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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q-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
  • Released January 2009
  • New Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Announced August 2014
Photography Glossary

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q-S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is relatively similar but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") use different sensor sizing.

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The SP-590 UZ was introduced 6 years prior to the Q-S1 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SP-590 UZ scores versus the Q-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 SP-590 UZ Q-S1 

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

 Q-S1 SP-590 UZ 
AnnouncedAugust 2014January 2009More recent by 67 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

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

 SP-590 UZ Q-S1 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has got external measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the SP-590 UZ compared to the Q-S1.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and Q-S1 is 72 and 92 respectively.

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

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements only by reading technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-590 UZ and Q-S1.

As you can tell, both the cameras have got the exact same MP albeit different sensor measurements. The SP-590 UZ features the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field tougher. The older SP-590 UZ is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
36
focusing manually
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
46
you can focus manually
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (203g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography factors
38
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
slow fps (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography advice
58
environment proofing
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
has built in flash
not so great battery (250 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography info
45
focusing manually
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging information
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging information
24
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external mic port
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (203g)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax Q-S1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-01-07 2014-08-04
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 grams (0.91 lb) 203 grams (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 life - 250 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $249 $250