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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550 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
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A100
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Sony A550, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the A550 (14MP) is relatively similar but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The SP-590 UZ was announced 11 months before the A550 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick view of how the SP-590 UZ grades versus the A550 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Sony A550

 SP-590 UZ A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 A550 SP-590 UZ 
RevealedDecember 2009January 2009Newer by 11 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony A550

 SP-590 UZ A550 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has got outer dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Sony A550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the A550.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and A550 is 72 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specs. The picture underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and A550.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SP-590 UZ using its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh trickier and the Sony A550 will deliver extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged SP-590 UZ is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography features
Sony A550 Portrait photography features
36
you can focus manually
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography highlights
Sony A550 Street photography highlights
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
74
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography info
Sony A550 Sports photography info
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
terrible battery power (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
58
environment proof
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (480 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
45
you can focus manually
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
66
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
terrible battery power (480 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging advice
Sony A550 Vlogging advice
24
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone support
9
lack of video recording
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony A550
 Olympus SP-590 UZSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-01-07 2009-12-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 64 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.00 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 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) -
Max video resolution 640x480 None
Video 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 gr (0.91 pounds) 632 gr (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 807
Other
Battery life - 480 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
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/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $249 $749