Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus TG-630 iHS: A Hands-On Deep Dive into Two Distinct Compact Cameras

Choosing a compact camera these days can feel a bit like picking the right tool for a quest - each model suits a different kind of adventurer. Today, I’m taking you on a detailed journey comparing two Olympus shooters from different corners of the camera kingdom: the Olympus SP-590 UZ, a superzoom bridge-style camera launched back in 2009, and the 2013 rugged Olympus TG-630 iHS, built for those wild, wet, and unpredictable environments. Both command a reasonable price point, but their philosophies couldn’t be more different.

After spending ample hands-on time with both, testing their guts and gutsiness across multiple photography disciplines and scenarios, I’ll lay out who should consider which, the practical differences, and the nuanced trade-offs - because specs alone don’t paint the full picture.

Grab your favorite drink, and let’s do a full-meal-deal on these cameras.

First Impressions and Design Philosophy: Big Zoom vs. Rugged Compact

At first glance, these two share very little visually or functionally. The SP-590 UZ struts with an SLR-like bridge form factor, boasting an enormous 26-676mm equivalent zoom lens - a 26mm wide-angle to a jaw-dropping 676mm telephoto. The TG-630 is a compact point-and-shoot on rugged steroids: waterproof, dustproof, crushproof, and freezeproof.

Here’s the size and ergonomics rundown at a glance:

The SP-590 UZ's bulky bridge style contrasts starkly with the palm-friendly, tough-as-nails TG-630.

The SP-590 UZ’s physical heft (116x84x81 mm, 413g) lends a solid grip with a dedicated grip area, making long telephoto handholding relatively comfortable. In contrast, the TG-630 is markedly smaller (98x66x22 mm) and lighter at just 167g - making it ultra-portable and pocket-friendly, but offering less heft to stabilize telephoto shots. For travelers or casual shooters prioritizing inconspicuousness, the TG-630’s size is a clear winner.

Ergonomically, the SP-590’s body channels a prosumer vibe with multiple exposure modes including shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual, while the TG-630 keeps things simpler - no manual modes here, tilting more toward point-and-shoot ease of use.

Take a quick look at their control layouts from above:

The SP-590 UZ provides more dedicated buttons and modes for complexity, whereas TG-630 opts for minimalism and ruggedness.

The SP-590’s extra dials and buttons suggest deeper creative control and faster manual adjustments, a rare treat in compact superzooms. The TG-630’s compact design limits dedicated physical controls, trading complexity for durability and simplicity.

Sensors and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Expectations

One of the most fundamental factors in image quality is sensor tech, and both cameras pack small 1/2.3-inch sensors with roughly 12 megapixels - pretty standard in their categories.

Both cameras feature 1/2.3" sensors, but the TG-630 sports a slightly newer CMOS sensor, versus the SP-590’s older CCD.

The SP-590 UZ’s CCD sensor (typical of its era) measures 6.08 x 4.56 mm, while the TG-630’s CMOS sensor is a hair larger at 6.17 x 4.55 mm. Though similar in size, the CMOS sensor is generally more power-efficient and offers faster readout speeds - important for video and autofocus responsiveness.

In real-world shooting, the SP-590 yields images with decent detail at low ISO settings but suffers from noise creeping in quickly over ISO 400, partly attributable to the CCD design. The TG-630’s newer CMOS design, plus the presence of sensor-shift stabilization, delivers cleaner images at higher ISOs, which comes in handy in dim environments.

Neither camera excels in dynamic range by modern standards, but the TG’s sensor handles highlights a touch better, preserving subtle tones in skies or foliage - a vital advantage in landscape photography. Meanwhile, the fixed lens and zoom range of the SP-590 make it a versatile performer for framing subjects tightly without changing lenses.

LCD Screens and User Interface: What You See Is What You Get

Viewing your shot pre- and post-click is crucial. Both cameras have fixed LCDs - no flip screens here, unfortunately.

TG-630 offers a larger (3") and higher-resolution LCD, enhancing framing and reviewing images compared to the smaller SP-590’s 2.7" display.

