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Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Updated by Olympus E-P2
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
  • Updated by Olympus SP-600 UZ
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

Here is a extended assessment of the Olympus E-P1 versus Olympus SP-590 UZ, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both offered by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the SP-590 UZ (12MP) is fairly similar but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor size.

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The E-P1 was introduced 7 months later than the SP-590 UZ so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-P1 matches up against the SP-590 UZ in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-P1 SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedJuly 2009January 2009Fresher by 7 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus E-P1

 SP-590 UZ E-P1 

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-P1 SP-590 UZ 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P1 enjoys exterior dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Olympus SP-590 UZ has proportions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-P1 versus Olympus SP-590 UZ in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-P1 versus the SP-590 UZ.

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-P1 and SP-590 UZ is 86 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing specifications. The graphic here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P1 and SP-590 UZ.

Plainly, both of the cameras have the same megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The E-P1 features the larger sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier. The newer E-P1 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P1
Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
37
manual focus
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Street photography highlights
Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography highlights
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
40
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Travel photography features
Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography features
43
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (300 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
58
weather proof
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Landscape photography factors
Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography factors
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
46
manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P1
Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
24
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone port
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Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Olympus PEN E-P1Olympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus SP-590 UZ
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-07-29 2009-01-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 3968 x 2976
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-676mm (26.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 8.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 gr (0.78 pounds) 413 gr (0.91 pounds)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 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 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $182 $249