Olympus E-420 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ
77 Imaging
44 Features
36 Overall
40
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72 Imaging
34 Features
38 Overall
35
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
- Released June 2008
- Superseded the Olympus E-410
(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
- Newer Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview
Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are built by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the SP-590 UZ (12MP) is fairly comparable but the E-420 (Four Thirds) and SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.
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The E-420 was announced 6 months earlier than the SP-590 UZ so they are of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the E-420 scores vs the SP-590 UZ when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-420 & Olympus SP-590 UZ. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-420 Gallery & Olympus SP-590 UZ Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ
E-420 | SP-590 UZ |
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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus E-420
SP-590 UZ | E-420 |
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Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Olympus SP-590 UZ
E-420 | SP-590 UZ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2008 | ![]() | January 2009 | Same age |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Same display dimensions |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch display |
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison
When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-420 comes with exterior dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") having a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Olympus SP-590 UZ has proportions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the E-420 compared to the SP-590 UZ.
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Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and SP-590 UZ is 77 and 72 respectively.
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specifications. The pic below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-420 and SP-590 UZ.
To sum up, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-420 with its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Olympus SP-590 UZ will show extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images way more aggressively.
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications
Olympus E-420 | Olympus SP-590 UZ | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Olympus |
Model | Olympus E-420 | Olympus SP-590 UZ |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2008-06-23 | 2009-01-07 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic III | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | 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 | 10 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | - |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3968 x 2976 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 26-676mm (26.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focus range | - | 1cm |
Amount of lenses | 45 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.7 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 15 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 8.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 640x480 |
Video format | - | Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 426g (0.94 lb) | 413g (0.91 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") | 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 56 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.5 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 527 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 500 pictures | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (12 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $999 | $249 |