Super zoom Super zoom
January, 2009
Olympus SP-590 UZ

Olympus SP-590 UZ Competitors

As well as being compared against other super zooms, the Olympus SP-590 UZ is also often compared to entry-level DSLRs, travel zooms, pro digicams and compacts. The Olympus SP-590 UZ's top rivals come from Olympus (such as the SP-610 UZ and the SP-810 UZ) and Nikon (such as the Coolpix P100 and the Coolpix P500)

Competitor classes

compared toSuper zoom competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Olympus SP-590 UZ compared to other super zoom competitors include: it has better image stabilization (lens, sensor shift vs none), slightly higher boost light sensitivity (6,400 ISO vs none), has higher quality type of viewfinder (digital vs none), has a faster max shutter speed (1/2000 of a second vs 1/850 of a second) and slightly longer exposures (15 seconds vs 4 seconds).

However, on average it has slightly less zoom (26x vs 30x), records lower quality movies (480p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps), has a significantly smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0"), doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 240 fps) and slightly lower maximum light sensitivity (1,600 ISO vs 3,200 ISO).

Olympus SP-610 UZ

Olympus SP-610 UZ
2 years newer
$308

Significant advantages of the SP-610 UZ (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Significantly larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7"

Significant disadvantages of the SP-610 UZ (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Narrower aperture: f/3.3 vs f/2.8
  • No viewfinder: None vs Digital

common strengths of the SP-610 UZ and SP-590 UZ

  • Fairly small: Standard size 107x72x73 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
  • Light weight: 405 g vs 413 g
  • Thin: 2.9" vs 3.2"
arrow Compare the SP-610 UZ vs the SP-590 UZ

Olympus SP-810 UZ

Olympus SP-810 UZ
2 years newer
$329

Significant advantages of the SP-810 UZ (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much more zoom: 36x vs 26x
  • Significantly larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7"

Significant disadvantages of the SP-810 UZ (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Significantly worse macro capability: 5 cm vs 1 cm
  • No viewfinder: None vs Digital
  • Much slower max shutter speed: 1/850 of a second vs 1/2000 of a second

common strengths of the SP-810 UZ and SP-590 UZ

  • Fairly small: Standard size 105x75x73 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
  • Light weight: 413 g vs 413 g
  • Thin: 2.9" vs 3.2"
arrow Compare the SP-810 UZ vs the SP-590 UZ

Nikon Coolpix P100

Nikon Coolpix P100
1 year newer

Significant advantages of the P100 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 480p @ 30fps
  • Has a flip-out screen
  • Significantly larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7"

Significant disadvantages of the P100 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • No boost ISO: None vs 6,400 ISO

common strengths of the P100 and SP-590 UZ

  • Both have digital viewfinders: Digital vs Digital
arrow Compare the Nikon Coolpix P100 vs the Olympus SP-590 UZ

Olympus SP-800 UZ

Olympus SP-800 UZ
1 year newer
$310 - $379

Significant advantages of the SP-800 UZ (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Significantly larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7"

Significant disadvantages of the SP-800 UZ (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • No image stabilization: None vs Lens, Sensor shift
  • No viewfinder: None vs Digital

common strengths of the SP-800 UZ and SP-590 UZ

  • Light weight: 455 g vs 413 g
arrow Compare the SP-800 UZ vs the SP-590 UZ

Nikon Coolpix P500

Nikon Coolpix P500
2 years newer
$339 - $350

Significant advantages of the P500 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 480p @ 30fps
  • Much more zoom: 36x vs 26x
  • Has a flip-out screen

Significant disadvantages of the P500 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Significantly narrower aperture: f/3.5 vs f/2.8
  • No boost ISO: None vs 6,400 ISO

common strengths of the P500 and SP-590 UZ

  • Both have digital viewfinders: Digital vs Digital
arrow Compare the Nikon Coolpix P500 vs the Olympus SP-590 UZ

Olympus SP-570 UZ

Olympus SP-570 UZ
1 year older

Significant advantages of the SP-570 UZ (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Shoots RAW
  • Supports an external flash

Significant disadvantages of the SP-570 UZ (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Less zoom: 20x vs 26x

common strengths of the SP-570 UZ and SP-590 UZ

  • Fairly small: Prosumer size 116x79x78 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
  • Light weight: 405 g vs 413 g
  • Thin: 3.1" vs 3.2"
arrow Compare the SP-570 UZ vs the SP-590 UZ

compared toEntry-level DSLR competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Olympus SP-590 UZ compared to entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has better image stabilization (lens, sensor shift vs none), shoots faster continuously (6 fps vs 3 fps), is newer (january, 2009 vs may, 2008) and is significantly lighter (413 g vs 552 g).

However, on average it takes slightly lower resolution photos (9.8 MP vs 16.1 MP), doesn't record movies in 24p, has a much smaller sensor (1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.6mm), has a lower quality type of viewfinder (digital vs pentamirror) and users slower contrast detection autofocus (contrast detection vs phase detection).

