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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q 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
  • Released January 2009
  • Renewed by Olympus SP-600 UZ
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Updated by Pentax Q10
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Pentax Q, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was launched 3 years prior to the Q which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SP-590 UZ scores against the Q in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 SP-590 UZ Q 

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

 Q SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedJune 2011January 2009Newer by 29 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

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

 SP-590 UZ Q 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-590 UZ offers outer dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Pentax Q in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the SP-590 UZ compared to the Q.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and Q is 72 and 93 respectively.

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

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions just by viewing specifications. The image below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-590 UZ and Q.

To sum up, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of photographs though you may want to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged SP-590 UZ will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
37
manual focus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
45
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography information
Pentax Q Street photography information
60
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (180g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q as a Sports photography camera
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q Travel photography highlights
58
environment sealing
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
lighter than competition (180g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
51
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging advice
Pentax Q Vlogging advice
24
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (180 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic socket
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax Q
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax Q
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax Q
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-01-07 2011-06-23
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.00 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 grams (0.91 lb) 180 grams (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life - 230 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $249 $695