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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

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
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are created by Olympus. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was released 4 years prior to the SZ-12 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SP-590 UZ scores against the SZ-12 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus SZ-12

 SP-590 UZ SZ-12 
Manually focus More exact focusing

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 SZ-12 SP-590 UZ 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012January 2009Fresher by 36 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus SZ-12

 SP-590 UZ SZ-12 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SP-590 UZ comes with outside dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-12 has specifications of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Olympus SZ-12 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SP-590 UZ and the SZ-12.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and SZ-12 is 72 and 89 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizing purely by checking out technical specs. The visual here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and SZ-12.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Olympus SZ-12 to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images much more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ will be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography details
36
has manual focus
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography information
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography information
59
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography details
38
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
40
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography details
58
weather proof
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than others in class (226g)
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (220 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
45
has manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
40
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery power (220 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
24
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus SZ-12
 Olympus SP-590 UZOlympus SZ-12
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Olympus SZ-12
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-01-07 2012-01-10
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1700s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 gr (0.91 lb) 226 gr (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 220 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - LI-50B
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $249 $350