Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

The following is a extensive assessment of the Olympus E-PM2 versus Olympus SP-590 UZ, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are built by Olympus. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") posses different sensor measurements.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The E-PM2 was announced 4 years after the SP-590 UZ which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-PM2 grades vs the SP-590 UZ when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM2 & Olympus SP-590 UZ. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery & Olympus SP-590 UZ Gallery.

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 has got outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Olympus SP-590 UZ has measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PM2 versus Olympus SP-590 UZ in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM2 vs the SP-590 UZ.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and SP-590 UZ is 89 and 72 respectively.

In many cases, its tough to picture the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over a spec sheet. The picture here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and SP-590 UZ.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Olympus E-PM2 will offer you greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The younger E-PM2 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.