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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-160 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
  • Launched January 2009
  • Renewed by Olympus SP-600 UZ
Olympus VG-160
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-160, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Olympus. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is very close and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was announced 4 years before the VG-160 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SP-590 UZ scores vs the VG-160 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus VG-160

 SP-590 UZ VG-160 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 VG-160 SP-590 UZ 
IntroducedJanuary 2012January 2009Newer by 36 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus VG-160

 SP-590 UZ VG-160 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SP-590 UZ features outside measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") along with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Olympus VG-160 has specifications of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-160 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the VG-160.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-590 UZ and VG-160 is 72 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through technical specs. The picture here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-590 UZ and VG-160.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Olympus VG-160 to result in greater detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged SP-590 UZ will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography info
Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography info
37
manual focus
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
34
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
offers face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Street photography with Olympus VG-160
60
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
56
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography info
Olympus VG-160 Sports photography info
38
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
slow frames per second (6.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
27
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (165 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Travel photography with Olympus VG-160
58
environment sealing
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
66
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse function
bad battery (165 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography factors
Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography factors
46
manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
37
really wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery (165 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging advice
Olympus VG-160 Vlogging advice
24
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
30
really wide (26mm)
offers face detect focus
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus VG-160
 Olympus SP-590 UZOlympus VG-160
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Olympus VG-160
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-01-07 2012-01-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 7cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - 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 6.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 4.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 413 grams (0.91 pounds) 125 grams (0.28 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 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
Battery life - 165 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-70B
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $249 $90