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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 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
  • Updated by Olympus SP-600 UZ
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Launched July 2013
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax MX-1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The SP-590 UZ was announced 5 years earlier than the MX-1 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SP-590 UZ matches up vs the MX-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Pentax MX-1

 SP-590 UZ MX-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 MX-1 SP-590 UZ 
LaunchedJuly 2013January 2009Newer by 54 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax MX-1

 SP-590 UZ MX-1 
Focus manually More precise focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ enjoys physical dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") along with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SP-590 UZ and the MX-1.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and MX-1 is 72 and 84 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions purely by checking out a spec sheet. The image below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-590 UZ and MX-1.

As you can see, the two cameras provide the same megapixels but not the same sensor dimensions. The SP-590 UZ provides the smaller sensor which will make achieving bokeh tougher. The more aged SP-590 UZ will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Portrait photography camera
36
has manual focus
supports RAW files
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
42
manual focus
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography info
Pentax MX-1 Street photography info
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
65
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Sports photography with Pentax MX-1
38
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
better than average battery life (290 CIPA)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography highlights
58
weather proof
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
better than average battery life (290 shots)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (391g)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Landscape photography with Pentax MX-1
45
has manual focus
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
55
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (290 CIPA)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Vlogging with Pentax MX-1
24
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic socket
33
relatively wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no microphone jack
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax MX-1
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax MX-1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax MX-1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-01-07 2013-07-01
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 grams (0.91 lbs) 391 grams (0.86 lbs)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 208
Other
Battery life - 290 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $249 $400