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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-120

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Olympus VG-120 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-120 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
  • Released January 2009
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Olympus VG-120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-120 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Olympus VG-120, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact and both are offered by Olympus. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the VG-120 (14MP) is very close and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was unveiled 24 months before the VG-120 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SP-590 UZ scores versus the VG-120 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus VG-120

 SP-590 UZ VG-120 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 VG-120 SP-590 UZ 
IntroducedJanuary 2011January 2009More recent by 24 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus VG-120

 SP-590 UZ VG-120 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-120 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-590 UZ provides external dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Olympus VG-120 has sizing of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Olympus VG-120 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SP-590 UZ versus the VG-120.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-120 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-590 UZ and VG-120 is 72 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-120 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-120 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements purely by viewing specs. The photograph underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-590 UZ and VG-120.

All in all, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Olympus VG-120 to provide you with greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-120 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography highlights
Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography highlights
36
has manual focus
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
33
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
features face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography info
Olympus VG-120 Street photography info
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
48
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography advice
Olympus VG-120 Sports photography advice
38
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
26
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (160 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Travel photography with Olympus VG-120
58
environment proofing
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
62
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (160 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Landscape photography camera
45
has manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
36
decently wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
terrible battery life (160 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging details
Olympus VG-120 Vlogging details
24
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
28
decently wide (26mm)
features face detect focus
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus VG-120
 Olympus SP-590 UZOlympus VG-120
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Olympus VG-120
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Released 2009-01-07 2011-01-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic III
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 7cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.00 m 4.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 grams (0.91 pounds) 120 grams (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 160 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - LI-70B
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $249 $190