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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-3

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-3 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
  • New Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The SP-590 UZ was introduced 6 years earlier than the K-3 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the SP-590 UZ scores versus the K-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Pentax K-3

 SP-590 UZ K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 K-3 SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedApril 2014January 2009Fresher by 63 months
Screen dimension3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-3

 SP-590 UZ K-3 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ offers outside measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the K-3.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and K-3 is 72 and 59 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through specs. The visual underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-590 UZ and K-3.

All in all, both of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SP-590 UZ with its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-3 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
36
you can focus manually
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
79
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography info
Pentax K-3 Street photography info
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
great ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography factors
Pentax K-3 Sports photography factors
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery power (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
58
environment sealing
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
60
weather proof
megapixel count decent (24MP)
flash built-in
low battery power (560 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
45
you can focus manually
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no low pass filter
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
low battery power (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
24
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone socket
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone support
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-3
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax K-3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax K-3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-01-07 2014-04-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 grams (0.91 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 1216
Other
Battery life - 560 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One Two
Launch price $249 $639