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Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix L840 front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs

Nikon L840
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-855mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 538g - 114 x 89 x 96mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Superseded the Nikon L830
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
  • Released January 2009
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-600 UZ
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Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Olympus. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the L840 (16MP) and SP-590 UZ (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L840 was introduced 6 years later than the SP-590 UZ and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the L840 scores against the SP-590 UZ with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L840 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 L840 SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedFebruary 2015January 2009Fresher by 75 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Nikon L840

 SP-590 UZ L840 
Manual focus More precise focus

Common features in the Nikon L840 and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 L840 SP-590 UZ 
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L840 provides physical dimensions of 114mm x 89mm x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") along with a weight of 538 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Olympus SP-590 UZ has dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

Look at the Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the L840 vs the SP-590 UZ.

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L840 and SP-590 UZ is 67 and 72 respectively.

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the L840 and SP-590 UZ.

As you have seen, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Nikon L840 to offer you greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The newer L840 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L840 Portrait photography details
Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography details
36
MP count decent (16MP)
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
37
focusing manually
exports RAW files
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon L840 Street photography advice
Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography advice
51
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than competitors (538 grams)
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L840 Sports photography details
Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography details
51
great zoom range (23-855mm 37.2 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery (590 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
38
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L840 Travel photography factors
Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography factors
57
good battery (590 shots)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (23mm)
great zoom (855mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (538 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
58
weather proofing
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L840 Landscape photography details
Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography details
43
reasonably wide (23mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
good battery (590 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
46
focusing manually
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L840 Vlogging info
Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging info
27
reasonably wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than competitors (538 grams)
24
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic port
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Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L840 and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Nikon Coolpix L840Olympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Coolpix L840 Olympus SP-590 UZ
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2015-02-10 2009-01-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 3968 x 2976
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-855mm (37.2x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.4fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 8.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 538 grams (1.19 lb) 413 grams (0.91 lb)
Physical dimensions 114 x 89 x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2")
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 590 photos -
Battery form AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SC/SDHC/SDXC xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $400 $249