Clicky

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax P70

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax P70 Key Specs

Olympus SP-590 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 413g - 116 x 84 x 81mm
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Later Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Introduced March 2009
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax P70 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax P70, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the P70 (12MP) is relatively similar and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SP-590 UZ was announced about the same time to the P70 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summary of how the SP-590 UZ scores vs the P70 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Pentax P70

 SP-590 UZ P70 

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 P70 SP-590 UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax P70

 SP-590 UZ P70 
IntroducedJanuary 2009March 2009Similar age
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SP-590 UZ offers exterior measurements 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 P70 has specifications of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax P70 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SP-590 UZ versus the P70.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and P70 is 72 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading specifications. The image underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-590 UZ and P70.

To sum up, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical MP therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs but you might want to take the launch date of the products into consideration.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography advice
Pentax P70 Portrait photography advice
37
manual focus
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
27
manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography details
Pentax P70 Street photography details
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (155g)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography features
Pentax P70 Sports photography features
38
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
17
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000 seconds)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography features
Pentax P70 Travel photography features
58
weather proofing
flash built-in
reasonably wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
56
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (155 grams)
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Landscape photography with Pentax P70
46
manual focus
reasonably wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
32
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Vlogging with Pentax P70
24
reasonably wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have microphone port
25
pretty wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (155g)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax P70
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax Optio P70
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax Optio P70
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2009-01-07 2009-03-02
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413g (0.91 pounds) 155g (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
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
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $249 $200