Clicky

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-610UZ

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Olympus SP-610UZ front
Portability
79
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-610UZ Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • New Model is Canon SX30 IS
Olympus SP-610UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-616mm (F3.3-5.7) lens
  • 405g - 107 x 73 x 73mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
  • New Model is Olympus SP-620 UZ
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-610UZ Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Canon SX20 IS versus Olympus SP-610UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the SP-610UZ (14MP) is very well matched and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SX20 IS was revealed 6 months earlier than the SP-610UZ so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SP-610UZ being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SX20 IS scores vs the SP-610UZ in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Olympus SP-610UZ

 SX20 IS SP-610UZ 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-610UZ over the Canon SX20 IS

 SP-610UZ SX20 IS 
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Olympus SP-610UZ

 SX20 IS SP-610UZ 
ReleasedJuly 2010January 2011Similar age
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-610UZ Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS enjoys outer dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Olympus SP-610UZ has dimensions of 107mm x 73mm x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") along with a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX20 IS versus Olympus SP-610UZ in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SX20 IS against the SP-610UZ.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-610UZ size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and SP-610UZ is 65 and 79 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-610UZ top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-610UZ Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by checking specs. The picture below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and SP-610UZ.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus SP-610UZ to resolve extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-610UZ sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-610UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-610UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography highlights
Olympus SP-610UZ Portrait photography highlights
37
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/500 seconds)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
28
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX20 IS
Street photography with Olympus SP-610UZ
49
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than competition (600 grams)
50
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX20 IS
Sports photography with Olympus SP-610UZ
34
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
39
great zoom range (28-616mm 22.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography factors
Olympus SP-610UZ Travel photography factors
53
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
quite wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (600g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great zoom (616mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SP-610UZ as a Landscape photography camera
35
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
40
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SP-610UZ as a Vlogging camera
50
quite wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic jack
heavier than competition (600g)
26
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-610UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Olympus SP-610UZ
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISOlympus SP-610UZ
General Information
Company Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Olympus SP-610UZ
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-06 2011-01-06
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 dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-616mm (22.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-5.7
Macro focus range 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 600g (1.32 lbs) 405g (0.89 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 107 x 73 x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9")
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 life - 340 photographs
Form of battery - AA
Battery model 4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $500 $299