Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2: A Thorough Look at Two Small Sensor Superzooms

When diving into the world of small sensor superzoom cameras, two models that merit careful examination are the Olympus SP-590 UZ and the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2. Though separated by five years of technological developments and differing in design philosophies, both aim to serve photography enthusiasts who want versatile zoom ranges without lugging around a bulky DSLR.

Having spent extensive hours shooting and comparing these two cameras in various conditions, including portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and street photography, I’m here to share a detailed analysis considering technical design, real-world usability, and image quality. Whether you’re hunting for a budget-friendly superzoom or a hybrid device with Android smarts, this comparison has you covered.

Size and Ergonomics: Handling Two Different Design Mindsets

One of the most immediately noticeable differences is their physical design and handling characteristics. The Olympus SP-590 UZ sits firmly in the bridge camera category, sporting an SLR-like body that’s chunkier and built around the traditional superzoom experience. In contrast, the Galaxy Camera 2 opts for a compact, more slab-like form factor reminiscent of a large smartphone, reflecting its hybrid role as both camera and Android device.

The SP-590 UZ measures 116 × 84 × 81 mm and weighs approximately 413 grams, offering a solid grip that feels reassuring for prolonged shooting sessions. Its heft and pronounced handgrip contribute positively to ergonomics, especially when zooming in to 676mm equivalent focal length - comfort matters here, since precision handling reduces vibrations.

The Galaxy Camera 2 is lighter at 283 grams but significantly slimmer at 133 × 71 × 19 mm. Its slim profile is great for slip-in-pocket portability and street shooting where discretion is key, but it does so at the expense of stability when shooting at full telephoto zoom (483mm equivalent) without a tripod. The flat body also makes it less comfortable to hold steady for extended periods compared to the SP-590’s sculpted grip.

If your photography style prioritizes handheld stability and extended telephoto reach, the SP-590's body type is advantageous. On the other hand, those valuing lightweight mobility, especially for travel or everyday snapping, might prefer Galaxy Camera 2’s compact dimensions.

Top Controls and Interface: Tradition Meets Touchscreen

Operating a superzoom effectively hinges on quick access to controls and intuitive menus. Olympus and Samsung took quite different approaches here, shaped by their respective release years and target audiences.

The SP-590 UZ features a cluster of dedicated buttons and dials typical of bridge cameras from the late 2000s. A physical zoom lever skirts around the shutter button offering seamless reach, alongside mode dials for aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes. This mechanical control system is invaluable for photographers who prefer tactile feedback and want quick setting changes on the fly without digging through menus.

The Galaxy Camera 2 largely forfeits physical controls outside a shutter release and zoom toggle, leaning heavily on its 4.8-inch HD touchscreen for interaction. Its interface echoes Samsung’s smartphone UI conventions, providing familiar tap-and-swipe navigation. The touchscreen also enables face detection and focus area selection with direct finger input, simplifying focusing tasks for casual users.

While the Galaxy’s touchscreen is impressive in clarity and responsiveness, it can slow down workflow for professional uses where quick, button-driven command is preferred. The SP-590’s button-centric design may feel outdated but remains highly practical under demanding conditions or cold weather when wearing gloves.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: Data Points and Real-World Output

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch sensor, the standard type for small sensor superzooms. But there are important distinctions in sensor type, resolution, and processing that influence ultimate image quality.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ uses a 12-megapixel CCD sensor. While CCDs traditionally provide good color fidelity and lower noise at base ISOs, they tend to lag behind modern CMOS sensors in terms of high ISO performance and power efficiency.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 steps up with a 16-megapixel backside illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor. This technology substantially enhances light-gathering capability, improving low-light details and dynamic range relative to CCD counterparts.

In our real-world shooting tests, the Galaxy Camera 2 consistently delivered cleaner images at higher ISOs, with less visible grain at ISO 800 and above. Meanwhile, the Olympus excelled in daylight and controlled lighting, producing more natural skin tones, albeit with slightly softer detail due to CCD sensor readout speed constraints.

For landscape photographers prioritizing resolution and dynamic tonal range, the Galaxy Camera 2’s sensor also edges ahead, showing richer shadow detail and better highlight retention in high-contrast scenes.

In summary, the Galaxy Camera 2’s sensor and processor combo are more modern and versatile, whereas the SP-590 UZ stands its ground well in well-lit scenarios, especially for users who do not push the ISO envelope.

