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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20 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
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Successor is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic ZS20
(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  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15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
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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").

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The 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.

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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 
IntroducedApril 2012January 2009More modern by 40 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZS20

 SP-590 UZ ZS20 
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS20
36
manual focus
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
30
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography highlights
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
65
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than average in class (206g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography advice
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
max fps low (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
includes tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery power (260 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
58
environment proofing
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than average in class (206g)
provides focus by touch
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery power (260 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography details
45
manual focus
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
42
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery power (260 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging advice
24
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (206g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic 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