Clicky

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax E90

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax E90 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
  • Announced January 2009
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Pentax E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Revealed January 2010
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax E90 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax E90, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the E90 (10MP) is relatively close and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SP-590 UZ was revealed 12 months before the E90 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax E90 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SP-590 UZ matches up versus the E90 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Pentax E90

 SP-590 UZ E90 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 E90 SP-590 UZ 
RevealedJanuary 2010January 2009More recent by 12 months

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax E90

 SP-590 UZ E90 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-590 UZ comes with external dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Pentax E90 has sizing of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax E90 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the SP-590 UZ and the E90.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-590 UZ and E90 is 72 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to envision the gap in sensor measurements only by researching technical specs. The visual below may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-590 UZ and E90.

As you can tell, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Olympus SP-590 UZ to render more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography information
Pentax E90 Portrait photography information
36
focusing manually
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
19
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Street photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Street photography camera
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography info
Pentax E90 Sports photography info
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
16
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Travel photography camera
58
environment proof
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
50
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography info
Pentax E90 Landscape photography info
45
focusing manually
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
22
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Vlogging with Pentax E90
24
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax E90
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax Optio E90
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax Optio E90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-01-07 2010-01-25
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 32-95mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 6cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
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 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413g (0.91 lbs) 145g (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $249 $100