Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony HX5

Lets take a deeper look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Sony HX5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SP-590 UZ (12MP) and the HX5 (10MP) is fairly comparable but the SP-590 UZ (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") boast different sensor size.

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The SP-590 UZ was brought out 17 months before the HX5 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX5 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SP-590 UZ grades against the HX5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SP-590 UZ and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The entire galleries are available at Olympus SP-590 UZ Gallery and Sony HX5 Gallery.

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-590 UZ enjoys physical measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Sony HX5 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-590 UZ versus Sony HX5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SP-590 UZ vs the HX5.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-590 UZ and HX5 is 72 and 92 respectively.

Often, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through specs. The visual underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-590 UZ and HX5.

All in all, both the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SP-590 UZ featuring a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Olympus SP-590 UZ will provide extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The older SP-590 UZ will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.