Olympus E-520

Olympus E-520
7 months older

Significant advantages of the E-520 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much larger sensor: Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm vs 1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm
  • Shoots RAW
  • Has interchangeable lenses

Significant disadvantages of the E-520 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Shoots slower: 3.5 fps vs 6 fps
  • Significantly heavier: 552 g vs 413 g

common strengths of the E-520 and SP-590 UZ

  • Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Lens, Sensor shift
  • Fairly small: Prosumer size 136x92x68 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
arrow Compare the E-520 vs the SP-590 UZ

Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100
2 years newer
$650 - $749 (body only)
$600 - $750 18-55mm lens

Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much larger sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs 1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm
  • Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection
  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 480p @ 30fps

Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • No image stabilization: None vs Lens, Sensor shift
  • Larger: Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
  • Significantly heavier: 560 g vs 413 g

common strengths of the D5100 and SP-590 UZ

  • None found
arrow Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Olympus SP-590 UZ

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200
1 year older

Significant advantages of the DSLR-A200 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much larger sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs 1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm
  • Shoots RAW
  • Has interchangeable lenses

Significant disadvantages of the DSLR-A200 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Shoots significantly slower: 3 fps vs 6 fps
  • Significantly heavier: 572 g vs 413 g

common strengths of the DSLR-A200 and SP-590 UZ

  • Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Lens, Sensor shift
  • Fairly small: Prosumer size 131x99x71 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
arrow Compare the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 vs the Olympus SP-590 UZ

Nikon D40X

Nikon D40X
1 year older

Significant advantages of the D40X (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much larger sensor: APS-C 23.7x15.6mm vs 1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm
  • Shoots RAW
  • Has interchangeable lenses

Significant disadvantages of the D40X (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • No image stabilization: None vs Lens, Sensor shift
  • Significantly smaller screen: 2.5" vs 2.7"
  • Shoots significantly slower: 3 fps vs 6 fps

common strengths of the D40X and SP-590 UZ

  • Fairly small: Prosumer size 124x94x64 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
  • Light weight: 522 g vs 413 g
arrow Compare the Nikon D40X vs the Olympus SP-590 UZ

compared toTravel zoom competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Olympus SP-590 UZ compared to travel zoom competitors include: it has significantly more zoom (26x vs 12x), has a slightly wider aperture (f/2.8 vs f/3.4), slightly higher boost light sensitivity (6,400 ISO vs none) and has a viewfinder (digital vs none).

However, on average it records lower quality movies (480p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps), has a significantly smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0"), has a slightly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 921k dots), is significantly larger (prosumer size 116x84x81 mm vs compact 105x62x35 mm) and doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 240 fps).

Canon PowerShot SX130 IS

Canon PowerShot SX130 IS
1 year newer
$127 - $245

Significant advantages of the SX130 IS (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Significantly larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7"
  • Significantly smaller: Mid size 113x73x46 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
  • Significantly thinner: 1.8" vs 3.2"

Significant disadvantages of the SX130 IS (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Significantly less zoom: 12x vs 26x
  • Significantly narrower aperture: f/3.4 vs f/2.8
  • No boost ISO: None vs 6,400 ISO

common strengths of the SX130 IS and SP-590 UZ

  • Good macro capabilities: 1 cm vs 1 cm
arrow Compare the Canon PowerShot SX130 IS vs the Olympus SP-590 UZ

Olympus SZ-30MR

Olympus SZ-30MR
2 years newer
$362 - $403

Significant advantages of the SZ-30MR (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 480p @ 30fps
  • Significantly smaller: Mid size 106x69x40 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
  • Significantly larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7"

Significant disadvantages of the SZ-30MR (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • No viewfinder: None vs Digital

common strengths of the SZ-30MR and SP-590 UZ

  • Great zoom: 24x vs 26x
  • Wide aperture: f/3.0 vs f/2.8
arrow Compare the SZ-30MR vs the SP-590 UZ

Canon ELPH 310 HS

Canon ELPH 310 HS
2 years newer
$195 - $199

Significant advantages of the 310 HS (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 480p @ 30fps
  • Much smaller: Super compact 96x57x22 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
  • Supports 24p

Significant disadvantages of the 310 HS (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much less zoom: 8x vs 26x

common strengths of the 310 HS and SP-590 UZ

  • Wide aperture: f/3.0 vs f/2.8
  • Good macro capabilities: 1 cm vs 1 cm
arrow Compare the Canon ELPH 310 HS vs the Olympus SP-590 UZ

Nikon Coolpix S9100

Nikon Coolpix S9100
2 years newer
$179 - $197

Significant advantages of the S9100 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 480p @ 30fps
  • Significantly higher resolution screen: 921k dots vs 230k dots
  • Significantly smaller: Compact 105x62x35 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm

Significant disadvantages of the S9100 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Significantly narrower aperture: f/3.5 vs f/2.8
  • Significantly less zoom: 18x vs 26x
  • No viewfinder: None vs Digital

common strengths of the S9100 and SP-590 UZ

  • None found
arrow Compare the Nikon Coolpix S9100 vs the Olympus SP-590 UZ

compared toPro digicam competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Olympus SP-590 UZ compared to pro digicam competitors include: it has way more more zoom (26x vs 5x), has a slightly wider wide angle lens (26 mm vs 28 mm), shoots faster continuously (6 fps vs 1.1 fps) and slightly higher boost light sensitivity (6,400 ISO vs none).

