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Canon SX240 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
34
Features
38
Overall
35

Canon SX240 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs

Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 224g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Superseded the Canon SX230 HS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX260 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
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Renewed by Olympus SP-600 UZ
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Canon SX240 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon SX240 HS versus Olympus SP-590 UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the SX240 HS (12MP) and the SP-590 UZ (12MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX240 HS was announced 3 years after the SP-590 UZ which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX240 HS being a Compact camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SX240 HS matches up vs the SP-590 UZ in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX240 HS over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 SX240 HS SP-590 UZ 
RevealedFebruary 2012January 2009More modern by 38 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Canon SX240 HS

 SP-590 UZ SX240 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX240 HS and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 SX240 HS SP-590 UZ 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SX240 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX240 HS provides outside dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Olympus SP-590 UZ has measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check the Canon SX240 HS versus Olympus SP-590 UZ in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the SX240 HS compared to the SP-590 UZ.

Canon SX240 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX240 HS and SP-590 UZ is 91 and 72 respectively.

Canon SX240 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Canon SX240 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by checking a spec sheet. The pic underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX240 HS and SP-590 UZ.

As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution and you can expect similar quality of pictures but you may want to consider the age of the products into consideration. The younger SX240 HS is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX240 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Canon SX240 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX240 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Portrait photography highlights
Olympus SP-590 UZ Portrait photography highlights
37
you can focus manually
features face detection focusing
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
36
has manual focus
supports RAW files
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Street photography details
Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (224g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
59
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Sports photography details
Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography details
36
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
slow fps (2.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
38
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX240 HS
Travel photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
61
lighter than competition (224 grams)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery life (230 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
58
environment proofing
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Landscape photography features
Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography features
41
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery life (230 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
45
has manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Vlogging advice
Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging advice
34
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (224g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
24
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external mic support
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Canon SX240 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX240 HS and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Canon PowerShot SX240 HSOlympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SX240 HS Olympus SP-590 UZ
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-02-07 2009-01-07
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 -
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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3968 x 2976
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
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 detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 8.00 m
Flash options 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 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (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 support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 224 gr (0.49 lbs) 413 gr (0.91 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 61 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 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 230 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $0 $249