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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A390

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A390 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
  • Renewed by Olympus SP-600 UZ
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A380
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A390 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A390, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the A390 (14MP) is fairly close but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) provide different sensor measurements.

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The SP-590 UZ was introduced 18 months earlier than the A390 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SP-590 UZ matches up vs the A390 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Sony A390

 SP-590 UZ A390 

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 A390 SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedJuly 2010January 2009Fresher by 18 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony A390

 SP-590 UZ A390 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurements
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-590 UZ enjoys exterior measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Sony A390 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A390 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SP-590 UZ against the A390.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A390 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and A390 is 72 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The visual below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-590 UZ and A390.

Clearly, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SP-590 UZ having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony A390 will render greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography factors
Sony A390 Portrait photography factors
37
has manual focus
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
72
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Street photography camera
Sony A390 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
76
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography factors
Sony A390 Sports photography factors
38
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
low battery power (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Sony A390 as a Travel photography camera
58
weather proofing
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
53
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery power (230 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography highlights
Sony A390 Landscape photography highlights
46
has manual focus
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low battery power (230 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Vlogging with Sony A390
24
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
9
no video shooting
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony A390
 Olympus SP-590 UZSony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-01-07 2010-07-28
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 grams (0.91 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 607
Other
Battery life - 230 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $249 $500