Replacement or upgrade for Olympus SP-590 UZ? Recommendations?

The short: I have the above camera and I was looking to upgrade in either the compact area or small DSLR. I was looking at the Stylus SP-100 and the OM-D E-M10. There are just so many camera's to choose from! Suggestions?

The long; I enjoy taking pictures, but I'm not a professional by any means. Strictly travel, wildlife, portrait, people etc. (I did do a few weddings very successfully, but only for friends that asked and I do not see that in my future.) As much as I like reading about it, I cannot justify myself spending $K's for something like the new OMD 1. $500-$800 and maybe a bit more to cover lenses seems within my budget. I like the Olympus line and have had great luck with the 590.

I'm leaning towards the OM-D E-M10. I still have and old film Nikon F2 I haven't used in eons so no complete stranger to interchangeable lenses and all. But, I really liked the portability and zoom of the 590 in one unit.

I have a pocket Canon SX280HS I bought recently which does a fair job and certainly is portable. I also like the WiFi capability. But I think the Olympus models would provide better quality and features. Bottom line, I'm simply blown away at all the choices by all mfg.'s so at least decided to stick with Olympus. I keep going from Pen to Stylus to OMD to whatever. I see great comments and posts on this site so if you've got comments or suggestions that might help solidify a choice it would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

John

JohnUser wrote:

The short: I have the above camera and I was looking to upgrade in either the compact area or small DSLR. I was looking at the Stylus SP-100 and the OM-D E-M10. There are just so many camera's to choose from! Suggestions?

I'm leaning towards the OM-D E-M10. I still have and old film Nikon F2 I haven't used in eons so no complete stranger to interchangeable lenses and all. But, I really liked the portability and zoom of the 590 in one unit.

The OM-D E-M10 is establishing a favourable reputation for itself.

In my perception, with the SP100 it depends a lot on which design team did it. If it is that behind the Stylus 1, you may end up with 11-year-old design features (clicking AF sound in videos, worse, the camera will not shut down properly before the battery dies, leaving the lens extended).

If it is the SH-50 design team, you should have a camera that never lets you down.

My last SP-series bridge camera is the SP-570UZ, which does have quirks: All rotations for 'up' go counter-clockwise. Some menu features shut out others. and with some duplication of functions it may take a while to find out what is shutting down what.

So until someone actually has an SP-100EE, I consider its useability open to question. I would like its 50x optical zoom. The red dot sight would enable me to zoom in closer to flying gannets without loosing them.

But my emphasis these days is on reliability and speed of functions.

As an illustration, when Sandra posed for me 14 years ago she complained about the delays, some of which were due to the C-2500L not talking reliably to the FL-40 flash. She continued expressing irritation about delays (for any reason) when taking photo of her, with her or for her until I got the SZ-30MR. The SH-50 operation is faster and more consistent still, in a package small enough that does not make her feel she is competing with the camera for attention.

A camera the size of the SP-100 or the OMD E M10 will compete with Sandra for attention, and at this precise moment, it is the E M10 that has a defined and favourable reputation.

Henry

It really depends on how you use the SP-590UZ, what your budget is, etc. Right now, there is not really a replacement in the Olympus line up that will perfectly match your SP-590UZ. So, you have to judge what features are must haves and what features you can live without.

Now, the SP-590UZ has an 35mm film camera equivalent focal range of 26-676mm. If you take a lot of pictures at the long end of the zoom range, then you probably want one of the long zoom cameras (SH-50 for $250US, SZ-16 for $230, SP-820UZ for $280, SP-100 for $400).

If you find yourself need more range than you already have, then you should look at the SP-100, which will give you 24-1200mm equivalent zoom. It isn't available yet, but it should be next month.

If you want that range in an interchangeable lens camera (ILC) like the OM-D or Pen, you will need at least two lenses, the 12-50mm (24-100mm equivalent), and the 75-300mm (150-600mm equivalent). The E-M10 + 12-50mm + 75-300mm will set you back $1,650 (US) or so. Now, if you are willing to give up a little bit of wide angle, you would switch the 14-42mm (28-84mm equivalent) kit lens for the 12-50mm, and it would drop the price to $1,350. Bear in mind that you will have to switch lenses to cover the field of view, and that there is a hole in the middle of the range (100-150mm or 84-150mm equivalent) that you would need to shoot with the wide angle lens, and crop your image to achieve the framing you want. If that is a problem, you would need to switch to the 14-150mm (28-300mm equivalent) for your wide angle lens for $1,750, or add the 40-150mm lens (80-300mm equivalent) to your package for $1,500.

Be sure to look at how big and heavy the entire package is. Also note that you will need to shoot two handed (left hand zooms the lens, right hand does the shutter).  I find at times, I prefer to shoot one handed, and using the super-zoom cameras with the zoom lever on the shutter button is very handy.

