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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ Key Specs

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
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Olympus SP-820UZ
(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
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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").

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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.

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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 
IntroducedAugust 2012January 2009Fresher by 44 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus SP-820UZ

 SP-590 UZ SP-820UZ 
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography advice
Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography advice
37
you can focus manually
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
34
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography details
Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography details
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
37
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (485g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Sports photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
33
incredible zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography information
Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography information
58
environment proofing
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
55
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (22mm)
long reach (896mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (485g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography details
Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography details
46
you can focus manually
relatively wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
35
rather wide (22mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Vlogging camera
24
relatively wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic socket
25
rather wide (22mm)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (485 grams)
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus SP-820UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus SP-820UZ
 Olympus SP-590 UZOlympus 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