Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SH-3
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


88 Imaging
41 Features
51 Overall
45
Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SH-3 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced July 2010
- Old Model is Canon SX10 IS
- Replacement is Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
- Introduced February 2016
- Old Model is Olympus SH-2

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SH-3 Overview
Here, we will be reviewing the Canon SX20 IS and Olympus SH-3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Olympus. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and SH-3 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX20 IS was revealed 6 years before the SH-3 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera.
Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SX20 IS matches up vs the SH-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SH-3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS & Olympus Stylus SH-3. The full galleries are provided at Canon SX20 IS Gallery & Olympus SH-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Olympus SH-3
SX20 IS | SH-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Canon SX20 IS
SH-3 | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2016 | ![]() | July 2010 | More modern by 68 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Olympus SH-3
SX20 IS | SH-3 |
---|
Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SH-3 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS offers physical dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Olympus SH-3 has dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).
See the Canon SX20 IS and Olympus SH-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the SX20 IS and the SH-3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and SH-3 is 65 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SH-3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes simply by going through a spec sheet. The pic here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and SH-3.
As you can see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Olympus SH-3 to show more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SH-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SH-3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Olympus Stylus SH-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Olympus |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Olympus Stylus SH-3 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2010-07-06 | 2016-02-08 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | TruePic VII |
Sensor type | CCD | 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 | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | f/3.0-6.9 |
Macro focus range | 0cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 11.5fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 6.80 m | 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/500s | - |
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) | 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 3840x2160 |
Video file format | H.264 | H.264 |
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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 600 grams (1.32 lbs) | 271 grams (0.60 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") | 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") |
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 pictures |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 4 x AA | LI-92B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $500 | $579 |