Olympus SP-590 UZ Review

Olympus continues to unleash powerful mega-zoom cameras with their SP series offerings. The SP-590 UZ maintains the tradition of this line, offering a superb optical zoom lens that reaches out to an equivalent of 676mm, while at the same time offering a nice wide angle extreme of approx 26mm. This unit is quite fast too, with a wide open maximum aperture of f2.8 wide or 5.0 telephoto. The lens alone makes this one appealing model, however the SP-590 has even more to offer.

What many consider a "bridge" camera, the SP-590UZ does boast many advanced features and controls that one would find on a consumer or entry-level dSLR. With a wide range of manual function and exposure options, the SP-590 does offer some of the flexibility that many enthusiast or amateur photographers enjoy using. Other important features on this camera include a 12-megapixel image sensor, Dual Image Stabilization, high-speed sequential or burst shooting and a bright 2.7-inch LCD.

New to this line are Olympus’ Artistic Scenes, which include Multiple Exposure, Soft Background Focus and Beauty mode. These new features enable beginners to capture more creative photos, without having to know or learn the techniques used to capture them.

SP-590 UZ Features:

• 12 Megapixels (effective), 1/2.33" CCD  for up to 3,968 x 2,976 pixel images
• 26x wide-alngle Optical Zoom + 5x Digital Zoom  with Dual Image Stabilization
• TruePic III Image Processor
• Accurate AutoFocus system with Face Detection mode
• Panoramic Mode stitches 3 images together
• Shadow Adjustment technology and Soft Background Focus Mode
• Low-light focus assist Illuminator
• Built-in pop-up flash with wireless flash compatibility
• 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD 230,000 dots 5 Steps Brightness Adjustment
• 29 shooting modes including Auto, Program Auto, Shutter-speed priority, Aperture priority, Manual, My Mode, Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization, Beauty Mode, and creative scene modes for beginners
• 10fps burst speeds @ 3MP, 6fps @ 5MP, or 1fps @ full resolution
• AVI format movie mode w/sound 640×480 or 320×240 at 15 or 30 fps
• Digital ESP, Spot, Center-weighted and Face Detection AE metering options
• Exposure Compensation: ±2 EV steps in 1/3 EV steps
• White Balance: iESP2 Auto, 6 presets, custom WB
• Shutter speeds of 15 seconds to 1/2000 second (Bulb up to 8 minutes)
• Noise reduction for shutter speeds of 1/2 sec. or longer
• Selectable ISO settings from 64 to 6400 (3200/6400 @ 5MP only)
• In camera editing options such as Perfect Fix and Beauty Fix.
• Built-in microphone and speaker
• Attach short audio clips to still images.
• Powered by 4 standard AA type batteries
• USB Direct-print with any PictBridge compatible printer
• USB 2.0 High-speed connectivity for PC and Mac
• 22MB of built-in memory plus optional xD-Picture or microSD (adapter required) memory cards

The Olympus SP-590 UZ UZ camera kit includes:

• - SP-590 UZ digital camera
• - USB cable
• - Audio/Video cable
• - Manual
• - Neck strap
• - Lens Cap and Lens Cap Strap
• - microSD Attachment
• - AA Batteries (4)
• - OLYMPUS Master 2 Software CD-ROM
• - Warranty card

The SP-590 UZ is available now with an MSRP of US$449.99

Physical Views

The SP-590 UZ compared to an average CD-ROM.

Features & Controls

The SP-590 UZ features a very powerful 26x optical wide-angle zoom lens covering a 35mm equavalent zoom range of 26 – 676mm. The Maximum aperture rage is F2.8 – F8.0, and is comprised of 14 lenses in 11 groups with 4 aspherical lenses and 3 ED (extra-dispersion) lenses. It offers tremendous shooting versatility for travel, sports and day-to-day use.

Dual Image Stabilization combines the benefits of mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization to ensure beautiful, blur-free images in any situation and at lower shutter speeds than non-stabilized lens cameras.

Equipped with a low-light AF-assist lamp, the CCD contrast detection autofocus system has selectable iESP Auto, Spot AF, Face Detection AF, Full-Time AF, Selective AF Target, AF Lock, Predictive AF, and Manual target modes and a working range of:

• Normal/Macro: Wide 3.9′ – infinity (0.1m – infinity), Telephoto 66.9′ – infinity (1.7m – infinity)
• Super Macro mode: 0.39′ – infinity (0.01m – infinity)

The optional CLA-11 is a Lens Adapter Tube that enables the attachment of add-on wide angle or telephoto conversion lenses. The CLA-11 adapter is not to be used with filters. Compatible accessory lenses include the TCON-17 1.7x telephoto conversion lens.