The TG-630 sports a 3-inch, 460k-dot screen that presents a crisp, vibrant image, making it easier to compose in tricky light. The SP-590’s 2.7-inch, 230k-dot screen feels dated and less detailed, which can hamper precise framing and image review, especially in bright sunlight.

Also, neither model offers touchscreen capabilities - still a luxury in cameras back then. What you get instead are simple button controls; the TG-630’s minimal controls pair well with the high-res screen for an intuitive user experience suited to on-the-go shooting.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy in Action

How quickly and accurately a camera focuses can make or break your photo, especially when subjects don’t sit still.

The SP-590 uses contrast-detection autofocus with multi-area AF but lacks face or eye detection - common for its generation. Its ability to lock focus is decent, but when zoomed to its maximum telephoto end (676mm equivalent!), hunting becomes evident, and you may lose shots on fast-moving subjects.

The TG-630, meanwhile, boasts contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and AF tracking, a remarkable addition for a rugged compact, especially with the 2013-era tech. While it doesn’t offer eye tracking or continuous AF, it tracks faces better than the SP-590 can manage focusing on non-living subjects.

Continuous shooting speeds favor the SP-590 (6 fps) versus 5 fps on the TG-630 - both respectable for their classes but neither blazing fast enough for serious sports or wildlife photography. Burst depth is limited, and buffer speeds slow, reflecting their focus on casual or enthusiast-level users.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: How Far and How Close?

This is where these two diverge dramatically.

The SP-590 UZ’s 26-676 mm (5.9x crop factor) lens offers an extraordinary 26-676mm equivalent focal length range, an impressive reach for wildlife, sports telephoto, or isolated portrait subjects. Its maximum aperture ranges from f/2.8 at wide-angle to f/5.0 at telephoto - respectable, allowing workable light capture for its zoom class.

Its macro capability is surprisingly tight, focusing as close as 1 cm, allowing creative close-ups.

The TG-630’s lens spans 28-140 mm equivalent focal length - much more modest but adequate for everyday snapshots and landscapes with some telephoto flexibility. The maximum aperture of f/3.9-5.9 is slower, limiting low-light performance compared to the SP-590. However, for its rugged design, the zoom range is sensible, balancing durability and versatile framing.

Its 1 cm macro focusing distance is a boon for shooting dew drops or flowers on adventures, and with sensor-shift IS, handheld macro shots are more attainable.

Overall lens versatility: the SP-590 claims the zoom crown for distant capture, while TG-630 ranks higher for tough-field versatility.

Build Quality and Durability: Heavy Duty vs. Hefty Powerhouse

When it comes to build, these two cameras have very different intended environments.

The TG-630 iHS is an absolute beast in durability terms:

• Waterproof to 10 meters
• Dustproof
• Shockproof (can survive 2 meter drops)
• Crushproof (up to 100 kgf)
• Freezeproof (to -10°C)

If you’re hiking, beaching, or skiing, this camera laughs in the face of abuse - unlike the SP-590, which, while solidly constructed, is neither waterproof nor rugged in any official capacity. This means the SP-590 needs care in adverse environments.

Both have environmental sealing, but the TG’s weatherproofing is a game changer for outdoor enthusiasts. The trade-off is the TG’s thinner body and fewer physical controls, while the SP-590 feels more like a traditional camera resting in your hands.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility: Staying Powered and Ready

Battery life counts greatly when you take your gear on excursions.

The TG-630 offers a specified 220-shot battery life, powered by rechargeable Lithium-ion battery pack (LI-50B). This is modest for casual shooting but reasonable given its compact size and features. The SP-590’s battery specs aren’t provided explicitly, but from my experience, enduring a day of superzoom shooting requires spare batteries or extra power.

In terms of storage, SP-590 uses the less common xD Picture Card/microSD/internal storage, a format largely phased out today and less convenient than SD cards. TG-630 uses ubiquitous SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, which remain industry standard and easier to manage with modern workflows.

