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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A230

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Olympus SP-590 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 413g - 116 x 84 x 81mm
  • Launched January 2009
  • Later Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Earlier Model is Sony A200
  • Replacement is Sony A290
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A230 Overview

Below is a in depth assessment of the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony A230, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is fairly close but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The SP-590 UZ was revealed 4 months prior to the A230 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the SP-590 UZ scores vs the A230 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Sony A230

 SP-590 UZ A230 

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 A230 SP-590 UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony A230

 SP-590 UZ A230 
LaunchedJanuary 2009May 2009Same generation
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display measurement
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-590 UZ comes with exterior measurements 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 Sony A230 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony A230 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the A230.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and A230 is 72 and 69 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements purely by viewing specs. The visual below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-590 UZ and A230.

All in all, both of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SP-590 UZ using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Olympus SP-590 UZ will result in greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images more aggressively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Portrait photography with Sony A230
37
focusing manually
exports RAW files
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
54
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography highlights
Sony A230 Sports photography highlights
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
low fps (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Sony A230 as a Travel photography camera
58
weather proofing
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
45
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
low megapixels (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography info
Sony A230 Landscape photography info
46
focusing manually
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
51
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview
low megapixels (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
24
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone port
9
no video recording
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony A230
 Olympus SP-590 UZSony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-01-07 2009-05-18
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.00 m 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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) 490 gr (1.08 lb)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $249 $569