The manual pop-up speedlight has modes for Auto (for low light and back lit conditions), Red- eye Reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in + red eye, Slow Synchro 1&2, Slow Synchro + Red-Eye Reduction and Off. The working flash range is 0.98ft (0.3m) – 29ft (9m) Wide, 5.6ft (1.7m) – 16.4ft. (5m) Telephoto, using ISO 800.

The SP-590 UZ uses a color electronic viewfinder (EVF) as the eye-level viewfinder. The EVF can display the same data as the large LCD, with the exception of the Main menu (shown on the LCD only.) Simply press the MONITOR button to toggle the active display. This unit does offer a dioptric adjustment.

The high resolution 2.7-inch color LCD has 230,000 pixels and can be used for preview, review and accessing the camera’s menu system. The LCD or EVF can display a real-time histogram when desired.

Controls on the back: At the top over the corner of the LCD is the MONITOR button, which toggles the display between EVF and LCD. Next is the Custom button, in playback it serves as the burst mode sequence display. Mounted around the 4-way selector is the Menu and Playback buttons on top and the Display (Guide), and Shadow Adjustment (erase in playback) buttons underneath.  DISP./GUIDE button toggles the overlay information on the EVF/LCD image and enables the histogram. When viewing menu screens, select a menu item and press it to display an explanation of the item’s intended function. The MENU button calls up and dismisses the main menu options. The 4-way controller is for navigating menus, changing settings and selecting playback images. The OK/FUNCtion button accepts menu selections and calls up the FUNCtion shortcut menu. Pressing the 4-way controller ‘Up’ toggles exposure compensation, ‘Right’ selects the flash mode, ‘Down’ enters self-timer mode, and ‘Left’ enables Macro focus.

Grip controls: Top is the Shutter release with the zoom controls mounted around it, and the Power button underneath. The Mode Dial has positions for: AUTO, Program AE, Aperture priority, Shutter-speed priority, Manual, MyMODE, SCeNe, Beauty, Movie and Playback.

On the side are 3 ports. The top is the multi-connector port for hook-up to AV connections (Audio is monaural), Pictbridge enabled printers, and computers (with USB 2.0 high-speed). In the center is the connection for the DC "IN" for an external power supply. And at the bottom is an HDMI mini connector for connection to a television.

The SP-590 UZ stores its data on ~22MB of built-in memory or on optional xD-Picture Cards. This model is also compatible with microSD cards, however the MASD-1 adapter is required.

Approx. Still Image Capacity

Approx. Movie Capacity

The SP-590 UZ is powered by four standard AA batteries, alkaline, or NiMH type cells. Olympus claims a battery life of up to 340 shots. We recommend using high-capacity NiMH cells, they last much longer, and will save you money in the long run

Record Screens & Menus

The Auto record mode is a fully automatic mode that allows the camera to choose all settings (shutter speed, aperture, ISO sensitivity, white balance, etc.), and lets novice users simply select the desired image quality and ‘point-n-shoot.’

Here you can see the Program exposure mode. Icons indicate that the flash is not raised or off, we are using 12M/Fine quality, NR is on, Dual IS is on, and there’s room on our xD card for 213 images. The ‘shaky hand symbol’ indicates that Image Stabilization is On, and you can also see the shutter speed and aperture values.

Half-pressing the shutter release starts the autofocus process, and if it locks the AF target marks will turn green over the intended area of focus. If autofocus fails, the the marks will flash red. The red lighting bolt indicates a couple things, in the photo above it’s telling us that we need to use the flash in order to get an optimum exposure. When the flash is popped up, it indicates the charge status of the flash unit. 

In Aperture priority mode you select the desired aperture and the camera automatically sets the correct shutter speed. A small aperture (larger f/number) increases the depth of field (range of focus), where a large aperture (smaller f/number) decreases depth of field. Aperture (f/2.8 here) is adjusted by first pressing ‘Up’, then using the ‘Up and Down’ buttons of the 4-way controller. The live viewfinder image displays the effect of the selected exposure compensation value.

