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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus TG-850 iHS

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus TG-850 iHS 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
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Updated by Olympus SP-600 UZ
Olympus TG-850 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Photography Glossary

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Overview

Its time to look closer at the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Olympus TG-850 iHS, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof and both are manufactured by Olympus. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and TG-850 iHS (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was introduced 6 years prior to the TG-850 iHS and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus TG-850 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SP-590 UZ grades vs the TG-850 iHS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 SP-590 UZ TG-850 iHS 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 TG-850 iHS SP-590 UZ 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2009Fresher by 61 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus TG-850 iHS

 SP-590 UZ TG-850 iHS 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ provides outer dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Olympus TG-850 iHS has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Olympus TG-850 iHS in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the SP-590 UZ and the TG-850 iHS.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus TG-850 iHS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and TG-850 iHS is 72 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus TG-850 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing just by looking at technical specs. The visual below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and TG-850 iHS.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus TG-850 iHS to give you more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus TG-850 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
36
has manual focus
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
35
MP count good (16MP)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography advice
Olympus TG-850 iHS Street photography advice
59
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
69
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography factors
Olympus TG-850 iHS Sports photography factors
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
weather proof
good battery life (330 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Travel photography camera
58
weather sealing
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
72
good battery life (330 shots)
weather proof
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (21mm)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography highlights
Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography highlights
45
has manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
50
fairly wide (21mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
weather proof
good battery life (330 per charge)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging advice
Olympus TG-850 iHS Vlogging advice
24
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
33
fairly wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
missing mic port
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus TG-850 iHS
 Olympus SP-590 UZOlympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2009-01-07 2014-01-29
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic VII
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4616 x 3464
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 21-105mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.5-5.7
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 1/2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Yes
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 gr (0.91 pounds) 218 gr (0.48 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Battery life - 330 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-50B
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 sec, 12 sec, Custom Self-Timer (1-30 sec start timer, 1-10 pictures, 1-3 sec interval))
Time lapse recording
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $249 $250