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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL2
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
  • New Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus SP-590 UZ, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the SP-590 UZ (12MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL3 was introduced 2 years after the SP-590 UZ which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-PL3 scores vs the SP-590 UZ with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-PL3 SP-590 UZ 
AnnouncedSeptember 2011January 2009More modern by 33 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus E-PL3

 SP-590 UZ E-PL3 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-PL3 SP-590 UZ 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 offers outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Olympus SP-590 UZ has proportions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") along with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus SP-590 UZ in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL3 versus the SP-590 UZ.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and SP-590 UZ is 88 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at specs. The pic underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and SP-590 UZ.

All in all, both the cameras posses the exact same resolution albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-PL3 comes with the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF simpler. The younger E-PL3 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography factors
Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography factors
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
36
manual focus
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Street photography camera
84
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography advice
Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography advice
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
44
no Timelapse function
terrible battery power (300 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
58
environment proofing
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
no Timelapse function
45
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging info
Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging info
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone socket
24
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external mic jack
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Olympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Olympus SP-590 UZ
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-09-20 2009-01-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic VI -
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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 3968 x 2976
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 200 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-676mm (26.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313 gr (0.69 lb) 413 gr (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $399 $249