Shutter-speed priority mode you select the shutter speed and the camera selects the correct aperture. Select a fast shutter speed to freeze fast-moving subjects or use a slower shutter speed to capture flowing water or low-light subjects. Settings are changed just like Aperture priority mode.

In Manual mode you select both shutter speed (up/down) and aperture value (left/right), the exposure value is displayed constantly (if not 0.0), so you can adjust the values to achieve the proper exposure.

You can access a variety of Scene modes by rotating the Mode dial to the SCN position. As you go through the Scene selections an image depicting the mode is shown. Pressing the DISP. button will show a brief text explanation of the mode (like portrait shown above.) You can choose from 19 different exposure modes: 1. PORTRAIT, 2. LANDSCAPE, 3. SPORT, 4. NIGHT SCENE, 5. NIGHT+PORTRAIT, 6. INDOOR, 7. CANDLE, 8. SUNSET, 9. FIREWORKS, 10. MULTI FIREWORKS, 11. MULTIPLE EXPOSURE, 12. CUISINE, 13. DOCUMENTS, 14. SMILE SHOT, 15. BEACH & SNOW, 16. BIRD WATCHING, 17. PRE-CAPTURE MOVIE, 18. QUICK SHUTTER, 19. SOFT BACKGROUND SHOT.

Pressing the OK/FUNC. button in Program mode will bring up the menu of options shown above.

FUNC. Menu Options:

• Drive Mode – Single, Continuous, High-Speed Continuous 1 (Hi1), Hi2, Hi2 with pre-capture, AF Continuous (refocus for each shot), Bracketing
• White Balance – Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Tungsten (Incandescent), or Fluorescent 1, 2, 3, and Manual set
• ISO – Auto, High Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 (3200/6400 5MP mode only)
• Metering – ESP, Spot, Evaluative
• Image Quality – 12MP, 5MP, 3MP, 2MP, 1MP, VGA, 16:9L, 16:9S
• Compression – Fine or Normal

Press the MENU button to bring up the Record mode Menu. You can use the shortcut menus to quickly change image resolution, reset all settings to factor defaults, change the scene mode, enter silent mode, capture a panorama as well as enter the Camera or Setup menus.

A new exposure option on the SP-590 is Beauty mode, which is a "portrait" style scene mode that uses face detection to lock onto your subject, then produces an image with smooth skin texture and tone.

Camera Menu Option:

• White Balance – Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Tungsten (Incandescent), or Fluorescent 1, 2, 3, and Manual
• ISO – Auto, High ISO Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 (3200/6400 @5M)
• Drive Mode – Single, Continuous, High-Speed Continuous 1 (Hi1), Hi2, Hi2 with pre-capture, AF Continuous (refocus for each shot), Bracketing
• Fine Zoom – On or Off
• Digital Zoom – Enable or disable digital zoom option
• Metering – ESP, Spot, Evaluative
• AF Mode – iESP, Face Detect, Spot, Area focus modes
• Focus Mode AF or MF
• Full Time AF – On or off
• AF Predict – On or off
• AF Illumination – Off or On
• Image Stabilizer – Off or On
• Flash Output – ±2EV in 1/3 EV steps
• External Flash – IN, RC, or Slave
• Sound – Off or On
• WB Compensation – Adjust the white balance preset being used
• Picture Mode – Vivid or Natural
• Sharpness – ±5 degrees
• Contrast – ±5 degrees
• Saturation – ±5 degrees
• Noise Reduction – Off or On
• Time-Lapse – Off or On
• Conversion Lens – Off or On

SETUP Menu Options

• Format – Format the xD memory card
• Backup – Copy images stored in internal memory to the installed xD memory card
• Menu Language – English, French, Espanol, Etc.
• PW ON Setup – Select power up screen animation and sound level
• Menu Color – Normal, Color 1,2,3
• Sound Settings – Beep, Shutter Sound, Camera Sound, Volume
• Rec View – View image immediately after capture on LCD, Off or ON
• Menu Display – LCD only or Current
• Live View Boost – Off or On
• File Name – Select between Reset and Auto
• Pixel Mapping – Map out bad pixels
• Monitor Brightness – Adjust LCD backlight
• Set Clock – Set time and or date
• Dual Time Setup – On/Off
• PIC Orientation – Off or On
• Video Out – Video out signal – NTSC or PAL format
• HDMI Out – 1080i, 720p, 480p
• Histogram – On/Off
• My Mode Setup – Set preferences of My mode (exposure mode, Exposure Comp, Flash mode, etc.)
• m/ft – Select unit of measurement (Meters or Feet)
• Custom Button – Choose the function of the custom button
• Sleep – 1, 3, 5, 10 minutes

