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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZR3 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
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Successor is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Following is a thorough assessment of the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic ZR3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is pretty similar and they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was revealed 12 months before the ZR3 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SP-590 UZ grades versus the ZR3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic ZR3

 SP-590 UZ ZR3 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 ZR3 SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedJanuary 2010January 2009More modern by 12 months

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZR3

 SP-590 UZ ZR3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has outside measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic ZR3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the ZR3.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and ZR3 is 72 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by reading specifications. The image here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-590 UZ and ZR3.

Plainly, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic ZR3 to offer extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SP-590 UZ is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR3
37
has manual focus
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather proof
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
includes tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
58
weather proof
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography highlights
46
has manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather proof
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
37
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging info
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging info
24
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external mic port
29
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone jack
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-01-07 2010-01-26
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD II
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 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
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 - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.00 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413g (0.91 pounds) 159g (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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
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
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $249 $280