Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SZ-15
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


88 Imaging
40 Features
50 Overall
44
Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Key Specs
(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
- Succeeded the Canon SX10 IS
- Successor is Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
- Introduced June 2013

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Overview
The following is a thorough assessment of the Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SZ-15, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Olympus. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and SZ-15 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX20 IS was manufactured 4 years earlier than the SZ-15 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera.
Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief view of how the SX20 IS grades versus the SZ-15 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and Olympus SZ-15. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX20 IS Gallery and Olympus SZ-15 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Olympus SZ-15
SX20 IS | SZ-15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Canon SX20 IS
SZ-15 | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2013 | ![]() | July 2010 | Newer by 36 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Olympus SZ-15
SX20 IS | SZ-15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX20 IS enjoys outside dimensions 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 SZ-15 has proportions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX20 IS versus the SZ-15.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and SZ-15 is 65 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The image underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and SZ-15.
As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus SZ-15 to provide you with extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Olympus SZ-15 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Olympus |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Olympus SZ-15 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2010-07-06 | 2013-06-21 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
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 | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 23-483mm (21.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 0cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | - | LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 6.80 m | 3.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/500s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264 | AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 600 gr (1.32 lbs) | 250 gr (0.55 lbs) |
Dimensions | 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") |
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 | SLB-10A |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $500 | $200 |