• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Olympus SP-590UZ advantages over Panasonic GX1

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $950 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds

Panasonic GX1 advantages over Olympus SP-590UZ

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 98 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Olympus SP-590UZ

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Review Excerpt

  • Appealing design; Good grip; Very good image quality; Fast autofocus; Built-in Level Gauge.

  • Small rear buttons; Below-average battery life; Weak flash; Orange and yellow can have greenish cast in JPEGs; Shutter-induced motion blur with 14-42mm X Vario kit lens.

  • Read our Panasonic GX1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-565UZ

Olympus SP-590UZ
Olympus SP-565UZ
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe

Compare Olympus SP-590UZ vs Olympus SP-565UZ

Panasonic GX1
Olympus SP-565UZ
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus SP-565UZ

Compared to Pentax X70

Olympus SP-590UZ
Pentax X70
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster shutter

Compare Olympus SP-590UZ vs Pentax X70

Panasonic GX1
Pentax X70
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax X70

Compared to Pentax X90

Olympus SP-590UZ
Pentax X90
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Faster shutter

Compare Olympus SP-590UZ vs Pentax X90

Panasonic GX1
Pentax X90
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax X90

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus SP-590UZ
Olympus E-P3
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-590UZ vs Olympus E-P3

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-P3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Olympus SP-590UZ
Panasonic GF6
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-590UZ vs Panasonic GF6

Panasonic GX1
Panasonic GF6
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic GF6

Compare Other Cameras?