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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Launched November 2003
  • New Model is Olympus E-3
Olympus SP-590 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Olympus E-1 and Olympus SP-590 UZ, former being a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are built by Olympus. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") possess different sensor measurements.

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The E-1 was introduced 6 years before the SP-590 UZ and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-1 matches up vs the SP-590 UZ in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-1 SP-590 UZ 

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus E-1

 SP-590 UZ E-1 
ReleasedJanuary 2009November 2003More recent by 62 months
Screen dimension2.7"1.8"Bigger screen (+0.9")
Screen resolution230k134kSharper screen (+96k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-1 SP-590 UZ 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-1 enjoys external dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") along with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) and the Olympus SP-590 UZ has sizing of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-1 and Olympus SP-590 UZ in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the E-1 compared to the SP-590 UZ.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-1 and SP-590 UZ is 59 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements just by looking through specs. The graphic here should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-1 and SP-590 UZ.

All in all, each of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-1 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Olympus SP-590 UZ will provide you with greater detail using its extra 7MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The older E-1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
46
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
low MP (5 megapixels)
36
manual focus
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography features
Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography features
57
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
lighter than others (735g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
59
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proof
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography advice
Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography advice
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low MP (5 megapixels)
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
47
lighter than others (735 grams)
weather proof
lack of Time Lapse mode
low MP (5 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
58
weather proof
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-1
Landscape photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
46
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inch)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (5MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
45
manual focus
reasonably wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proof
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-1
Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
9
no video
24
reasonably wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Olympus E-1Olympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-1 Olympus SP-590 UZ
Category Pro DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2003-11-29 2009-01-07
Body design Large SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Highest Possible resolution 2560 x 1920 3968 x 2976
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-676mm (26.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range - 1cm
Available lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 1.8 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 134k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 8.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 640x480
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735g (1.62 pounds) 413g (0.91 pounds)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2")
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 (2 or 12 sec) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $1,700 $249