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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS30 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 ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS35
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS30, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was unveiled 5 years before the ZS30 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the SP-590 UZ matches up vs the ZS30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic ZS30

 SP-590 UZ ZS30 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 ZS30 SP-590 UZ 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2009More modern by 48 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZS30

 SP-590 UZ ZS30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-590 UZ provides physical dimensions 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 ZS30 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the SP-590 UZ versus the ZS30.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and ZS30 is 72 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading through a spec sheet. The picture here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-590 UZ and ZS30.

Clearly, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS30 to give extra detail having an extra 6MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The more aged SP-590 UZ is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography info
36
focusing manually
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
33
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than competition (198 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18MP)
features tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
58
weather proof
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition (198 grams)
supports focus by touch
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery life (260 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography features
45
focusing manually
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
44
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery life (260 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
24
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
35
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (198g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZS30
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-01-07 2013-01-07
Body design 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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 grams (0.91 pounds) 198 grams (0.44 pounds)
Physical 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 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
Battery life - 260 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
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
Retail price $249 $250