Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ
72 Imaging
34 Features
38 Overall
35


69 Imaging
38 Features
29 Overall
34
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ Key Specs
(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
- Revealed January 2009
- Replacement is Olympus SP-600 UZ
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 22-896mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
- 485g - 117 x 78 x 93mm
- Introduced August 2012
- Older Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
- Updated by Olympus SP-820UZ

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ Overview
Here is a comprehensive review of the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both of them are created by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the SP-820UZ (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SP-590 UZ was launched 4 years earlier than the SP-820UZ and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera.
Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the SP-590 UZ scores versus the SP-820UZ with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SP-590 UZ & Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus SP-590 UZ Gallery & Olympus SP-820UZ Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus SP-820UZ
SP-590 UZ | SP-820UZ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing |
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Olympus SP-590 UZ
SP-820UZ | SP-590 UZ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2012 | ![]() | January 2009 | Fresher by 44 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus SP-820UZ
SP-590 UZ | SP-820UZ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-590 UZ offers exterior dimensions 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 SP-820UZ has sizing of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs).
See the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the SP-590 UZ and the SP-820UZ.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and SP-820UZ is 72 and 69 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing specifications. The graphic below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and SP-820UZ.
To sum up, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can count on the Olympus SP-820UZ to offer you more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ Specifications
Olympus SP-590 UZ | Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus SP-590 UZ | Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2009-01-07 | 2012-08-21 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
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 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3968 x 2976 | 4288 x 3216 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 26-676mm (26.0x) | 22-896mm (40.7x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-5.0 | f/3.4-5.7 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 6.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 8.00 m | 15.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 413g (0.91 pounds) | 485g (1.07 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") | 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Self timer | Yes (12 or 2 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $249 | $299 |