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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs

Olympus E-520
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 552g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Introduced August 2008
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-510
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
  • Revealed January 2009
  • New Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Olympus E-520 and Olympus SP-590 UZ, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the SP-590 UZ (12MP) is pretty similar but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-520 was revealed 4 months before the SP-590 UZ so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E-520 grades vs the SP-590 UZ for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-520 SP-590 UZ 

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus E-520

 SP-590 UZ E-520 

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-520 SP-590 UZ 
RevealedAugust 2008January 2009Similar generation
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-520 comes with outside measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 552 grams (1.22 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).

Analyze the Olympus E-520 and Olympus SP-590 UZ in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-520 vs the SP-590 UZ.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and SP-590 UZ is 68 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-520 and SP-590 UZ.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-520 with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Olympus SP-590 UZ will offer you extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-520
Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
59
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
36
focusing manually
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography factors
Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography factors
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography info
Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography info
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
great battery power (650 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (4.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
52
great battery power (650 shots)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
58
weather sealing
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography factors
Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography factors
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
great battery power (650 CIPA)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
45
focusing manually
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
24
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Olympus E-520Olympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-520 Olympus SP-590 UZ
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2008-08-20 2009-01-07
Physical type Compact SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 3968 x 2976
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-676mm (26.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 640x480
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 gr (1.22 pounds) 413 gr (0.91 pounds)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 548 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $400 $249