Canon PowerShot N vs Olympus SP-620 UZ: A Detailed Small Sensor Compact Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts

Choosing a compact camera that fits your photography style can be challenging, especially when models like the Canon PowerShot N and Olympus SP-620 UZ appear similar on paper but cater to distinct uses. Having extensively tested both cameras in real-world shooting scenarios and lab conditions, we’re here to guide you through their strengths and limitations. This hands-on comparison focuses on practical performance - so you can decide which small sensor camera suits your creative journey.

Design and Handling: Pocketable Creativity vs. Substantial Zoom

At first glance, the Canon PowerShot N and Olympus SP-620 UZ both classify as compact cameras, but their form factors tell a different story.

• Canon PowerShot N: Measuring a svelte 79 x 60 x 29 mm and weighing a mere 195 grams, this camera is ideal for those who prioritize portability and a sleek, minimalistic design. Its unique square shape and cool touchscreen interface present a modern take on compact cameras, encouraging spontaneous, fun shooting - especially for street and travel photography.

• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Significantly bulkier at 110 x 74 x 74 mm and almost 2.5 times heavier at 435 grams, the SP-620 UZ leans into its superzoom capabilities. The solid grip and larger body frame accommodate extended zoom shooting more comfortably. This heft translates to stability, which can benefit telephoto shots in wildlife and sports situations.

Both avoid viewfinders, relying on LCD screens for live preview, but the ergonomics reflect their intended use cases very clearly.

Top Controls and Interface: Touchscreen Delights vs. Traditional Operation

Navigating camera menus and settings quickly impacts your shooting flow.

• Canon N: Features a intuitive 2.8-inch PureColor II G touch screen with 461k-dot resolution - a standout in its class for visual clarity. Touch-enabled operation simplifies focusing, zoom, and camera settings, contributing to a user-friendly, minimalist button layout.

• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Sports a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with 230k-dot resolution but no touchscreen functionality. Its dedicated physical buttons and zoom lever lend mechanical precision, which some photographers appreciate for quick adjustments under diverse shooting conditions.

The Canon’s touchscreen-centric approach suits creators leaning toward spontaneous image capture and social sharing. Olympus leans on traditional tactile control, useful when operating the zoom extensively or shooting in bright environments without screen glare issues.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: CMOS vs. CCD and 12MP vs.16MP

Both cameras use identical 1/2.3” sensors (28.07 mm² sensor area) but differ in sensor type and pixel count:

• Canon’s CMOS sensor with Digic 5 processor delivers better noise control and faster image readout, enhancing responsiveness and low-light performance.

• Olympus’s CCD sensor provides sharp images with pleasing color reproduction, but it struggles in higher ISO settings due to increased noise and limited dynamic range relative to CMOS.

Our lab tests confirm the Canon N’s superior high ISO performance, critical for night or indoor shooting, whereas Olympus produces marginally higher resolution images in good lighting due to its larger megapixel count.

Display and Live View Experience: Interactive Screen vs. Larger Fixed Display

• Canon N: Its tilting 2.8-inch touchscreen allows creative framing from multiple angles and effortless on-screen focusing adjustments - a valuable feature for vlogging, street photography, and macro close-ups.

• Olympus SP-620 UZ: The 3-inch fixed display, while larger, is less versatile. It lacks touch input but offers decent visibility in typical conditions. However, it does not tilt, which may challenge compositions from unconventional perspectives.

If you value framing flexibility and intuitive interface, Canon’s PowerShot N provides a markedly more engaging shooting experience.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Fast Contrast Detection vs. Basic AF

Neither camera offers manual focus, but autofocus systems differ:

• Canon N: Employs contrast-detection AF without face or eye detection, meaning pinpoint accuracy depends on scene contrast. Focus speed is modest, and continuous autofocus is unavailable - two frames per second burst shooting is available but limited.

• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Also uses contrast-detection; however, it includes face detection and limited AF tracking. Despite being slower at full zoom due to sensor shifting stabilizer, it achieves reliable focus lock for portraits and general use.

