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Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-100

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-100 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
  • Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX30 IS
Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Introduced January 2014
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Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-100 Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Canon SX20 IS versus Olympus SP-100, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Olympus. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and SP-100 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was revealed 4 years before the SP-100 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SX20 IS scores versus the SP-100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Olympus SP-100

 SX20 IS SP-100 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Canon SX20 IS

 SP-100 SX20 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2014July 2010More modern by 43 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Olympus SP-100

 SX20 IS SP-100 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-100 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX20 IS provides physical 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) and the Olympus SP-100 has sizing of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") and a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX20 IS versus Olympus SP-100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SX20 IS and the SP-100.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-100 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and SP-100 is 65 and 63 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-100 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes simply by seeing specs. The picture underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX20 IS and SP-100.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Olympus SP-100 to show extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography features
Olympus SP-100 Portrait photography features
37
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500 seconds)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
44
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
Olympus SP-100 as a Street photography camera
49
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (600 grams)
42
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than average in class (594g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography highlights
Olympus SP-100 Sports photography highlights
34
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
53
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SP-100 as a Travel photography camera
53
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
really wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (600g)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
53
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (1200mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (594g)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography information
Olympus SP-100 Landscape photography information
35
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
47
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging info
Olympus SP-100 Vlogging info
50
really wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (600 grams)
29
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone support
slow max aperture (f2.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (594 grams)
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Canon SX20 IS vs Olympus SP-100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Olympus SP-100
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISOlympus Stylus SP-100
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Olympus Stylus SP-100
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-06 2014-01-29
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/2.9-6.5
Macro focus range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 920k dots
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1700s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.80 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 pounds) 594 grams (1.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2")
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 - 330 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $500 $400