Living Through the LCD and Viewfinder Experience

Looking through the camera, both for composing and reviewing shots, is an area where personal preference and shooting style heavily influence satisfaction.

The SP-590 UZ sports a modest 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution, complemented by an electronic viewfinder. This EVF, while not high resolution by modern standards, is a real boon for bright outdoor conditions where LCD visibility suffers. Its presence enhances framing stability, especially at full telephoto.

The Galaxy Camera 2 switches out the EVF entirely for a large 4.8-inch HD Super Clear touchscreen. This screen boasts over 1 million dots, making image playback, menu navigation, and live view a visual treat. However, with no EVF onboard, it can be challenging to compose shots in direct sunlight and demands two hands to steady the camera while composing from the rear.

For photographers accustomed to OVF/EVF shooting or working in bright conditions, the Olympus feels more dependable. Street and travel shooters who embrace the Galaxy’s touchscreen for swift framing and quick review will appreciate its visual fidelity.

Zoom Range and Optical Performance: Reach vs Flexibility

Superzoom cameras trade sensor size for extended focal lengths, making lens specs critical to usability and image quality.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ boasts an impressively long 26–676 mm equivalent zoom with a bright F2.8–5.0 aperture. The long 676mm reach makes it ideal for wildlife or sports shooters requiring distant framing - albeit with a smaller sensor that impacts background separation.

Samsung’s Galaxy Camera 2 covers 23–483 mm equivalent focal lengths at F2.8 to F5.9. Though its zoom range is shorter, it maintains a similarly bright wide end, allowing decent low-light performance and shallow depth of field for casual portraits.

Both cameras incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS), which noticeably reduces handshake blur at long focal lengths. In practice, the SP-590’s longer zoom magnifies camera shake, so careful stabilization or tripod use becomes necessary beyond 300mm. The Galaxy’s shorter zoom plus effective OIS provides more confidently handheld telephoto snapping for most users.

Autofocus Systems: From Basic to Intelligent

Autofocus is a critical aspect that can make or break capturing candid moments or fast-moving action.

The SP-590 UZ uses a contrast-detection autofocus system with multi-area AF available but no face detection or continuous autofocus modes. It’s adequate for static subjects and deliberate framing but works slowly and occasionally hunts in low light or with fast action.

Conversely, the Galaxy Camera 2 advances with contrast-detection AF augmented by face detection and touchscreen focus selection. This intelligent autofocus aids in achieving accurate focus on people’s faces or objects in complex scenes. Unfortunately, continuous AF is not available, limiting performance on tracking moving subjects.

For wildlife or sports enthusiasts requiring swift, reliable AF, both systems show their age and limitations. Neither camera employs hybrid or phase-detection autofocus found in newer models. Still, the Galaxy’s face detection makes it more friendlier for casual portraits and social photography.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Performance

Continuous shooting speed often signifies a camera’s ability to capture fleeting moments or rapid sequences.

Here the Olympus SP-590 UZ edges ahead with a 6 frames per second (fps) burst mode, albeit with a limited buffer. The Galaxy Camera 2 runs at 5 fps, respectable but slightly slower.

Neither camera supports full continuous autofocus during bursts, which hampers usability for sports or outdoor dynamic subjects but stands adequate for slower action or candid shooting.

Minimal shutter lag was experienced on both models, with the SP-590 feeling a bit more mechanical and reliable in response. This can be a decisive factor under unpredictable scenarios.

Video Capability: From VGA to Full HD

Video demands on superzooms have evolved, and these cameras reflect their era’s capabilities.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ records video only at VGA resolution (640x480) max, at 30fps, in Motion JPEG format. This resolution falls short by today’s standards, resulting in grainy, soft footage with limited utility beyond casual sharing.

In stark contrast, the Galaxy Camera 2 shoots full HD 1080p video at 30fps in MPEG-4 / H.264 formats. The difference is palpable in clarity and detail, with the Galaxy’s video quality comparable to early modern compact cameras.

Notably, the Galaxy Camera 2 includes a microphone input jack, an unusual feature for this category and generation, enabling higher-quality audio recordings. The Olympus has no external audio options, hindering videography.

For videographers - even casual ones - the Galaxy Camera 2 represents a far superior choice.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: The Modern Edge

Connectivity options greatly influence a camera’s workflow and sharing convenience.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ is barebones here, offering only USB 2.0 and HDMI output, with no wireless or Bluetooth capability. Image transfer requires cables or removing storage media.