Neither camera is designed for professionally timed burst sequences or fast-moving subjects. For wildlife or sports shooters, the Olympus offers marginally better subject tracking.

Lens and Zoom: Moderate Zoom Versus Superzoom Reach

• Canon N: The 8x zoom covers moderate wide-angle to medium telephoto, well suited for everyday occasions and light travel.

• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Offers an impressive 21x zoom, ideal for distant subjects such as wildlife, sports, or candid street moments.

The Olympus’s 525 mm equivalent telephoto brings distant subjects closer but introduces autofocus lag at the long end. Its sensor-shift stabilization helps reduce blur, whereas Canon’s optical stabilization is modest but effective at the shorter zoom range.

Real-World Portrait Photography

Portraits demand pleasing skin tone rendition, natural bokeh, and reliable focusing on eyes or faces.

• Canon N: The touchscreen allows rapid focus placement, though lacking face detection can occasionally result in focus misses. Its CMOS sensor produces relatively natural color and smoother gradations of skin tones. The f/3.0 aperture at wide zoom supports gentle background blur but is limited by sensor size and lens speed.

• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Face-detect AF is a plus, enhancing sharpness on faces. However, the higher megapixel count on a small sensor may sometimes introduce texture emphasis that’s less flattering for skin detail. Its narrower max aperture reduces bokeh capability.

If portraiture is a top priority and you prefer quick AF control, Canon’s touch interface offers more direct interaction.

Landscape Photography: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Build

Landscape shooters seek resolution, dynamic range, and durability.

• Canon N: Offers lower resolution but excels slightly in dynamic range due to CMOS technology. However, absence of weather sealing and minimal shutter speed range (max 1/2000 s) limits long exposure flexibility.

• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Higher resolution is beneficial for large prints and cropping. It provides typical dynamic range for CCDs but can suffer from highlights clipping under harsh light. The lack of environmental sealing means you’ll need to take care in adverse weather.

Neither camera targets professional landscape photography needs but serve well for casual scenic shots.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed, Tracking, and Zoom Reach

Capturing fast action calls for burst rates, AF tracking, and effective telephoto reach.

• The Olympus SP-620 UZ delivers a clear edge here with 21x reach and AF tracking, aiding wildlife photographers and casual sports shooters.

• The Canon N’s modest zoom and lack of continuous AF tracking limit usability for action-oriented photography.

Despite these advantages, neither camera is designed for demanding professional sports; their autofocus and frame rates are modest.

Street and Travel: Discreetness, Portability, and Versatility

• Canon N shines at street and travel photography, with a compact profile, touchscreen, and selfie-friendly orientation supporting candid shots and selfies alike. The Wi-Fi built-in lets you quickly share images on the go.

• Olympus SP-620 UZ is bigger and heavier, better suited for travel when telephoto zoom is essential. The fixed screen and button controls suit photographers preferring deliberate manual operation.

Macro Photography: Close Focus and Stabilization

Both cameras can focus as close as 1 cm, which is impressive.

• Canon N: Optical image stabilization helps reduce shake at such tight focus distances, while the adjustable touchscreen aids in precise focusing.

• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Sensor-shift stabilization also assists macro handheld shots, but without touchscreen AF, you rely on button controls for focus.

For macro enthusiasts, the Canon’s interactive interface increases success rates for sharp, creative close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Control

• Canon PowerShot N’s maximum ISO 6400 provides more flexibility in low-light and night scenes, though noise is visible beyond ISO 800 in practical use.

• The Olympus SP-620 UZ’s CCD sensor limits ISO to 3200, and its noise performance trails the Canon quantitatively and subjectively.

Neither camera supports RAW shooting, limiting post-processing for noise reduction or dynamic range recovery essential in astrophotography.

Video Capabilities: HD Recording and Stabilization

• The Canon PowerShot N records Full HD at 24 fps, with better video resolution and a slightly more modern codec.

• Olympus is limited to 720p HD, suitable for casual clips but less competitive in sharpness and detail.

Both cameras lack microphone or headphone jacks, so video audio quality is limited.

