Head to Head: Olympus SP-590 UZ vs. Nikon Coolpix P90

Both the Olympus SP-590 UZ and the Coolpix P90 offer the best of what the ultrazoom category can offer. But which one will offer the best value at nearly the same price point? Read on for a breakdown of how these two cameras match up across a wide range of criteria.

Sophistication and Style
Taking a look at the SP-590 UZ and the P90 head-on, the similarities in their appearances are obvious. They're both cut from the same DSLR-like cloth. Both offer a deep handgrip covered in a tacky, non-slip material. They're both classic black, and only available in that color. Though they mimic the build of an SLR, they're both quite a bit more compact than one.

The style differences are subtle. The Olympus lens is accented in metallic silver, the Nikon lens is mostly black. The pop-up flash on the SP-590 gives the camera a little bit more height than the P90 as well as a more rounded look.

More differences appear on the back panel. The Olympus has a few more buttons clustered around the four-way controller, but they both adhere to the same basic control layout. The plastic molding around the Olympus's LCD is more angular, the Nikon is a little more rounded.

Nikon Coolpix P90

Olympus SP-590 UZ

DCR Contributor Jim Keenan, who reviewed both cameras, noticed a small amount of play in the lenses of both cameras. He points out that the problem is a bit less prominent in the P90. Overall, though, he liked the ergonomics of both cameras and thought they felt secure and steady. Judging only on looks, though, I favor the more simplistic, understated aesthetic of the Nikon Coolpix P90.

Based on http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/