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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax X90

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax X90 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 X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Released July 2010
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax X90 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the X90 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SP-590 UZ was released 18 months before the X90 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SP-590 UZ scores versus the X90 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Pentax X90

 SP-590 UZ X90 

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 X90 SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedJuly 2010January 2009More modern by 18 months

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax X90

 SP-590 UZ X90 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ comes with outside 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 X90 has dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax X90 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the X90.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax X90 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-590 UZ and X90 is 72 and 69 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by checking out technical specs. The picture below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and X90.

As you have seen, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos though you will want to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged SP-590 UZ will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography highlights
Pentax X90 Portrait photography highlights
36
has manual focus
exports RAW files
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
28
has manual focus
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Street photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Street photography camera
59
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Sports photography camera
38
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
42
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography advice
Pentax X90 Travel photography advice
58
weather proofing
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography features
Pentax X90 Landscape photography features
45
has manual focus
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
35
has manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging details
Pentax X90 Vlogging details
24
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external microphone support
23
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Pentax X90
 Olympus SP-590 UZPentax X90
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Pentax X90
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-01-07 2010-07-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.00 m 9.10 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
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)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 gr (0.91 lb) 428 gr (0.94 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 model - D-L106
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $249 $350