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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax 645D

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
76
Features
52
Overall
66

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax 645D 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
  • Launched January 2009
  • Successor is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Pentax 645D
(Full Review)
  • 40MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • No Video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1480g - 156 x 117 x 119mm
  • Introduced March 2010
  • Renewed by Pentax 645Z
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax 645D Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Pentax 645D, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and 645D (40MP) and the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and 645D (Medium format) possess different sensor sizes.

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The SP-590 UZ was released 14 months prior to the 645D making the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the SP-590 UZ matches up against the 645D with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Pentax 645D

 SP-590 UZ 645D 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 645D SP-590 UZ 
IntroducedMarch 2010January 2009More modern by 14 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax 645D

 SP-590 UZ 645D 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ comes with external dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Pentax 645D has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") accompanied by a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Pentax 645D in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SP-590 UZ versus the 645D.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and 645D is 72 and 50 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes only by researching technical specs. The picture below will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and 645D.

As you have seen, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SP-590 UZ due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax 645D will provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 28 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged SP-590 UZ will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography factors
Pentax 645D Portrait photography factors
36
has manual focus
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
77
manual focus
high megapixels (40MP)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography factors
Pentax 645D Street photography factors
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
58
sensor size is great (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography advice
Pentax 645D Sports photography advice
38
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
63
high megapixels (40MP)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
environment proof
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low battery (800 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Travel photography camera
58
environment sealing
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
low MP (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
55
environment proof
high megapixels (40 megapixels)
low battery (800 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography features
Pentax 645D Landscape photography features
45
has manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
72
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
high megapixels (40 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
no anti-alias filter
saves RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low battery (800 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging highlights
Pentax 645D Vlogging highlights
24
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic support
9
can't record video
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax 645D
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax 645D
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax 645D
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Launched 2009-01-07 2010-03-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" Medium format
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 40 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 7264 x 5440
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 64 200
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.9 0.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/125 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 grams (0.91 lb) 1480 grams (3.26 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 1262
Other
Battery life - 800 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Two
Pricing at launch $249 $4,000