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Olympus E-500 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
70
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Push to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Launched October 2005
  • Additionally referred to as EVOLT E-500
  • Later Model is Olympus E-510
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
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Olympus E-500 versus Olympus SP-590 UZ, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Olympus. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor size.

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The E-500 was introduced 4 years earlier than the SP-590 UZ which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-500 matches up against the SP-590 UZ when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-500 SP-590 UZ 

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus E-500

 SP-590 UZ E-500 
ReleasedJanuary 2009October 2005Newer by 39 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k215kCrisper display (+15k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-500 SP-590 UZ 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-500 has outside measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) whilst the Olympus SP-590 UZ has dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-500 versus Olympus SP-590 UZ in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at that moment. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the E-500 versus the SP-590 UZ.

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-500 and SP-590 UZ is 70 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by looking at specs. The image below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-500 and SP-590 UZ.

All in all, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-500 having a larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus SP-590 UZ will give more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-500 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-500 Portrait photography details
Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography details
48
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
36
you can focus manually
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-500 Street photography information
Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography information
56
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (479 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
low max ISO (400)
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-500 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
38
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-500
Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
52
lighter than competition in class (479 grams)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (8MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
58
environment proofing
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography advice
Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography advice
43
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
low max ISO (400)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
45
you can focus manually
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-500
Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
9
no video shooting
24
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus E-500 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Olympus E-500Olympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-500 Olympus SP-590 UZ
Also Known as EVOLT E-500 -
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2005-10-21 2009-01-07
Physical type Mid-size 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 8 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Full resolution 3264 x 2448 3968 x 2976
Max native ISO 400 6400
Max boosted ISO 1600 -
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-676mm (26.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range - 1cm
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 215 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 8.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
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)
Max video resolution None 640x480
Video data 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 479 gr (1.06 pounds) 413 gr (0.91 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $600 $249