If you are willing to have only 1/2 the telephoto range and a little less wide angle (28-300mm equivalent), then the Stylus1 becomes a candidate as well ($700). Likewise, in that range, you can drop the $550 75-300mm lens from the ILC cameras.

If price is an issue, Olympus is having a fire sale on the E-PM2 + 14-42mm + 40-150mm lens for $300. The E-PM2 does not have an electronic viewfinder as part of the camera, but you can add one for $145 for the cheap one, and $280 for the better one. I have the E-PM2 camera, and I really like the images. I recently upgraded to the E-M5 in order to get weather sealing and the electronic viewfinder. The E-PM2 is the low end Pen, which means it doesn't have as many buttons/dials for direct shooting, and the LCD doesn't tilt.

Next up is the size of the camera. I don't have direct experience with the SP-590UZ, but I had a SP-550UZ for a while. The SH-50, SZ-16 are smaller, the SP-820UZ should be about the same size, the Stylus1 is probably wider but not as deep as the SP-590UZ when folded up, and the SP-100 and ILC cameras will be bigger (particularly when you consider bringing multiple lenses). The E-PM2 + 14-42mm lens is perhaps the same size as the SP-590UZ, providing you remove the flash and/or electronic viewfinder. The extra lenses though might be a problem in terms of size.

The SP-590UZ took 4 AA batteries. Except for the SP-820UZ, all of the cameras take propriety batteries, so you might want to figure in the cost of getting extra batteries to the total price with the other cameras. I tend to buy third party propriety batteries and chargers from bluenook.com.

The SP-590UZ has an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which is very helpful in shooting in bright sun. For some people, it isn't an issue whether the camera has an EVF or not, for others it is very important. The SH-50, SZ-16, and SP-820UZ do not have an option for an electronic viewfinder, so on these cameras you would need to shoot with the LCD only. You can get hoods to block out the sun for the cameras (look at clearviewer.com). The SP-100, Stylus1, and E-M10 all have builtin EVF's. The E-PM2 can take an optional EVF, but you will not be able to use the flash when using the EVF. I also find I cannot use the VF-2 on my E-PM2 when I use polarized sunglasses, and wanting the EVF was a big reason I went for the Stylus1/E-M5.

The SP-590UZ used xD memory cards which are now obsolete (and good riddance to them). All of the current cameras take SD, SD-HC, and SD-XC memory cards. This means you will have to buy at least least one memory card. FWIW, I just got some SanDisk 16GB SDHC Extreme Class 10 UHS-1 cards for under $20. When getting memory cards, be sure to get at least class 10 cards if you plan to shoot video. If you have an older SD card reader, you probably will need to replace it, as the modern cards need newer readers.

I believe the SH-50 and SZ-16 will charge batteries via the USB cable (I'm not sure about this). If you want to charge batteries outside of the camera, you can get 3rd party chargers (and extra batteries).

The SP-590UZ had a f/2.8-5.0 lens. With the exception of the Stylus1 and SP-100, all of the cameras mentioned have slower lenses. However, in the 4-5 years since the SP-590UZ was designed, the sensor technology has improved, and you can shoot at higher ISO's, so it likely will be a wash. The E-PM2 and E-M10 will have much better image quality, particularly at the higher ISOs, but it is a matter of do you want to carry the bigger lenses, etc. in order to get the bettery quality of image that the larger sensor affords. Everything is a tradeoff, and it is a matter of what you want. I go back and forth whether I want to carry all of the gear to get that extra quality, or whether I want a small package that fits in a jacket pocket.

In terms of accessories, the Stylus1, E-PM2, and E-M10 will support external flashes and wired shutter releases. The Stylus1 and E-M10 will also support connecting to the camera from a smartphone via wifi.

I do not tend to shoot movies with my Olympus cameras. If movies are important to you, then Henry is the person to talk to, since for him movies are very important.

So, if I were in your shoes, the SP-820UZ is probably the closest to a direct replacement for your SP-590UZ. The only thing is the lack of the EVF, and it might make sense to get something like a clearviewer. I have the clearviewer, and it does what it claims, but I find it a little fiddly for using it as a vacation camera, and I haven't used it in awhile. The SH-50 is also a good camera -- it is a little smaller and maybe it doesn't have all of the controls the more expensive cameras have, but maybe you don't use a lot of those extra bells and whistles the SP-590UZ had. If you want the EVF, I would say go either for the Stylus1 or SP-100. Go for the Stylus1 if you want pocketability, more advanced shooting features, at a cost of much less zoom range. Go for the SP-100 if you don't mind a slightly bigger camera, but that it still is an all-in-one camera. Go with the E-PM2 or E-M10 if you want to get into more control, and have better image quality for large prints (showing images at web resolutions or printing 4x6 pictures likely won't show up the better quality).

