• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SP-590UZ advantages over Sony HX300

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Lighter weight
    373g vs 656g
    Lighter weight
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Sony HX300 advantages over Olympus SP-590UZ

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 676 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Olympus SP-590UZ

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Buy the Sony HX300
Sony HX300

Review Excerpt

  • Super-versatile 50x optical zoom lens helps you capture everything from wide-angle cityscapes to zoomed in portraits from what feels like a mile away; Still quite light and portable considering the powerful lens; Comfortable and ergonomic design; Full HD video recording at up to 60p, with good quality.

  • Relatively small, 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor delivers average image quality that degrades quickly at high sensitivities; Images not as sharp or as bright at full telephoto as we had hoped; Slow camera to use overall.

  • Read our Sony HX300 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-565UZ

Olympus SP-590UZ
Olympus SP-565UZ
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe

Compare Olympus SP-590UZ vs Olympus SP-565UZ

Sony HX300
Olympus SP-565UZ
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX300 vs Olympus SP-565UZ

Compared to Pentax X70

Olympus SP-590UZ
Pentax X70
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster shutter

Compare Olympus SP-590UZ vs Pentax X70

Sony HX300
Pentax X70
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX300 vs Pentax X70

Compared to Pentax X90

Olympus SP-590UZ
Pentax X90
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Faster shutter

Compare Olympus SP-590UZ vs Pentax X90

Sony HX300
Pentax X90
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX300 vs Pentax X90

Compared to Fujifilm SL1000

Olympus SP-590UZ
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Lighter weight
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • RAW file ability

Compare Olympus SP-590UZ vs Fujifilm SL1000

Sony HX300
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • More pixels
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • RAW file ability

Compare Sony HX300 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Compared to Sony HX400V

Olympus SP-590UZ
Sony HX400V
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Lighter weight
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus SP-590UZ vs Sony HX400V

Sony HX300
Sony HX400V
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony HX300 vs Sony HX400V

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