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Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-600 UZ

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Olympus SP-600 UZ front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
27
Overall
31

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-600 UZ Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Previous Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX30 IS
Olympus SP-600 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-420mm (F3.5-5.4) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Introduced February 2010
  • Previous Model is Olympus SP-590 UZ
  • Refreshed by Olympus SP-610UZ
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Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-600 UZ Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Canon SX20 IS and Olympus SP-600 UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the SP-600 UZ (12MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was manufactured 6 months after the SP-600 UZ and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SP-600 UZ being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SX20 IS grades against the SP-600 UZ in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Olympus SP-600 UZ

 SX20 IS SP-600 UZ 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-600 UZ over the Canon SX20 IS

 SP-600 UZ SX20 IS 
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Olympus SP-600 UZ

 SX20 IS SP-600 UZ 
IntroducedJuly 2010February 2010Similar generation
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-600 UZ Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS offers exterior measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Olympus SP-600 UZ has dimensions of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") with a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs).

See the Canon SX20 IS and Olympus SP-600 UZ in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the SX20 IS vs the SP-600 UZ.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-600 UZ size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and SP-600 UZ is 65 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-600 UZ top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-600 UZ Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions purely by checking technical specs. The picture underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX20 IS and SP-600 UZ.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution and you should expect similar quality of photos however you would want to take the production date of the products into consideration.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-600 UZ sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-600 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-600 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Olympus SP-600 UZ
37
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/500s)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
has manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
Olympus SP-600 UZ as a Street photography camera
49
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competition (600 grams)
36
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography advice
Olympus SP-600 UZ Sports photography advice
34
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
31
amazing zoom range (28-420mm 15.0 x zoom)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX20 IS
Travel photography with Olympus SP-600 UZ
53
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (600 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
great zoom (420mm)
does not have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography details
Olympus SP-600 UZ Landscape photography details
35
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
29
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging factors
Olympus SP-600 UZ Vlogging factors
50
decently wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than competition (600 grams)
20
really wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
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Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-600 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Olympus SP-600 UZ
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISOlympus SP-600 UZ
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Olympus SP-600 UZ
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-06 2010-02-02
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 TruePic III
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3968 x 2976
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 143
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-420mm (15.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.5-5.4
Macro focus range 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 1/2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m 3.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lbs) 455 grams (1.00 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $500 $189