Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SZ-30MR

Below is a extensive assessment of the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Olympus SZ-30MR, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both of them are produced by Olympus. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and SZ-30MR (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SP-590 UZ was brought out 3 years before the SZ-30MR and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SP-590 UZ matches up versus the SZ-30MR in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus SZ-30MR. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus SP-590 UZ Gallery and Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery.

When you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has physical measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-30MR has sizing of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Olympus SZ-30MR in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the SP-590 UZ compared to the SZ-30MR.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-590 UZ and SZ-30MR is 72 and 89 respectively.

Generally, its tough to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by looking at technical specs. The visual below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-590 UZ and SZ-30MR.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Olympus SZ-30MR to give greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.