Clicky

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-50

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-50 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
  • Released January 2009
  • Later Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-30
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-50, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The SP-590 UZ was unveiled 5 years before the K-50 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SP-590 UZ scores against the K-50 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Pentax K-50

 SP-590 UZ K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 K-50 SP-590 UZ 
AnnouncedNovember 2013January 2009Fresher by 59 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-50

 SP-590 UZ K-50 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ comes with physical dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-50 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-50 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the SP-590 UZ against the K-50.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and K-50 is 72 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by going over specs. The photograph underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and K-50.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SP-590 UZ with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-50 will offer you greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Portrait photography camera
37
manual focus
supports RAW files
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography features
Pentax K-50 Street photography features
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
very good high ISO (51,600)
no moving screen
heavier than average (650g)
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography advice
Pentax K-50 Sports photography advice
38
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 per charge)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Travel photography with Pentax K-50
58
weather proofing
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
56
weather sealing
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery (410 shots)
heavier than average (650g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography info
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography info
46
manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,600)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
terrible battery (410 shots)
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Vlogging with Pentax K-50
24
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone port
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no mic port
heavier than average (650 grams)
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-50
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax K-50
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax K-50
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-01-07 2013-11-27
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 51600
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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 Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 grams (0.91 pounds) 650 grams (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1120
Other
Battery life - 410 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $249 $610