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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Introduced October 2019
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • Successor is OM System OM-5
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
  • Announced January 2009
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus SP-590 UZ, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are produced by Olympus. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M5 III was brought out 10 years later than the SP-590 UZ and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the E-M5 III grades versus the SP-590 UZ with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-M5 III SP-590 UZ 
AnnouncedOctober 2019January 2009More recent by 132 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus E-M5 III

 SP-590 UZ E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-M5 III SP-590 UZ 
Manually focus More exact focusing

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 III has outside measurements of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") having a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Olympus SP-590 UZ has dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") along with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus SP-590 UZ in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M5 III compared to the SP-590 UZ.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 III and SP-590 UZ is 80 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements only by looking at technical specs. The photograph underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 III and SP-590 UZ.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-M5 III because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-M5 III will give more detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer E-M5 III is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
77
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
36
has manual focus
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Street photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
83
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has focus via touch
weather proof
good high ISO (25,600)
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Sports photography information
Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography information
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery (310 shots)
38
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
77
weather proof
has bluetooth
has focus via touch
decent megapixels (20MP)
selfie friendly display
terrible battery (310 per charge)
58
weather sealing
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography details
Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography details
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
terrible battery (310 CIPA)
45
has manual focus
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M5 III
Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
84
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has mic jack
24
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIOlympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Olympus SP-590 UZ
Type Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2019-10-17 2009-01-07
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type MOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 3968 x 2976
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 64
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 121 -
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 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter speed 30.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 8.00 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 414 gr (0.91 lb) 413 gr (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 310 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $1,199 $249