I have had the C-750UZ which died with the lens open, and AF clicking on video. I still have the SZ-30MR with grinding zoom noises on video. The Stylus 1 has these features again. Its continuous f2.8 aperture was a convincing argument in long zooms when CCDs were the only sensors you could get. But the BSI-CMOS sensor in my SH-50 compensates quite a bit at f6.9 (twice the reach of the Stylus 1).

The SP-820UZ was released in 2012 with a 14MP BSI CMOS sensor, using 4 AA cells. I like the combination of recent sensor design with a power supply that does not tie you to the power socket in a motel.

I have seen the first long zoom stills of the Panasonic ZS40/TZ60. They have blue haloes in some shots and fuzzy outlines in others. My SH-50 shows neither, so this is not a good time to jump brands. The ZS40 long zoom video of a mocking bird is clean though.

The SH-50 enables me to do videos and 12 full-res stills in them without stopping. Sandra now relies on this when I document her family functions. Comparing moon pictures with the SP-570UZ, there is more detail in the SH-50 shots without the use of the B-300 tele-converter. I just got a compliment on my gannet video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuPCYbGxR2g .

I record an annual lecture. The SH-50 reproduces a slide show without ants crawling over them, and with consistently intelligeable speech from the end of the room (combining the advantages of the Stylus 9010 and the SZ-30MR in a single package). The SH-50 does use Li-ions. You must charge her before recording video for an hour without interruption. But when it dies, it retracts its lens first.

The SP-100EE will be of interest to me if it comes without the design hiccups seen in the Stylus 1.

Henry

Thank you both Henry and Michael. The manner in which you broke out and explained the information helped tremendously and allowed me to understand the benefits and choices I had. I opted to go with the OM-D E-M10.

Although I like the portability of the compact, I decided at my age, it's time to get back into it and own a decent enthusiast camera. With your help it also made sense which lenses to buy etc.

Now, just waiting on delivery. The built in wifi was only one of many important feature for me, plus IMO, it's still small enough to carry even with an extra lens without worrying much about weight or space. But more importantly I expect the quality of the pictures to surely be better than what I am used to.

Truly appreciate your knowledge and responding with such great information to help me get off the fence and make a decision!

Thank you!! 

John

What you are looking for in this upgrade. Olympus makes mirrorless with smaller sensors. They have much better quality as the compacts you are talking about but lower than the larger sensor cameras (APS-C or Full frame). Based on your budget the full frame and higher class dSLRs or mirrorless are out. Therefore you can look at the cheaper offerings from Olympus micro four-thirds or entry level dSLRs. In dSLR game remained only 3 manufacturers (Canon, Nikon and Pentax). Their entry level with some flexible lenses are Canon 600D with 18-135 mm IS STM, Nikon D5100 with 18-105 mm VR or Pentax K-50 with 18-135 mm WR. Verify the prices in your country for these combos.

Olympus has some intersting offering like the one mentioned or Olympus E-PL5. Try to find a combo with something like 12-60 mm (I know that there is a four thirds lens but you can try to find a similar range even starting at 14 mm).

There are also mirrorless with larger sensors (like Sony A6000, Sony NEX, Fujifilm X or Samsung NX) out there to increase the confusion.

Whatever you buy enjoy and don't look back.

baloo_buc wrote:

Olympus has some intersting offering like the one mentioned or Olympus E-PL5. Try to find a combo with something like 12-60 mm (I know that there is a four thirds lens but you can try to find a similar range even starting at 14 mm).

There is the Olympus 12-50mm, Olympus 12-40mm (high end lens), Panasonic 12-35mm (high end lens), and Panasonic 12-32mm if you want the wide angle.  However, as I said, you cannot replicate the range of the SP-590UZ with a single lens.  In the micro 4/3rds arena. the best you can do to replicate the range with two lenses is a 12-50mm + 75-300mm or similar, which is $950 in lenses (plus the cost of the body).

There are 2 super-zoom lenses in the line up, the Olympus 14-150mm (normally $600, but Olympus America has a $100 off promotion right now) and the Panasonic 14-140mm (two versions, one $430 and the other $630), which are a little less wide angle, and a little more than 1/2 of the zoom range.  If you do want the telephoto range, you pretty much have to go with the Olympus 75-300mm or Panasonic 100-300mm, which are in the $500-550 range., plus the cost of your body and other lenses.

If the OP is willing to reduce the range of the camera dramatically, sure there are lots of options, but I suspect the OP bought the camera originally to get to that 676mm equvalent focal length.