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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX1

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX1 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
  • Announced January 2009
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Announced April 2009
Photography Glossary

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX1 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony HX1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") possess different sensor sizing.

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The SP-590 UZ was manufactured 3 months before the HX1 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SP-590 UZ scores vs the HX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Sony HX1

 SP-590 UZ HX1 

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 HX1 SP-590 UZ 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony HX1

 SP-590 UZ HX1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2009April 2009Same generation
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-590 UZ comes with 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) and the Sony HX1 has proportions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") and a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony HX1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the HX1.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and HX1 is 72 and 67 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through technical specs. The visual here will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-590 UZ and HX1.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SP-590 UZ featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus SP-590 UZ will show extra detail due to its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Portrait photography camera
36
focusing manually
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
27
focusing manually
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography factors
Sony HX1 Street photography factors
59
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
50
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competition (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography details
Sony HX1 Sports photography details
38
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
36
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count low (9MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography features
Sony HX1 Travel photography features
58
weather sealing
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
48
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (544 grams)
megapixel count low (9MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography advice
Sony HX1 Landscape photography advice
45
focusing manually
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
39
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging details
Sony HX1 Vlogging details
24
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
22
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1440 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than competition (544g)
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony HX1
 Olympus SP-590 UZSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-01-07 2009-04-22
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 9 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 64 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 9.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1440x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
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) 544 grams (1.20 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $249 $47,999