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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Launched January 2009
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Following is a extensive overview of the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SP-590 UZ was introduced 4 months earlier than the ZS3 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SP-590 UZ matches up vs the ZS3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic ZS3

 SP-590 UZ ZS3 
Manually focus More exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 ZS3 SP-590 UZ 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZS3

 SP-590 UZ ZS3 
ReleasedJanuary 2009May 2009Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-590 UZ features exterior dimensions 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 ZS3 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic ZS3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the ZS3.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and ZS3 is 72 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes purely by going through technical specs. The image underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-590 UZ and ZS3.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Olympus SP-590 UZ to show more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography information
36
you can focus manually
delivers RAW files
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography features
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography info
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography info
58
environment proofing
flash built-in
reasonably wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography factors
45
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
35
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging factors
24
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone socket
30
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-01-07 2009-05-14
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413g (0.91 pounds) 229g (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 Overall 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 shooting
Storage type xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $249 $200