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Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SH-1

Portability
64
Imaging
33
Features
53
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SH-1 Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Released March 2009
Olympus SH-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Introduced March 2014
  • New Model is Olympus SH-2
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Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SH-1 Overview

Following is a comprehensive review of the Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SH-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Olympus. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and SH-1 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX1 IS was manufactured 6 years earlier than the SH-1 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SH-1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SX1 IS grades versus the SH-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Olympus SH-1

 SX1 IS SH-1 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-1 over the Canon SX1 IS

 SH-1 SX1 IS 
IntroducedMarch 2014March 2009More modern by 61 months
Display size3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Olympus SH-1

 SX1 IS SH-1 

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SH-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX1 IS comes with outside dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) whilst the Olympus SH-1 has proportions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Check the Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SH-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SX1 IS vs the SH-1.

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SH-1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX1 IS and SH-1 is 64 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SH-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SH-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes purely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture below will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX1 IS and SH-1.

As you can see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus SH-1 to render more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SH-1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SH-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SH-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX1 IS
Portrait photography with Olympus SH-1
46
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
37
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Street photography details
Olympus SH-1 Street photography details
56
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than others (615 grams)
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has focus via touch
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SH-1 as a Sports photography camera
33
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
51
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (380 shots)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX1 IS
Travel photography with Olympus SH-1
52
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
reasonably wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others (615g)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
74
better than average battery power (380 shots)
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
has focus via touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Landscape photography features
Olympus SH-1 Landscape photography features
44
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
nice screen size (2.8 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
49
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging factors
Olympus SH-1 Vlogging factors
57
reasonably wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than others (615 grams)
37
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic jack
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SH-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Olympus SH-1
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISOlympus Stylus SH-1
General Information
Make Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Olympus Stylus SH-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-03-27 2014-03-31
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 0cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.8 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m -
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 615g (1.36 lb) 271g (0.60 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 380 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots One One
Retail price $600 $349