Movie mode lets you capture VGA (640×480) or QVGA (320×240) resolution motion video at 15fps or 30fps with sound. The length of a movie is limited only by the available memory (2GB max. clip length). Movies are recorded with sound (be sure to enable this via the Rec. Menu), and saved as a Motion JPEG .AVI file. Unlike past SP models, the optical zoom May be used during recording

Playback Screens & Menus

When you rotate the mode dial to the Playback position or press the Play button, the last image captured is displayed full screen, with minimal information. You can see icons for image quality (Fine), image size (12M), time&date of capture, and the image and folder numbers. Pressing the DISPlay button controls the amount of information displayed on the screen. You can show simple, detailed, detailed+histogram, and now information at all.

Press the wide angle zoom button to enter the Index playback mode. Depending on the menu setting, the index is 4, 9, 16 or 25 images per page – or the calendar display. This shows your captured images and when they were taken.

The playback image can be magnified in several steps from 1.0x to 10.0x in 1.0x increments, you can then scroll around the image using the 4-way selector. Press the telephoto zoom button to enlarge and the wide angle button to shrink.

Pressing the menu button in play mode brings up this shortcut menu. Here you can start a slide show of your saved images, edit your pictures, choose the DPOF (Direct Print Order Format) settings, use Perfect or Beauty Fix, enter the Playback Menu, etc.

PLAYBACK submenu:

• Protect – protects the selected images from deletion
• Rotate – Rotate an image 90° for proper orientation
• Voice Memo – Add a sound clip to a saved image
• INDEX PLAY – Breaks your movies up into frames

EDIT submenu:

• Resize – Makes image smaller and save as a new picture
• Crop – Crop an image and save as a new file
• Color Edit – Adjust the colors of an image
• Calendar – Make an image of a calendar month containing the selected image
• Face Focus – Change the largest face in the frame and save it as a new picture

Beauty fix allows you to soften or "Clear" the skin, add a sparkle to or enlarge your subject’s eyes,  or All of the above.

Here you can see the Perfect Fix menu. It will allow you to correct the lighting or remove red-eye from your images and save them as a new file.

The Resize option lets you save an image to a lower resolution.

Movie clips can be played back on the camera’s LCD or a television set via the supplied Audio/Video cable. When viewed in camera, sound is heard through the built-in speakers. Using the 4-way controller, you can fast-forward and rewind the video as well as adjust the volume. The SP-590 also offer HDMI output via the port located on the left side of the camera

Sample Photos

All photos taken using Program mode, ISO 64, and all other settings at default, unless noted.

P8120017.JPG
Full wide angle
3968×2976
5,757,374

P8120018.JPG
Mid telephoto
3968×2976
5,235,673

P8120019.JPG
Full telephoto
3968×2976
4,946,444

P8120006.AVI
12 secs.
No sound
640×480
21,059,412

P8120031.JPG
3968×2976
5,532,597

P8120038.JPG
3968×2976
5,422,634

P8140060.JPG
Full telephoto
3968×2976
5,314,638

P8140064.JPG
Mid telephoto
3968×2976
5,185,985

P8140065.JPG
Full wide angle
3968×2976
5,243,294

P8140069.JPG
3968×2976
5,695,329

P8140073.JPG
3968×2976
5,666,419

P8140075.JPG
3968×2976
5,669,211

P8140082.JPG
3968×2976
5,737,198

P8140092.JPG
3968×2976
5,156,375

P8250104.JPG
3968×2976
5,263,303

P9010114.JPG
3968×2976
5,446,933

P9040130.JPG
ISO 64 w/flash
3968×2976
5,453,626

P9040132.JPG
ISO 64
3968×2976
5,194,685

P9040134.JPG
ISO 100
3968×2976
5,584,048

P9040136.JPG
ISO 200
3968×2976
5,109,094

P9040138.JPG
ISO 400
3968×2976
5,579,649

P9040140.JPG
ISO 800
3968×2976
5,154,243

P9040142.JPG
ISO 1600
3968×2976
5,062,190

P9040144.JPG
ISO 3200
2560×1920
2,404,559

P9040146.JPG
ISO 6400
2560×1920
2,130,714

P9160250.AVI
15 seconds
640×480
27,008,816

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