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Canon SX160 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
86
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35

Canon SX160 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs

Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 291g - 111 x 73 x 44mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon SX150 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX170 IS
Olympus SP-590 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 413g - 116 x 84 x 81mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Successor is Olympus SP-600 UZ
Photography Glossary

Canon SX160 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

Below, we are comparing the Canon SX160 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Olympus. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and SP-590 UZ (12MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was released 4 years later than the SP-590 UZ and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SX160 IS matches up against the SP-590 UZ in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 SX160 IS SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedJune 2013January 2009Fresher by 55 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Canon SX160 IS

 SP-590 UZ SX160 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 SX160 IS SP-590 UZ 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX160 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX160 IS has physical dimensions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") having a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) whilst the Olympus SP-590 UZ has dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX160 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the SX160 IS versus the SP-590 UZ.

Canon SX160 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and SP-590 UZ is 86 and 72 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph below may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX160 IS and SP-590 UZ.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can anticipate the Canon SX160 IS to give you more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The more modern SX160 IS should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon SX160 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography information
Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography information
46
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
36
manual focus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography factors
Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography factors
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (291 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
59
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
50
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features tracking focus
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography features
Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography features
68
better than average battery life (380 shots)
lighter than competition (291g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
long reach (448mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
58
environment proof
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography advice
Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography advice
51
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
45
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging features
Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging features
31
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (291 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
24
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
missing microphone socket
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Canon SX160 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISOlympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Olympus SP-590 UZ
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-06-21 2009-01-07
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3968 x 2976
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 8.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 291 gr (0.64 lb) 413 gr (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 photos -
Type of battery AA -
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $199 $249