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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS5 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
  • Later Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

The following is a in-depth comparison of the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was unveiled 17 months before the ZS5 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SP-590 UZ scores versus the ZS5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Panasonic ZS5

 SP-590 UZ ZS5 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 ZS5 SP-590 UZ 
LaunchedJune 2010January 2009Newer by 17 months

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZS5

 SP-590 UZ ZS5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has external 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 ZS5 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Panasonic ZS5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the SP-590 UZ versus the ZS5.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and ZS5 is 72 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions merely by checking out technical specs. The pic underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-590 UZ and ZS5.

As you have seen, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of photos although you would want to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged SP-590 UZ will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography highlights
36
you can focus manually
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
27
features face detection focusing
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography information
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS5
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
31
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography highlights
58
environment proof
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography advice
45
you can focus manually
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
33
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
24
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic socket
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Panasonic ZS5
 Olympus SP-590 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-01-07 2010-06-16
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1300s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413g (0.91 pounds) 214g (0.47 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Storage type xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $249 $300