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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched November 2011
  • New Model is Olympus E-PM2
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
  • Updated by Olympus SP-600 UZ
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the SP-590 UZ (12MP) is relatively similar but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM1 was launched 2 years after the SP-590 UZ which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-PM1 grades versus the SP-590 UZ in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-PM1 SP-590 UZ 
AnnouncedNovember 2011January 2009Newer by 35 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus E-PM1

 SP-590 UZ E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E-PM1 SP-590 UZ 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 comes with exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst 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-PM1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PM1 vs the SP-590 UZ.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and SP-590 UZ is 89 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to see the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The picture below may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and SP-590 UZ.

As you can tell, both cameras come with the identical resolution albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 uses the bigger sensor which should make getting shallower DOF simpler. The more recent E-PM1 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
36
has manual focus
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography factors
Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography factors
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
no phase detect autofocus
38
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography features
Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography features
45
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
58
environment proof
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography details
Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography details
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
no Timelapse function
45
has manual focus
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM1
Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external microphone support
24
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Olympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus SP-590 UZ
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-11-23 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 measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 3968 x 2976
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
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 range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 8.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 265g (0.58 lbs) 413g (0.91 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 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 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $499 $249