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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus XZ-1

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Olympus XZ-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
51
Overall
41

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus XZ-1 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
  • Refreshed by Olympus SP-600 UZ
Olympus XZ-1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus XZ-1 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Olympus XZ-1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Olympus. The resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the XZ-1 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and XZ-1 (1/1.63") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The SP-590 UZ was announced 24 months prior to the XZ-1 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus XZ-1 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SP-590 UZ grades versus the XZ-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Olympus XZ-1

 SP-590 UZ XZ-1 

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 XZ-1 SP-590 UZ 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011January 2009Newer by 24 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kSharper screen (+384k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus XZ-1

 SP-590 UZ XZ-1 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus XZ-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has got outer dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Olympus XZ-1 has specifications of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Olympus XZ-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view size comparison of the SP-590 UZ compared to the XZ-1.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus XZ-1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and XZ-1 is 72 and 88 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus XZ-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus XZ-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The image below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and XZ-1.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SP-590 UZ using its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Olympus SP-590 UZ will show extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SP-590 UZ will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus XZ-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Portrait photography with Olympus XZ-1
36
has manual focus
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
45
you can focus manually
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography factors
Olympus XZ-1 Street photography factors
59
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/1.63")
heavier than others in class (275g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography information
Olympus XZ-1 Sports photography information
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
38
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
great battery power (320 per charge)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography highlights
Olympus XZ-1 Travel photography highlights
58
weather proofing
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
great battery power (320 shots)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (275g)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Landscape photography with Olympus XZ-1
45
has manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
54
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
great battery power (320 CIPA)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.63")
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging factors
Olympus XZ-1 Vlogging factors
24
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic support
31
rather wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
heavier than others in class (275g)
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Olympus XZ-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Olympus XZ-1
 Olympus SP-590 UZOlympus XZ-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Olympus XZ-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-01-07 2011-01-26
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic V
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 3664 x 2752
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 614k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - OLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.00 m 8.60 m (ISO 800)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 grams (0.91 pounds) 275 grams (0.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 34
DXO Color Depth score not tested 18.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.4
DXO Low light score not tested 117
Other
Battery life - 320 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - Li-50B
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $249 $567