Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20
72 Imaging
34 Features
38 Overall
35
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2009
- Successor is Olympus SP-600 UZ
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
- Introduced April 2012
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
- Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview
In this article, we are analyzing the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is fairly close and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe SP-590 UZ was announced 4 years earlier than the ZS20 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.
Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SP-590 UZ grades versus the ZS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SP-590 UZ & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus SP-590 UZ Gallery & Panasonic ZS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic ZS20
SP-590 UZ | ZS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | Dial exact focus |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ
ZS20 | SP-590 UZ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2012 | January 2009 | More modern by 40 months | |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) | |
Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZS20
SP-590 UZ | ZS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen |
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry around your camera, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ offers physical measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).
Compare the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZS20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SP-590 UZ against the ZS20.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-590 UZ and ZS20 is 72 and 92 respectively.
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes only by viewing specs. The pic here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-590 UZ and ZS20.
All in all, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Panasonic ZS20 to result in greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged SP-590 UZ will be behind in sensor tech.
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications
Olympus SP-590 UZ | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus SP-590 UZ | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 |
Otherwise known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ30 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2009-01-07 | 2012-04-26 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3968 x 2976 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 26-676mm (26.0x) | 24-480mm (20.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8-5.0 | f/3.3-6.4 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 15 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 6.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 8.00 m | 6.40 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 413g (0.91 lb) | 206g (0.45 lb) |
Dimensions | 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 | - | 260 shots |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (12 or 2 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $249 | $349 |