Clicky

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony G3

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony G3 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
  • Released January 2009
  • New Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony G3 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony G3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the G3 (10MP) is very close and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The SP-590 UZ was revealed within a month of the G3 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a short summary of how the SP-590 UZ matches up against the G3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Sony G3

 SP-590 UZ G3 

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 G3 SP-590 UZ 
Display dimensions3.5"2.7"Larger display (+0.8")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony G3

 SP-590 UZ G3 
ReleasedJanuary 2009January 2009Same age
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ features outside measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Sony G3 has measurements of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony G3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SP-590 UZ versus the G3.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony G3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-590 UZ and G3 is 72 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by researching specs. The pic below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-590 UZ and G3.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Olympus SP-590 UZ to render extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos more aggressively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Sony G3 as a Portrait photography camera
36
you can focus manually
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
26
has manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Street photography camera
Sony G3 as a Street photography camera
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography highlights
Sony G3 Sports photography highlights
38
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
slow frames per second (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000s)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Travel photography with Sony G3
58
weather proofing
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
50
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography details
Sony G3 Landscape photography details
45
you can focus manually
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
36
has manual focus
bigger than average screen (3.5 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging features
Sony G3 Vlogging features
24
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
27
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic jack
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony G3
 Olympus SP-590 UZSony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-01-07 2009-01-08
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3.5 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 1 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.00 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 gr (0.91 pounds) 185 gr (0.41 pounds)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $249 $200