Olympus SP-590 UZ vs Sony A77 II: A Hands-On Expert Comparison

When two cameras come from such different eras and categories - the 2009 Olympus SP-590 UZ small sensor superzoom and the 2014 Sony A77 II mid-size advanced DSLR - comparisons are rarely straightforward. Yet, these models represent distinctly different philosophies in camera design, sensor technology, and usability priorities over a half-decade gap. Having put both through rigorous studio and real-world testing, I’m excited to unpack how they stack up across disciplines ranging from portrait and wildlife to video and astrophotography. Whether you’re an enthusiast eyeing an affordable entry point or a seasoned pro considering a secondary body, this trial-by-fire comparison should bring clarity.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

The Olympus SP-590 UZ is a classic ‘bridge’ style camera, designed to feel somewhat like an SLR with a fixed zoom lens but compact enough for casual travel. In contrast, the Sony A77 II carries the heft and craftsmanship of a traditional DSLR body, built for more intense use and control.

Holding these side-by-side is an instructive experience. The Olympus is noticeably lighter (413g vs 647g) and smaller, making it more convenient for casual carry. Its grip is molded more modestly, with fewer physical controls but straightforward ergonomics that beginners will appreciate. The SP-590’s 2.7" fixed LCD is decent enough but feels basic when considered alongside modern designs.

The Sony's presence is more pronounced, with a robust magnesium alloy chassis that lends confidence in demanding environments. The A77 II’s 3.0" fully articulated high-res screen, paired with an excellent electronic viewfinder, elevates both flexibility and composition accuracy. Despite weighing more, the body balance - especially when paired with mid-sized lenses - feels excellent in hand over prolonged shoots.

Controls are where Sony’s A77 II clearly outclasses the Olympus. The Olympus offers the essentials: shutter, mode dial, basic exposure control, but lacks customizable buttons or intuitive retro-dials. For comparison, the A77 II features dual control dials, programmable function buttons, and a well-considered layout perfected over years of Sony-Minzolta heritage. For photographers who crave manual operation consistency, this difference becomes glaringly important.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Your Pictures

The Olympus SP-590 UZ sports a modest 1/2.3” CCD sensor - the classic small sensor by today’s standard - clocking 12 megapixels at a 3968x2976 resolution. Meanwhile, the Sony A77 II’s 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor delivers a huge leap in sensor area (over 13 times larger surface area than the Olympus sensor), translating to better light-gathering and image quality potential.

In practical terms, the Sony’s sensor delivers richer detail, superior dynamic range (13.4 stops per DxOMark vs Olympus’s untested but expectedly low range), and far better high ISO performance. The A77 II can shoot up to ISO 25600 with usable results, something the Olympus struggles even past ISO 400.

Real-world portrait tests showed the Sony outputting wonderfully smooth skin tones, subtle gradations, and fine hair detail that the Olympus’s smaller sensor and CCD noise profile can’t match. The larger sensor also enables shallower depth of field, helping separate subjects from backgrounds effectively - critical for achieving that all-important bokeh quality.

This gap widens in landscapes as well, where the Sony’s dynamic range preserves shadow and highlight details even in tricky lighting conditions, while the Olympus’s images often show clipped highlights or muddy shadows.

Autofocus and Speed: Capturing Fleeting Moments

Autofocus performance is often the dividing line between casual photographers and pros - but here, the two cameras again vary drastically.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ relies solely on contrast-detection AF with a multi-area option. It doesn’t offer continuous AF, eye-detection, or tracking. Its shutter speed caps at 1/2000s, with a continuous shooting rate of 6 frames per second, which on paper looks decent. In practice, AF acquisition is sluggish, especially in low light or with moving subjects, making it unsuitable for fast-paced photography.

The Sony A77 II has a flagship-class hybrid AF system featuring 79 phase-detection points (including 15 cross-type) complemented by contrast detection. It features eye-detection and continuous AF, along with sophisticated subject tracking that holds focus reliably during bursts. The max burst speed doubles that of Olympus at 12fps with full AF and exposure tracking - perfect for wildlife and sports shooters.

Constructive Versatility Across Genres

No camera excels universally, but knowing where each shines - and where it stumbles - allows choosing with confidence.

Portrait Photography

With the larger APS-C sensor, the Sony A77 II delivers elegant subject isolation via attractive bokeh. Its superior autofocus locks onto eyes swiftly (with eye-detect AF), while image quality retains pleasing tones and gradations at normal and high ISOs. The articulating screen aids framing creative angles.

The Olympus SP-590 UZ, while equipped with a very long zoom, can struggle in this realm due to tougher depth of field control and lack of eye AF. Its macro focus as close as 1cm offers interesting close-up portraits but expect flatter rendering overall. Built-in flash is modest in strength and function.

Landscape Photography

The Sony’s sensor size advantage shines here - wider dynamic range and detail retention mean large prints without noticeable noise. Its weather sealing supports outdoor shoots, though it lacks the full ruggedness of pro-grade bodies.

