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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-r

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Renewed by Olympus SP-600 UZ
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-r Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-r, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the K-r (12MP) is very well matched but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The SP-590 UZ was launched 3 years before the K-r which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the SP-590 UZ matches up against the K-r with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 SP-590 UZ K-r 

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

 K-r SP-590 UZ 
LaunchedMarch 2011January 2009More modern by 26 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-r

 SP-590 UZ K-r 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

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

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has got outer dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Pentax K-r has sizing of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-r 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 the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SP-590 UZ against the K-r.

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

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and K-r is 72 and 67 respectively.

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

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

Often, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking a spec sheet. The pic below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-590 UZ and K-r.

Clearly, both the cameras posses the exact same MP but not the same sensor sizes. The SP-590 UZ comes with the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging. The more aged SP-590 UZ is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography info
Pentax K-r Portrait photography info
36
manual focus
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography advice
Pentax K-r Street photography advice
59
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-r Sports photography highlights
38
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery life (470 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography info
Pentax K-r Travel photography info
58
weather sealing
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
47
has built in flash
low battery life (470 shots)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Landscape photography camera
45
manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
65
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
low battery life (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Vlogging with Pentax K-r
24
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K-r
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax K-r
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax K-r
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-01-07 2011-03-11
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 64 200
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
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 display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 gr (0.91 pounds) 598 gr (1.32 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 755
Other
Battery life - 470 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $249 $1,100