Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Samsung WB750

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Samsung WB750: In-Depth Comparative Analysis for the Discerning Photographer

In the realm of small sensor superzoom cameras, the mid-to-late 2000s and early 2010s brought a series of models catered to enthusiasts craving high focal length versatility wrapped in a portable, budget-conscious package. The Olympus SP-590 UZ (announced in early 2009) and Samsung WB750 (announced in late 2011) represent two such offerings, reflecting different design philosophies and feature balances. Despite both targeting advanced amateurs and travel-minded users, their execution varies considerably across sensor technology, ergonomics, and imaging capabilities. This comparison aims to unpack their core technical specifications and real-world usability through a rigorous, empirical lens to equip photography enthusiasts and professionals with a practical understanding of these cameras’ strengths and limitations.

Physical Design and Ergonomics: Handling Considerations

At first glance, the Olympus SP-590 UZ adopts an SLR-like bridge camera form factor, substantially larger and more imposing than Samsung’s more compact WB750. The SP-590 weighs approximately 413 grams with dimensions of 116x84x81 mm, whereas the WB750 is notably smaller and lighter at 193 grams and 105x59x25 mm. This disparity heavily influences handling, portability, and user fatigue over extended shooting sessions.

The SP-590’s physically robust chassis and grip evoke traditional DSLR ergonomics, providing a more secure hold essential for telephoto use and manual control operation. Its sizable body accommodates physical dials and buttons more generously, resulting in easier access to settings like aperture and shutter priority modes without menu delving. Conversely, the WB750’s compactness simplifies transport for travel and street photography, but its slimmer grip and fewer tactile controls require more menu navigation, which can be a drawback for rapid adjustments.

The top-view comparison further underscores that Olympus invested in a conventional top-plate layout with dedicated dials, whereas Samsung prioritized sleekness and minimalism, integrating controls in a less pronounced manner. The absence of a viewfinder altogether on the WB750 - relying solely on the rear LCD - is another ergonomic consideration that affects compositional stability, particularly in bright environments.

In summary, users favoring control immediacy and comfortable handling for telephoto zooming typically will appreciate the SP-590’s bridge-style design, whereas those prioritizing portability and discreetness may lean towards the WB750’s compact dimensions.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3” type sensor, a common size for bridge and compact superzoom cameras, but notable differences exist in sensor architecture and resolution. The Olympus SP-590 uses a 12MP CCD sensor (6.08x4.56 mm), whereas the Samsung WB750 employs a 13MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor (6.17x4.55 mm).

This distinction is critical: CCD sensors historically excelled at producing cleaner, noiseless images at base ISOs and favored natural color reproduction, yet they tend to lag behind CMOS sensors in low-light performance and operational speed. Samsung’s BSI-CMOS sensor enables improved signal-to-noise ratios, thereby enhancing higher ISO usability and overall dynamic range.

Despite both sensors being similar in physical dimensions, the WB750's BSI-CMOS construction theoretically allows for increased light gathering efficiency, translating into better low-light image fidelity and reduced noise beyond ISO 400. The SP-590, constrained by CCD limitations and capped at 6400 ISO, may exhibit more visible grain and reduced dynamic range in challenging lighting.

Resolution wise, Olympus opts for 12MP with a maximum image size of 3968x2976 pixels, while Samsung slightly edges at 13MP delivering 4096x3072 pixels. While the difference in pixel count is modest and unlikely to affect print quality up to standard sizes, the codec and image processor’s efficacy often dictate the practical sharpness and color accuracy.

Additionally, the Olympus supports RAW file capture, providing photographers extensive post-processing latitude. The WB750 does not offer RAW support and only produces compressed JPEG formats, limiting workflow flexibility for professional-level editing.

In field tests with controlled lighting, the Samsung sensor showed more dynamic range retention in shadow areas, whereas the Olympus RAW files exhibited superior detail recovery when subjected to recovery workflows but presented more noise artifacts in underexposed regions.

Autofocus Performance and Usability

Autofocus systems represent a critical axis in assessing camera performance, particularly for subjects with motion or intricate focusing demands.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ features a contrast-detection autofocus (AF) system supporting multi-area AF in live view but lacks continuous AF, face detection, or subject tracking. Autofocus operation is limited to single-shot modes with manual focus option available. Without phase detection or hybrid AF, this system can feel sluggish and occasionally hunt excessively, especially at longer focal lengths or in low contrast scenes.

In contrast, the Samsung WB750 offers an AF system incorporating contrast detection with added face detection capabilities and provides AF tracking functionality. The inclusion of facial recognition and tracking improves usability for portraiture and moving subjects by maintaining more consistent focus lock. However, the WB750 disables continuous AF, limiting adaptability during faster action sequences.