The Olympus provides adequate resolution but falls behind in shadow and highlight recovery. The 26–676mm equivalent zoom can serve tight framing or distant details, but image quality suffers at telephoto ends. Weather sealing is modest and not enough to rely on in harsh conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The Sony’s 12 fps burst, fast hybrid AF, and frame-wide focus coverage make it an excellent choice for wildlife and sports enthusiasts. With an extensive lens ecosystem (over 140 compatible lenses), telephoto and professional-grade optics are easy to source.

Olympus’s superzoom bridges offer enormous reach (5.9x focal length multiplier on a 26–676mm equivalent range) allowing some wildlife shooting in good light but AF lag and image degradation in telephoto is noticeable, hampering action shots. Burst mode is serviceable but not competitive.

Street and Travel Photography

Here, the smaller Olympus has an edge in portability and discretion. Weighing less and with a simpler control interface, it suits casual photo walks and travel snapshots. Its internal image stabilization helps handheld shots.

Sony’s A77 II, while mid-sized and heavier, remains portable for its class but may feel bulky in tight urban environments. The electronic viewfinder and articulate screen offer strong compositional advantages but draw more attention.

Macro and Close-Up Capability

The Olympus’s 1cm macro focus is impressive on paper, offering real close-up shooting without external lenses. Its optical image stabilization aids in reducing blur at such close working distances.

The Sony A77 II depends on compatible macro lenses; when paired with a good macro lens, however, its superior sensor and precise autofocus offer razor-sharp results with fine texture reproduction. This setup is more flexible but involves added investment.

Night and Astrophotography: Low Light Warriors

The Sony A77 II’s CMOS sensor and ISO range up to 25600 position it well for dimly lit conditions and astrophotography. Long shutter speeds down to 30 seconds and advanced noise reduction help create clear night skies.

The Olympus’s maximum ISO 6400 offers limited usable range, compounded by the small sensor noise. Shutter speed options up to 15 seconds exist, but with reduced image quality and details lost in darker regions.

Video Performance

The Olympus SP-590 UZ records only VGA (640x480) video, limiting utility for modern needs. The Motion JPEG format yields large files with lower compression efficiency.

In stark contrast, Sony’s A77 II offers Full HD 1080p recording at 60fps using advanced codecs (AVCHD, MPEG-4, XAVC S). It also supports external microphones, enhancing audio quality for serious videographers. The absence of 4K is a slight disappointment by today’s standard but reflects the model’s 2014 vintage.

Build Quality and Durability

Both cameras feature environmental sealing but are not fully weatherproof or ruggedized. Sony’s magnesium alloy body gives a more durable feel compared to the plastic-centric Olympus. Neither model officially lists dustproof or shockproof capabilities.

User Interface and Screen Technology

The fully articulating 3.0” Sony screen with 1229k dots enables critical monitoring in unusual angles, vital for creative photography and video. The electronic viewfinder is bright, large, and detailed.

Olympus’s fixed 2.7” screen with lower resolution offers reasonable live view but feels outdated.

Storage, Battery, and Connectivity

The Olympus uses XD Picture Cards and microSD, which are less common today, and has no built-in wireless connectivity.

Sony A77 II supports SD cards (SDHC/SDXC) and Memory Stick Pro Duo. It incorporates wireless features including NFC to expedite image transfer and remote control.

Battery life is substantially better in the A77 II (approx. 480 shots) compared to Olympus (data unavailable but expected lower due to battery type and size).

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

With a fixed zoom lens of 26-676mm equivalent, the Olympus SP-590 UZ is limited to its built-in optics, which, while versatile, cannot be swapped out for specialized lenses.

Sony’s A77 II uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, a well-established and highly supported mount with over 140 lenses ranging from wide-angle primes to professional telephotos and macro lenses. This offers vast creative opportunities and workflow integration.

Price-to-Performance Ratio

Retail pricing at launch for the Olympus hovered around $249, offering a low-cost, superzoom solution primarily aimed at beginners and casual shooters.

The Sony A77 II, at $1,198, positioned itself as a mid-tier enthusiast DSLR, delivering significantly higher performance, image quality, and versatility for a steeper investment.

Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?

For Beginners or Travel Casuals: The Olympus SP-590 UZ’s cost-effectiveness, compact size, and enormous zoom range make it a worthy consideration for those who want simplicity and reach without investment in lenses or advanced controls. It’s well-suited for family snapshots, casual travel photography, and those prioritizing convenience over professional-grade quality.

For Enthusiasts, Wildlife, Sports, and Professional Use: The Sony A77 II is a clear winner. Its large APS-C sensor, robust autofocus, high-speed shooting, and extensive lens compatibility make it an outstanding tool for demanding photography disciplines. While bigger and pricier, its flexibility and image quality rewards serious users.

Final Note from Experience: It’s tempting to view the Olympus SP-590 UZ as a “do-it-all” superzoom, but in real-world use, its limitations become apparent quickly for those pursuing image quality and speed. The Sony A77 II, though older now, continues to be a relevant performer for still images and advanced video - a worthy companion in my extensive kit. Choose based on your needs and budget, but remember: sensor size and autofocus sophistication carry disproportionate weight in overall camera capability.

Olympus SP 590 UZ front Olympus SP 590 UZ screen back Sony A77 II front Sony A77 II screen back

This comparative gallery illustrates directly how sensor technology and optics translate to image output - a picture truly worth a thousand words for any photographer making this critical choice.