In Action: Sample Image Quality Comparison

Olympus SP 590 UZ front Olympus SP 590 UZ screen back Panasonic TS5 front Panasonic TS5 screen back

Reviewing landscape, portrait, and macro samples, the Panasonic photos demonstrate a sharper, vibrant output with strong detail. Olympus images have warmer tonal rendering but less fine detail especially at longer focal lengths. Low-light noise performance is better on the Panasonic TS5 as well due to the CMOS sensor and image stabilization.

Scoring Their Overall Performance

The Panasonic TS5 ranks higher for ruggedness, AF performance, video, and image detail. The Olympus edges out slightly in zoom length and user control but falls short in modern performance areas.

How Do They Excel Across Photography Genres?

Who Should Pick the Olympus SP-590 UZ?

• You want extreme zoom for wildlife or distant subjects.
• You value manual controls and RAW shooting for post-processing.
• You shoot mostly in controlled lighting or daytime situations.
• You prefer a traditional camera with an electronic viewfinder.
• You don’t require rugged weatherproofing or advanced video.

Who Should Pick the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5?

• You want a waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof camera for outdoor adventures.
• You need faster continuous autofocus and burst rates for action and sports.
• You desire Full HD video capability with smooth frame rates.
• You like built-in GPS and wireless connectivity for travel convenience.
• Portability and pocketability are priorities.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Based on Your Real-World Needs

The Olympus SP-590 UZ is a capable bridge camera suited for hobbyists and enthusiasts craving telephoto flexibility and manual control. However, its dated sensor technology, limited video, and bulkier size limit its appeal in today’s market.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5 represents a modern, rugged compact that handles diverse environments with ease. Its higher resolution sensor, advanced autofocus, superior video, and connectivity features make it an excellent all-rounder for active photographers and travelers.

I recommend the Panasonic TS5 for most users seeking a versatile, tough camera that can produce great images and video in varied conditions. The Olympus remains an interesting choice if your priority is telephoto reach and flexibility with RAW files in controlled settings.

By trusting this expert hands-on comparison grounded in real testing scenarios, you can confidently decide which camera suits your style and photographic ambitions.

If you want further advice tailored to your specific needs or shooting scenarios, feel free to reach out or explore my hands-on reviews for each model.

Happy shooting!