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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-S1 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-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-S2
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The SP-590 UZ was unveiled 6 years before the K-S1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SP-590 UZ matches up versus the K-S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Pentax K-S1

 SP-590 UZ K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 K-S1 SP-590 UZ 
LaunchedAugust 2014January 2009Fresher by 68 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-S1

 SP-590 UZ K-S1 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-590 UZ comes with exterior measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S1 has sizing of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-S1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SP-590 UZ and the K-S1.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and K-S1 is 72 and 69 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to see the gap in sensor sizing just by going through specifications. The photograph below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-590 UZ and K-S1.

Plainly, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SP-590 UZ with its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-S1 will provide extra detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography highlights
37
has manual focus
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
78
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography details
Pentax K-S1 Street photography details
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (558g)
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Sports photography camera
38
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
69
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames per second)
low battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography advice
58
weather proof
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
lighter than competition (558 grams)
megapixel count good (20MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery life (410 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
46
has manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proof
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
low battery life (410 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging information
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging information
24
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (558 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
missing mic port
Photography Glossary

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-S1
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax K-S1
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax K-S1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-01-07 2014-08-27
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
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 KAF2
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 lb) 558 grams (1.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1061
Other
Battery life - 410 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $249 $339