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Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ 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
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Old Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX240 HS
Olympus SP-590 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 413g - 116 x 84 x 81mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-600 UZ
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Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Canon SX230 HS and Olympus SP-590 UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the SP-590 UZ (12MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was brought out 2 years after the SP-590 UZ which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX230 HS being a Compact camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SX230 HS matches up vs the SP-590 UZ for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 SX230 HS SP-590 UZ 
ReleasedJuly 2011January 2009Newer by 31 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Canon SX230 HS

 SP-590 UZ SX230 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 SX230 HS SP-590 UZ 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX230 HS features outside dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Olympus SP-590 UZ has proportions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX230 HS and Olympus SP-590 UZ in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SX230 HS versus the SP-590 UZ.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX230 HS and SP-590 UZ is 91 and 72 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by checking specs. The image here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX230 HS and SP-590 UZ.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same resolution and you can expect similar quality of images however you might want to take the launch date of the products into consideration. The fresher SX230 HS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography features
Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography features
34
you can focus manually
features face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
36
focusing manually
exports RAW files
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Street photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (223g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Sports photography camera
36
excellent zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (210 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
38
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX230 HS
Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
61
lighter than others (223 grams)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great zoom (392mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (210 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
58
environment sealing
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography highlights
Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography highlights
41
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery power (210 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
45
focusing manually
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging features
Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging features
34
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (223g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic port
24
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external mic port
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Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSOlympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Company Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Olympus SP-590 UZ
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-07-19 2009-01-07
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3968 x 2976
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-392mm (14.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 8.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 223 grams (0.49 pounds) 413 grams (0.91 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2")
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 210 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $399 $249