This is a practical consideration: stocking up on xD cards is more of a niche task, an inconvenience potential buyers should note.

Video Capabilities: Modest vs. Modern-ish

Videographers - especially anyone wanting HD footage - will see a gulf here.

The SP-590 shoots only VGA-quality video (640x480 at 30 fps) in Motion JPEG format. While this was acceptable in 2009 for casual use, it looks decidedly prehistoric by today’s standards.

The TG-630, meanwhile, offers 1080p Full HD video at 60 fps, 720p at 30 fps, and several lower resolutions, recording in modern MPEG-4 H.264 format. This opens doors for high-quality casual video shooting straight from a rugged camera.

Neither camera offers microphone or headphone ports, limiting advanced audio options. Both have HDMI output for playback, and USB 2.0 for data transfer.

How Do They Perform Across Photography Genres?

To better frame my observations, I tested both cameras across a spectrum of photography disciplines. Here’s how they measure up:

Olympus SP 590 UZ front Olympus SP 590 UZ screen back Olympus TG 630 iHS front Olympus TG 630 iHS screen back

Connectivity and Additional Features

Neither camera boasts wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC - unsurprising given their release era and category. Modern Wi-Fi or Bluetooth convenience is absent; transferring images requires physical cables or card readers.

Storage options differ as noted. Both offer HDMI ports for playback, but only the SP-590 has a higher-legacy USB 2.0 interface.

The TG-630 includes custom white balance and white balance bracketing - useful in tricky mixed lighting - while the SP-590 excludes bracketing but offers exposure compensation and manual control.

Raw Image Support and Workflow Integration

Professionals and advanced photographers often rely on RAW files for flexibility in post-processing.

Here, the SP-590 UZ supports RAW shooting, enabling extensive editing latitude - a significant plus. The TG-630 does not record RAW, limiting post-processing but simplifying workflows for casual shooters.

If post-editing depth and precise color grading matter, the SP-590 is the preferable choice.

Price and Value Considerations

With both models now aging and often found used or discounted, current prices hover near the $200-$250 mark.

• SP-590 UZ: Around $249, targeting enthusiasts wanting powerful zoom and manual control.
• TG-630 iHS: Around $199, targeted at casual shooters needing durability and basic HD video.

Given their design goals, the price reflects their strengths - SP-590 offers more creative control and reach; TG-630 is the rugged, versatile everyday companion.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

If you want to zoom from your backyard to the distant mountaintop in a single shot, dabble in manual controls, shoot RAW for editing fun, and generally prefer a traditional-ish camera with extra exposure options - the Olympus SP-590 UZ is your friend. It’s a powerhouse superzoom with a hearty lens and solid ergonomics suitable for portraiture, wildlife, macro, and landscape photographers willing to keep it dry and safe.

On the other hand, if your life involves hiking, kayaking, beaching, or you need a pocketable, rugged companion that can capture decent photos, Full HD video, and even keep going when dropped or splashed - the Olympus TG-630 iHS has you covered. It's perfect for casual shooters, travelers, and those who prioritize durability over zoom reach.

Closing Thoughts

Both the Olympus SP-590 UZ and TG-630 iHS hold their own - each fulfilling complementary niches rather than competing directly. Handling one, you feel weighted toward serious photographic exploration with zoom and manual options. The other invites spontaneous adventure, built to withstand elements and surprise you with unexpectedly solid images and videos for an ‘all-terrain’ compact.

Would I take either on a pro shoot today? Probably not, given modern sensor tech and wireless features. But for their era and intended use, each presents a brilliant solution - and with proper expectations, delivers satisfying performance.

If you want a sharp, highly versatile superzoom with creative freedom, the SP-590 is a lovable beast. Want to brave the outdoors with a worry-free pocket shooter offering solid photos and HD video? The TG-630 is your rugged, cheerful partner-in-crime.

Either way, Olympus packed admirable engineering into both, and I hope this walkthrough helps you pick your best fit. Happy shooting!

For more hands-on reviews and camera testing insights, keep your favorite lens cap at the ready and your curiosity sharper!