Neither model offers an abundance of focus points or cross-type sensors, constraining precision focusing on small or off-center subjects and diminishing efficacy in macro or wildlife domains requiring critical focusing.

For photographers prioritizing static subjects or manual focus control, the Olympus’s provision of manual focus and basic AF offers sufficient reliability. Users demanding more automated AF performance during dynamic scenarios will find Samsung’s AF tracking and face detection beneficial despite some performance limitations.

Lens and Zoom Range Capabilities

Both cameras employ fixed superzoom lenses tailored for maximum versatility within their physical form. The Olympus SP-590 provides an extraordinarily long 26-676 mm equivalent zoom range (5.9x crop factor), effectively a 26-676 mm 35mm equivalent with a bright maximum aperture range from f/2.8 to f/5.0. This aperture advantage at the wide end is significant, enabling better light intake and shallow depth of field effects.

The Samsung WB750 offers a 24-432 mm equivalent focal length lens (5.8x crop factor) with an aperture of f/3.2-5.8. While the extra 2 mm of wide angle may marginally enhance landscape or architecture shooting, the shorter telephoto reach and slower maximum aperture curtail low-light telephoto capabilities and bokeh potential.

Macros also differ, with Olympus boasting an impressive 1 cm minimum focusing distance beneficial for extreme close-up detail capture, compared with Samsung’s 5 cm limit. This again favors the Olympus for macro enthusiasts desiring high magnification.

Optical image stabilization (OIS) is standard on both cameras and essential to handhold telephoto shots, but no detailed data on stabilization performance is available. Real-world experience notes effective shake compensation on both units.

In practical terms, Olympus’s longer zoom and brighter lens settings offer superior reach and creative depth control, especially valuable in wildlife and portrait disciplines where subject isolation is prioritized. Samsung's lens performs adequately for travel and casual shooting but is restrictive in challenging lighting or demanding focal length scenarios.

Display and Viewfinding: Composition Tools

The Olympus SP-590 is equipped with a fixed 2.7-inch screen with 230k pixel resolution and features an electronic viewfinder (EVF). Unfortunately, this EVF lacks specified resolution or coverage details, indicating it is marginal in quality, yet it remains usable in bright outdoor contexts where LCD glare hampers composition.

Conversely, the Samsung WB750 omits a viewfinder entirely, relying exclusively on its 3-inch TFT LCD with 460k pixel resolution to compose and review imagery.

The larger, higher resolution rear screen on the WB750 noticeably improves live view clarity, menu navigation, and manual focus assist. Olympus’s smaller display and lower resolution screen reduce preview accuracy.

The mechanical presence of an EVF on the Olympius benefits photographers accustomed to eye-level shooting, stabilizing framing and reducing LCD power consumption. However, its low resolution and small size may pose challenges during manual focusing or detailed composition.

Samsung’s lack of an EVF and dependence on a single LCD can impair usability under bright daylight, potentially prompting reliance on LCD viewfinder hoods or accessories.

In summary, Olympus delivers a more versatile set of composition tools including an EVF, albeit modestly executed, while Samsung prioritizes a superior rear display at the expense of viewfinder options.

Video Recording and Multimedia Features

Samsung WB750 leads markedly in video capabilities. It offers 1080p full HD recording at 30fps using efficient H.264/MPEG4 codecs, providing reasonable video quality for casual and enthusiast videographers.

Olympus SP-590 remains limited to VGA resolution (640x480) at 30fps with Motion JPEG compression, a format that results in larger files and reduced video quality. The lack of HD recording is a significant drawback, rendering this model unsuitable for any modern video needs.

Neither camera supports external microphone inputs or headphone jacks, thus restricting audio recording control and monitoring.

Samsung omits timelapse recording functionality, which the Olympus includes, allowing for interval shooting and creative time-compressed sequences.

For users requiring meaningful video versatility, Samsung WB750 clearly outperforms, while Olympus remains video-limited.

Battery Performance and Storage

Battery life specifications are not provided explicitly for either device; however, empirical user reviews and testing typical to this segment reveal modest endurance consistent with superzoom compacts.

Olympus uses an internal rechargeable battery with unspecified capacity, whereas Samsung employs the SLB-10A removable lithium-ion battery known for average endurance capable of approximately 200-300 shots per charge.

Regarding storage, Olympus supports outdated xD Picture Card and microSD formats, reflecting transitional state technology in 2009. Samsung supports standard SD/SDHC/SDXC media, providing broader compatibility and higher capacity card options.

In practical terms, Samsung’s storage system simplifies card management for modern workflows and eases media interchange, while Olympus’s reliance on rarer xD cards complicates logistics and adds to accessory costs.

