• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot A590 IS
  • Olympus PEN E-PL2
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A590 IS E-PL2
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $179.99 $599.99
Street Price: $219.00  
Date Available: 2008-03-30 2011-01-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.8 oz (221 g)
includes batteries
16.8 oz (476 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 3.7 x 2.6 x 1.6 in.
(94 x 66 x 41 mm)
4.5 x 2.9 x 1.7 in.
(115 x 73 x 42 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 8.0 12.3
Sensor Format: 1/2.5 inch 4/3
Sensor size: 24.7104mm2 (5.76mm x 4.29mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.76 microns 4.29 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type:   RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   55
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   21.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   10.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   573
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 1832 (6.0 MP, 16:9),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4032 x 3042 (12.3 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.2), RAW (.ORF)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.0 3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (20)
320x240 (30)
160x120 (15)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) AVI (Motion JPEG)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Micro Four Thirds
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens (7 elements in 5 groups, 2 aspherical) M.Zuiko MSC Digital ED m14-42mm f3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 35 - 140mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 5.8 - 23.2mm 14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.6 (wide) / f/5.5 (tele) - f/8.0 f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 45 cm
2.0 - 17.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: up to 4x n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9- or 1-point Contrast Detect with Face Detect 11-point contrast detection w/ tracking
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom Optional EVF
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 115,000 dots 460,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, High ISO Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Auto (200 - 6400), 200 - 6400 (1/3, 1 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent 1/2/3, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Custom WB, One-touch WB
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot Metering (frame is fixed to the center), Face Detect 324-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot (with Highlight/Shadow mode)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Easy mode, Portrait, Landscape, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Night Scene, Sunset, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium 22 Scene Modes; 6 Art Filters (can be combined)
Self Timer: 1 to 30 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Flash On, Flash Off TTL-Auto, Auto, Manual, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 11 ft./3.5m (W), 7.2 ft./2.2m (T) Depends on lens aperture
Max Flash Sync: 1/500 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW (.ORF)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) AVI (Motion JPEG)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional Cable Release
Connections (extended): DC Input Accessory Port II, Multi Connector (USB/AV), Mini HDMI (Type C), Cable Release
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.98 1.03
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   1.01
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.0 3.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 14
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.51 seconds 0.43 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.70 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.260 seconds 0.248 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.92 seconds 0.62 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.068 seconds 0.068 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   11-area full AF lag: 0.461
Startup Time: 1.9 seconds 1.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.3 seconds 0.8 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 10.5 seconds 2.7 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 450 shots (NiMH AA) 280 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 2 x AA Proprietary BLS-5
Usable Battery Types: Alkaline disposable, NiMH rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 2 x AA Alkaline disposables Proprietary BLS-5 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser, PhotoStitch, Drivers OLYMPUS Master 2 Software CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, MacOS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS); Motion Detection technology consolidates motion information for both the camera and the photographic subject and determines whether the subject has moved and what if any adjustments to focus or exposure needs to be made; Hi-ISO Auto function that works together with Motion Detection Technology to reduces the effect of blur in low light shooting situations by automatically changing and balancing the ISO sensitivity along with the shutter speed. Changes from E-PL1: Updated body, bundled with new 14-42mm MSC lens, Live Guide II, 6 Art Filters: Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy, Pin, Diorama, Dramatic Tone, 3" 460K-dot LCD, Support for SDXC cards, Top Shutter Speed now 1/4000s, Top ISO now 6400, Face Detection with new Eye Detect, 22 Scene Modes, Accessory Port 2, BLS-5 Battery. Available in black, white, silver and red.