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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-1

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-1 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 K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-1 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) feature different sensor sizes.

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The SP-590 UZ was revealed 8 years before the K-1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SP-590 UZ matches up vs the K-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Pentax K-1

 SP-590 UZ K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 K-1 SP-590 UZ 
RevealedFebruary 2016January 2009More recent by 86 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-1

 SP-590 UZ K-1 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SP-590 UZ features 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) while the Pentax K-1 has specifications of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SP-590 UZ compared to the K-1.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-590 UZ and K-1 is 72 and 55 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements purely by researching technical specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-590 UZ and K-1.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SP-590 UZ with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-1 will provide you with extra detail because of its extra 24MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ will be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
37
manual focus
exports RAW files
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
85
manual focus
MP count excellent (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography factors
Pentax K-1 Street photography factors
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
70
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
very good high ISO (204,800)
heavier than others in class (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
38
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (4.4 fps)
low battery life (760 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
58
weather proof
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
53
environment sealing
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
low battery life (760 CIPA)
heavier than others in class (1,010g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
low battery life (760 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
24
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic socket
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic port
does not feature selfie friendly display
heavier than others in class (1,010g)
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-1
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax K-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax K-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-01-07 2016-02-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 36MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 6400 204800
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 4.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/200 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 grams (0.91 lbs) 1010 grams (2.23 lbs)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 96
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.6
DXO Low light score not tested 3280
Other
Battery life - 760 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots Single 2
Retail pricing $249 $1,499