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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX300

Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX300 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
  • Released January 2009
  • Successor is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Released February 2013
  • Replaced the Sony HX200V
  • Replacement is Sony HX400V
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX300 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony HX300, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and HX300 (20MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SP-590 UZ was launched 5 years before the HX300 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SP-590 UZ matches up against the HX300 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Sony HX300

 SP-590 UZ HX300 

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 HX300 SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedFebruary 2013January 2009Fresher by 50 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony HX300

 SP-590 UZ HX300 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SP-590 UZ comes with outside measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Sony HX300 has specifications of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony HX300 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SP-590 UZ and the HX300.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-590 UZ and HX300 is 72 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by viewing specifications. The photograph below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-590 UZ and HX300.

Plainly, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Sony HX300 to provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography info
Sony HX300 Portrait photography info
36
manual focus
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
42
has manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography highlights
Sony HX300 Street photography highlights
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competition (623 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography highlights
Sony HX300 Sports photography highlights
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
55
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Travel photography camera
58
weather sealing
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
MP count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
54
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (1200mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (623g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Landscape photography with Sony HX300
45
manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
48
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-590 UZ
Vlogging with Sony HX300
24
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
25
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of mic port
heavier than competition (623 grams)
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Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony HX300
 Olympus SP-590 UZSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SP-590 UZ Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-01-07 2013-02-20
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 lbs) 623 grams (1.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal -
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $249 $339