However, on average it has a much smaller sensor (1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm vs 1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm), doesn't shoot RAW, has a slightly smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0"), has a significantly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 921k dots) and is significantly larger (prosumer size 116x84x81 mm vs mid size 114x77x45 mm).

Nikon Coolpix P7100

Nikon Coolpix P7100
2 years newer
$400 - $409

Significant advantages of the P7100 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much larger sensor: 1/1.8" 7.5x5.5mm vs 1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm
  • Shoots RAW
  • Has a flip-out screen

Significant disadvantages of the P7100 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much less zoom: 7.1x vs 26x

common strengths of the P7100 and SP-590 UZ

  • Viewfinders: Tunnel vs Digital
arrow Compare the Nikon Coolpix P7100 vs the Olympus SP-590 UZ

Canon PowerShot G11

Canon PowerShot G11
7 months newer
$704

Significant advantages of the G11 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much larger sensor: 1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm vs 1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm
  • Shoots RAW
  • Has a flip-out screen

Significant disadvantages of the G11 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much less zoom: 5x vs 26x
  • No boost ISO: None vs 6,400 ISO

common strengths of the G11 and SP-590 UZ

  • Viewfinders: Tunnel vs Digital
arrow Compare the Canon PowerShot G11 vs the Olympus SP-590 UZ

compared toCompact competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Olympus SP-590 UZ compared to compact competitors include: it has a slightly wider aperture (f/2.8 vs f/3.1), has way more more zoom (26x vs 3x), has a much wider wide angle lens (26 mm vs 36 mm), has a much larger screen (2.7" vs 1.8") and has image stabilization (lens, sensor shift vs none).

However, on average it is much larger (prosumer size 116x84x81 mm vs compact 96x56x24 mm), is thicker (3.2" vs 0.9") and is much heavier (413 g vs 165 g).

Olympus D-580 Zoom

Olympus D-580 Zoom
4 years older

Significant advantages of the D-580 Zoom (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much smaller: Compact 108x58x37 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
  • Much thinner: 1.5" vs 3.2"
  • Much lighter: 210 g vs 413 g

Significant disadvantages of the D-580 Zoom (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much less zoom: 3x vs 26x
  • Much lower true resolution: 3.9 MP vs 9.8 MP
  • Much smaller screen: 1.8" vs 2.7"

common strengths of the D-580 Zoom and SP-590 UZ

  • Viewfinders: Tunnel vs Digital
arrow Compare the D-580 Zoom vs the SP-590 UZ

Olympus Stylus 1200

Olympus Stylus 1200
1 year older

Significant advantages of the 1200 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much smaller: Compact 98x56x23 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
  • Much thinner: 0.9" vs 3.2"
  • Much higher true resolution: 12 MP vs 9.8 MP

Significant disadvantages of the 1200 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much less zoom: 3x vs 26x
  • Much worse wide angle: 35 mm vs 26 mm
  • No image stabilization: None vs Lens, Sensor shift

common strengths of the 1200 and SP-590 UZ

  • None found
arrow Compare the Stylus 1200 vs the SP-590 UZ

Olympus D-595 Zoom

Olympus D-595 Zoom
3 years older

Significant advantages of the D-595 Zoom (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much smaller: Compact 105x61x36 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
  • Much thinner: 1.4" vs 3.2"
  • Much lighter: 190 g vs 413 g

Significant disadvantages of the D-595 Zoom (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much less zoom: 3x vs 26x
  • Much lower true resolution: 4.9 MP vs 9.8 MP
  • Much worse wide angle: 38 mm vs 26 mm

common strengths of the D-595 Zoom and SP-590 UZ

  • Wide aperture: f/2.8 vs f/2.8
  • Good macro capabilities: 2 cm vs 1 cm
  • Viewfinders: Tunnel vs Digital
arrow Compare the D-595 Zoom vs the SP-590 UZ

Olympus Stylus 820

Olympus Stylus 820
1 year older

Significant advantages of the Stylus 820 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much smaller: Compact 96x56x24 mm vs Prosumer size 116x84x81 mm
  • Much thinner: 0.9" vs 3.2"
  • Much lighter: 165 g vs 413 g

Significant disadvantages of the Stylus 820 (vs the SP-590 UZ)

  • Much less zoom: 5x vs 26x
  • Much worse wide angle: 36 mm vs 26 mm
  • No image stabilization: None vs Lens, Sensor shift

common strengths of the Stylus 820 and SP-590 UZ

  • Good macro capabilities: 3 cm vs 1 cm
arrow Compare the Stylus 820 vs the SP-590 UZ