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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K20D

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K20D 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
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K10D
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K20D Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K20D, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the K20D (15MP) is pretty well matched but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and K20D (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The SP-590 UZ was launched 7 months later than the K20D which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SP-590 UZ matches up vs the K20D with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Pentax K20D

 SP-590 UZ K20D 
ReleasedJanuary 2009June 2008More recent by 7 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 K20D SP-590 UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K20D

 SP-590 UZ K20D 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has external dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") along with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Pentax K20D has sizing of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K20D in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SP-590 UZ compared to the K20D.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and K20D is 72 and 59 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by looking at technical specs. The visual here will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and K20D.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SP-590 UZ because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh tougher and the Pentax K20D will give more detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The newer SP-590 UZ should have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Portrait photography with Pentax K20D
37
you can focus manually
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
72
manual focus
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography advice
Pentax K20D Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Sports photography camera
38
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Travel photography camera
58
weather proof
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
64
environment proof
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Landscape photography with Pentax K20D
46
you can focus manually
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
71
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K20D as a Vlogging camera
24
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
9
no video
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax K20D
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax K20D
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax K20D
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-01-07 2008-06-25
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 secs
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) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 grams (0.91 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 65
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 639
Other
Battery model - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $249 $700