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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony H20

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony H20 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
  • Introduced January 2009
  • New Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Announced May 2009
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony H20 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Sony H20, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the H20 (10MP) is pretty similar and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was launched 4 months before the H20 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony H20 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SP-590 UZ grades against the H20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Sony H20

 SP-590 UZ H20 

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 H20 SP-590 UZ 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony H20

 SP-590 UZ H20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2009May 2009Similar generation
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-590 UZ comes with physical measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Sony H20 has dimensions of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Sony H20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SP-590 UZ and the H20.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony H20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-590 UZ and H20 is 72 and 87 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing technical specs. The pic here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-590 UZ and H20.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Olympus SP-590 UZ to deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography information
Sony H20 Portrait photography information
36
focusing manually
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
27
focusing manually
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Street photography camera
Sony H20 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
more heavy than others (250 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Sports photography with Sony H20
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
26
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Travel photography with Sony H20
58
environment proofing
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
great zoom (380mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than others (250 grams)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography details
Sony H20 Landscape photography details
45
focusing manually
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
36
focusing manually
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging info
Sony H20 Vlogging info
24
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic port
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than others (250 grams)
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony H20
 Olympus SP-590 UZSony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-01-07 2009-05-14
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 38-380mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.5-4.4
Macro focus range 1cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.00 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 413g (0.91 lb) 250g (0.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $249 $249