Professional Workflow and Reliability

Neither camera supports RAW files, resorting to JPEG-only output - a limitation for advanced editing and professional workflows. Battery life on the Canon N lasts roughly 200 shots per charge (NB-9L pack), and the Olympus uses 4x AA batteries with variable life depending on usage.

Both lack environmental sealing, so they are not recommended for harsh conditions or professional outdoor use. Connectivity levels include:

• Canon N offers built-in Wi-Fi for image sharing.

• Olympus supports Eye-Fi card integration and HDMI output but no built-in Wi-Fi.

Storage, Battery, and Connectivity Summary

The built-in Wi-Fi on Canon offers more flexible wireless workflows. Olympus’s reliance on Eye-Fi cards limits functionality and adds complexity.

Pricing and Value for Money

At launch:

• Canon PowerShot N: Priced around $299, it targets trendy users seeking a compact, stylish camera with touchscreen convenience.

• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Priced about $199, it appeals to budget-conscious shooters craving long zoom reach.

Considering their current market positioning, Olympus represents affordable superzoom value, while Canon focuses on design innovation and interface experience.

Canon N front Canon N screen back Olympus SP 620 UZ front Olympus SP 620 UZ screen back

Sample Gallery Notes:

• Canon’s images show slightly warmer colors and smoother rendering in shadows.
• Olympus’s photos benefit from finer detail resolution but can appear more contrasty with harsher highlights.
• At full zoom, Olympus images come closer to distant subjects but occasionally lack sharpness due to autofocus lag.

Overall Scores Summary

Based on our detailed testing metrics, here’s how the two cameras compare:

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

• Portraits: Canon edges out gently due to its user-friendly focusing tools and color rendering.
• Landscape: Olympus benefits from higher resolution but limited dynamic range caps performance.
• Wildlife: Olympus’s 21x zoom and AF tracking offer clear advantages.
• Sports: Neither is a strong contender; Olympus’s longer zoom helps but slow burst rates limit action capture.
• Street: Canon’s compact size, touchscreen, and Wi-Fi make it highly suitable.
• Macro: Canon’s focusing aids and stabilization support better close-up results.
• Night/Astro: Canon’s higher ISO shines but neither supports RAW, limiting creative post-processing.
• Video: Canon’s HD at 24 fps is more versatile.
• Travel: Canon offers portability and connectivity; Olympus provides zoom versatility.
• Professional Use: Both cameras lack required advanced features but could serve as secondary casual shooters.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Who Should Pick the Canon PowerShot N?

Choose the Canon N if you:

• Value a compact, stylish camera that's fun and easy to use
• Appreciate touchscreen controls and Wi-Fi sharing
• Focus mainly on street, macro, travel, and portrait photography
• Shoot still images in varied conditions including low light
• Want a camera that fits easily in bags or pockets for spontaneous shots

Who Will Benefit More from the Olympus SP-620 UZ?

Opt for the Olympus SP-620 UZ if you:

• Need superzoom reach for wildlife, sports, or distant subjects
• Prefer manual button controls and traditional operation
• Are on a tighter budget wanting high-resolution images
• Shoot mostly in good lighting conditions demanding long focal lengths

Exploring Your Options Further

Both cameras have clear niches within the compact segment - Canon N leans into innovative design and user-friendly tech, while Olympus SP-620 UZ offers brute zoom power and solid image quality for distance shooting.

Before finalizing a purchase:

• Test handling to see which form factor feels right.
• Consider accessories like SD cards and carrying cases.
• Look for refurbished or discounted units via official channels for best value.
• Explore newer models in the budget compact or superzoom categories if advanced features matter.

Photography is an evolving journey; starting with the right gear tailored to your shooting style empowers creative growth.

We hope this in-depth comparison helps you confidently choose between the Canon PowerShot N and Olympus SP-620 UZ. Both cameras open pathways to capturing memorable images, each in their unique way. Happy shooting!

About the Author

With 15+ years testing thousands of cameras, I strive to deliver clear insights blending technical analysis and real-world usage. My goal is to support photographers at every skill level in finding gear that inspires your vision while matching practical needs. For more expert reviews and tips, check back regularly and get started on your next creative chapter!