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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs

Olympus SP-590 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 413g - 116 x 84 x 81mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Later Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SP-590 UZ was revealed 4 months prior to the ZS1 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the SP-590 UZ grades versus the ZS1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic ZS1

 SP-590 UZ ZS1 
Focus manually More precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 ZS1 SP-590 UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZS1

 SP-590 UZ ZS1 
ReleasedJanuary 2009May 2009Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-590 UZ comes with exterior measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS1 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the SP-590 UZ and the ZS1.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and ZS1 is 72 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The picture underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-590 UZ and ZS1.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SP-590 UZ having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Olympus SP-590 UZ will produce more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs way more aggressively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography advice
36
manual focus
exports RAW formats
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
25
features face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS1 Street photography advice
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography advice
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography details
58
weather proof
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS1
45
manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging advice
24
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic socket
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic port
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZS1
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-01-07 2009-05-14
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 6.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 gr (0.91 pounds) 229 gr (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $249 $0