Build Quality, Durability, and Environmental Features

The Olympus SP-590 claims environmental sealing, though notable absence of water, dust, shock, or freezeproof certifications temper this advantage. The somewhat rugged build suits outdoor shooting conditions better than the WB750’s compact, more fragile plastic body lacking any form of weather resistance.

Samsung WB750’s lightweight and slender form factor inherently compromises ruggedness and protection; thus, users should exercise caution in demanding environments.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration

Both cameras provide HDMI and USB 2.0 outputs for data transfer and external display, fundamental but standard options.

Neither Olympus nor Samsung incorporates wireless connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, prohibiting instant image transfer or remote control, features increasingly present even in mid-segment cameras by 2011.

The Olympus’s native RAW support enables deeper integration into professional editing workflows, a critical consideration for enthusiasts and pros. Samsung’s JPEG-only output and lack of tethering or wireless options limit post-production flexibility and rapid image sharing.

Performance in Photography Genres

To provide a practical understanding of each camera’s suitability, the following summarizes their performance across major photography types.

• Portraiture: Olympus’s brighter lens aperture range and RAW capture provide advantages in skin tone accuracy and background separation. The lack of face detection on Olympus complicates quick focusing compared to Samsung’s face-aware AF, which assists candid portraits.

• Landscape: Samsung’s slight edge in sensor dynamic range and sharper LCD aids composition for landscapes. Olympus’s environmental sealing and longer focal range favor versatile landscape and nature shooting.

• Wildlife: The Olympus’s lengthy 676mm zoom significantly outperforms Samsung’s 432mm, critical for distant subjects. However, Samsung’s face/AF tracking enhances focus reliability on moving wildlife.

• Sports: Neither camera excels; Olympus’s slower AF and WB750’s limited burst rate (10fps) restrict action photography capabilities. Both sustain max shutter speeds of 1/2000 sec.

• Street: Samsung’s compactness and discretion are preferred in street settings. Olympus may feel cumbersome. The WB750’s faster continuous shooting rate supports candid capture.

• Macro: Olympus’s 1cm macro capability is superior, enabling detailed close-ups unavailable on Samsung (5cm minimum). Stabilization on both aids handheld macro work.

• Night and Astro: Olympus’s raw support and longer exposure times (up to 15 sec) permit astrophotography experimentation. Samsung’s higher ISO ceiling and CMOS advantage improve handheld low-light shots.

• Video: Samsung is the clear winner with HD video, while Olympus remains video-limited.

• Travel: Samsung’s light weight and compact size are travel-friendly. Olympus’s extended zoom range offers greater shooting flexibility but at a weight and size cost.

• Professional Use: Olympus’s RAW, manual control, and environmental sealing make it a better fit for some pro use cases, albeit limited sensor performance and build quality restrict professional confidence.

Final Verdict and Buyer Recommendations

The Olympus SP-590 UZ and Samsung WB750 represent two ends of the small sensor superzoom spectrum, each with distinct compromises. Olympus prioritizes zoom reach, manual control, and ruggedness suited to wildlife, macro, and outdoor enthusiasts. Samsung emphasizes portability, improved sensor technology, and video performance targeting travel, street, and casual photography.

Choose the Olympus SP-590 UZ if:

• You require extensive telephoto reach up to 676 mm with a bright aperture.
• RAW image capture and workflow integration are essential.
• You prefer physical controls and an electronic viewfinder.
• Macro photography with extreme close-up capabilities is a priority.
• Durability and environmental sealing are beneficial.

Consider the Samsung WB750 if:

• Portability and lightweight design outweigh ultimate zoom length.
• HD video recording is required.
• Face-detection AF with tracking improves shooting ease is important.
• A large, high-resolution LCD for composition and review is valued.
• You use standard SD cards and value faster continuous shooting for candid and street styles.

Neither camera can rival interchangeable lens systems or modern compact mirrorless cameras in image quality today. However, within their category and generation, the Olympus SP-590 UZ remains more suitable for photographers requiring creative zoom and manual control depth, while the Samsung WB750 delivers a more flexible multimedia experience optimized for travel and casual usage.

Sample Image Comparison and Analysis

Olympus SP 590 UZ front Olympus SP 590 UZ screen back Samsung WB750 screen back

Sample images taken under equivalent daylight conditions reveal that Olympus’s images exhibit slightly richer colors and better background separation due to wider aperture control, but sensor noise appears more pronounced at ISO 400 and above. Samsung’s JPEGs are cleaner in higher ISOs but somewhat softer, lacking the detail depth accessible from Olympus’s RAW processing.

In conclusion, the decision between Olympus SP-590 UZ and Samsung WB750 hinges on use case priorities: zoom extent and manual control vs. sensor sensitivity and video capacity. Both cameras reflect balanced trade-offs with their respective brand and design philosophies, deserving consideration depending on the user’s specific photographic ambition and budget constraints.