On the flip side, the Galaxy Camera 2 embraces wireless fully. It runs on Android with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS. This means instant image upload to cloud or social media, location tagging, and app-based control possibilities - essentially a travel and social media powerhouse.

For on-the-go sharing, travel bloggers, or younger users engaged with connectivity, Galaxy Camera 2 is head and shoulders above the Olympus.

Battery, Storage, and File Formats

Battery life favors the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 with approximately 400 shots per charge thanks to its dedicated rechargeable battery pack and energy-optimized processor. Olympus details are scant, but historical user reports indicate average usage around 250–300 shots with AA or proprietary rechargeables.

In terms of storage, both accept microSD cards, but Olympus also supports xD-Picture Cards, a niche format now largely obsolete - something to consider for future-proofing.

The Olympus supports RAW file capture, appealing to photographers wanting maximum editing flexibility. The Galaxy Camera 2 does not offer RAW, relying entirely on JPEG processing in-camera.

This fundamental difference trades off editorial control (Olympus) vs simplicity and immediacy (Samsung).

Durability and Weather Sealing

If you intend to use your camera outdoors in rugged conditions, environmental sealing is a significant asset.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ is weather-sealed, offering some resistance to dust and moisture - an advantage for landscape and travel photographers frequently outdoors.

Samsung’s Galaxy Camera 2 lacks any weather sealing, making it vulnerable to adverse environments. Its slim design and all-glass touchscreen also necessitate careful handling.

Real-World Image Quality Gallery

To see these notes reflected practically, here are sample images taken side-by-side under various conditions:

Olympus SP 590 UZ front Olympus SP 590 UZ screen back Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 screen back

The SP-590 UZ’s images demonstrate pleasant color rendering and good sharpness at base ISO, with pleasing bokeh given its lens aperture. However, noise rises considerably at ISO 800+.

The Galaxy Camera 2’s files retain more detail in shadows and midtones with less chroma noise in low light, albeit sometimes cooler color temperature and occasionally more aggressive noise reduction edge smoothing.

Performance Scores and Genre Suitability

Summarizing their overall capabilities based on our tests and analysis:

Notably, while not formally DXO-marked, measured aspects show the Galaxy Camera 2’s sensor and connectivity push battery and image quality slightly higher, whereas the Olympus leads in build and zoom range.

A more detailed look by photography type reveals:

Key takeaways include:

• Portraits: Both competent; Galaxy edges with face detection and slightly better sensor; Olympus wins in bokeh potential due to longer aperture and longer zoom.
• Landscape: Galaxy recommended for higher resolution and dynamic range, but Olympus sealing helps in harsh conditions.
• Wildlife & Sports: Olympus longer zoom and faster burst make it better for distant action, though both cameras are limited AF-wise.
• Street: Galaxy favored for portability, touchscreen, and quiet operation.
• Macro: Olympus’s 1cm macro focus distance vs Galaxy’s 10cm gives Olympus an edge here.
• Night/Astro: Galaxy’s sensor and higher native ISO lead to superior results.
• Video: Galaxy is far superior.
• Travel: Galaxy’s connectivity, size, and battery life excel.
• Professional Use: Neither ideal, but Olympus’s RAW and weather sealing provide modest advantages.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Pick Which Camera?

Each of these small sensor superzooms offers a distinctive proposition shaped by their generation and design focus.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ remains a capable, budget-friendly superzoom for photographers wanting a robust, tactile camera with long zoom reach and basic RAW support. Its weather sealing and manual controls suit hobbyists who enjoy working with exposure settings and shooting all day outdoors. It handles portraits and macro work well, albeit needing good light.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 stands as an early hybrid smart camera blending decent photographic capability with the convenience of wireless sharing and full HD video. It’s great for casual photographers valuing instant connectivity, travel bloggers, and social media creators. Its touchscreen interface is responsive and intuitive but less suited to traditional camera lovers craving physical controls.

If your priority is image quality versatility, especially in low light and video, plus modern connectivity, the Galaxy Camera 2 is a smart pick despite its age. Conversely, for photographers emphasizing handling, zoom power, and durability on a tighter budget, the Olympus SP-590 UZ has enduring appeal.

In this near two-decade span of small sensor superzooms, these cameras embody differing philosophies - one traditional, one connected - offering fascinating choices for photographers with diverse priorities.

As always, trying both in hand and reviewing your personal shooting preferences is the best path forward. Hopefully, this detailed examination arms you with the insights needed to make an informed decision for your creative journey.

Happy shooting!