Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550
72 Imaging
34 Features
38 Overall
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63 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57
Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550 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
- Released January 2009
- Newer Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
(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

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.

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.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The whole galleries are available at Olympus SP-590 UZ Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Sony A550
SP-590 UZ | A550 |
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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ
A550 | SP-590 UZ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | December 2009 | ![]() | January 2009 | Newer by 11 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A550 Specifications
Olympus SP-590 UZ | Sony 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 |