Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A380
72 Imaging
34 Features
38 Overall
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68 Imaging
53 Features
54 Overall
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A380 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed January 2009
- Updated by Olympus SP-600 UZ
(Full Review)

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A380 Overview
Here is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A380, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the A380 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

The SP-590 UZ was revealed 7 months prior to the A380 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SP-590 UZ grades against the A380 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A380 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony Alpha DSLR-A380. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SP-590 UZ Gallery and Sony A380 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Sony A380
SP-590 UZ | A380 |
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Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ
A380 | SP-590 UZ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2009 | ![]() | January 2009 | Fresher by 7 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony A380
SP-590 UZ | A380 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equivalent display sizing |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-590 UZ offers external dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Sony A380 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A380 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the SP-590 UZ against the A380.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and A380 is 72 and 68 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing merely by looking at specs. The photograph here should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and A380.
All in all, the two cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SP-590 UZ using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony A380 will give you more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A380 Specifications
Olympus SP-590 UZ | Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus SP-590 UZ | Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2009-01-07 | 2009-08-24 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3968 x 2976 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 26-676mm (26.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.0 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 8.00 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
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) | - |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | None |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 413 grams (0.91 pounds) | 519 grams (1.14 pounds) |
Dimensions | 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") | 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 67 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.8 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 614 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 500 photographs |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (12 or 2 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $249 | $899 |