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Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus FE-5020

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Olympus FE-5020 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus FE-5020 Key Specs

Canon SX230 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 223g - 106 x 62 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Older Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX240 HS
Olympus FE-5020
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 24-120mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 137g - 93 x 56 x 25mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Alternative Name is X-935
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Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus FE-5020 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Canon SX230 HS versus Olympus FE-5020, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the FE-5020 (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was introduced 2 years later than the FE-5020 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SX230 HS grades versus the FE-5020 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Olympus FE-5020

 SX230 HS FE-5020 
RevealedJuly 2011July 2009More recent by 25 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus FE-5020 over the Canon SX230 HS

 FE-5020 SX230 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Olympus FE-5020

 SX230 HS FE-5020 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus FE-5020 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX230 HS provides physical measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Olympus FE-5020 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 137 grams (0.30 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX230 HS versus Olympus FE-5020 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SX230 HS against the FE-5020.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus FE-5020 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and FE-5020 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus FE-5020 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus FE-5020 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements simply by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX230 HS and FE-5020.

Clearly, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of files but you should consider the production date of the cameras into account. The newer SX230 HS will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus FE-5020 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus FE-5020 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus FE-5020 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography features
Olympus FE-5020 Portrait photography features
34
focusing manually
has face detect focus
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
20
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography info
Olympus FE-5020 Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (223 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
59
environment proof
lighter than competitors (137 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography info
Olympus FE-5020 Sports photography info
36
amazing zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
24
environment proof
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/500 seconds)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Travel photography camera
Olympus FE-5020 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competitors in class (223g)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
long zoom (392mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
lighter than competitors (137g)
environment proof
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography factors
Olympus FE-5020 Landscape photography factors
41
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
31
quite wide (24mm)
environment proof
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Vlogging camera
Olympus FE-5020 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (223 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
28
quite wide (24mm)
lighter than competitors (137 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus FE-5020 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Olympus FE-5020
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSOlympus FE-5020
General Information
Make Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Olympus FE-5020
Alternate name - X-935
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-07-19 2009-07-22
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology TruePic III
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3968 x 2976
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 4.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 223 grams (0.49 lbs) 137 grams (0.30 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 93 x 56 x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-5L LI-42B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus xD-Picture Card, microSD
Storage slots One One
Retail price $399 $160