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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax S1

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax S1 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 S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Announced March 2011
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax S1 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the S1 (14MP) is very comparable and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was released 3 years earlier than the S1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SP-590 UZ scores vs the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Pentax S1

 SP-590 UZ S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 S1 SP-590 UZ 
AnnouncedMarch 2011January 2009Fresher by 26 months

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax S1

 SP-590 UZ S1 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has got outer 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) whilst the Pentax S1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the S1.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and S1 is 72 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing only by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and S1.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Pentax S1 to show more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Portrait photography with Pentax S1
36
you can focus manually
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
35
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Street photography with Pentax S1
59
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
environment proof
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography info
Pentax S1 Sports photography info
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Travel photography with Pentax S1
58
environment proof
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
64
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography features
Pentax S1 Landscape photography features
45
you can focus manually
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
42
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging details
Pentax S1 Vlogging details
24
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone port
28
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax S1
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax Optio S1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax Optio S1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-01-07 2011-03-02
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 gr (0.91 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $249 $174