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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX20V

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Later Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX10V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX30V
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX20V Overview

Here, we are comparing the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was manufactured 4 years earlier than the HX20V and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SP-590 UZ grades versus the HX20V for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Sony HX20V

 SP-590 UZ HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 HX20V SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedJuly 2012January 2009More recent by 43 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony HX20V

 SP-590 UZ HX20V 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-590 UZ has physical dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony HX20V in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SP-590 UZ compared to the HX20V.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-590 UZ and HX20V is 72 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to imagine the difference between sensor measurements simply by reviewing technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-590 UZ and HX20V.

As you can tell, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can anticipate the Sony HX20V to offer more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography advice
Sony HX20V Portrait photography advice
36
has manual focus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
45
has manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
features face detect focusing
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography details
Sony HX20V Street photography details
59
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (254g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography highlights
Sony HX20V Sports photography highlights
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography details
Sony HX20V Travel photography details
58
weather proof
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competitors (254 grams)
resolution is good (18MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography info
Sony HX20V Landscape photography info
45
has manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
50
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging details
Sony HX20V Vlogging details
24
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external mic port
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (254 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no microphone jack
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony HX20V
 Olympus SP-590 UZSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SP-590 UZ Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-01-07 2012-07-20
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
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, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 413 gr (0.91 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 life - 320 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $249 $397