Canon SX40 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ
64 Imaging
35 Features
50 Overall
41


72 Imaging
34 Features
38 Overall
35
Canon SX40 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
- 600g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
- Announced September 2011
- Superseded the Canon SX30 IS
- Later Model is Canon SX50 HS
(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
- Successor is Olympus SP-600 UZ

Canon SX40 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview
Here, we will be reviewing the Canon SX40 HS and Olympus SP-590 UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the SX40 HS (12MP) and the SP-590 UZ (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX40 HS was manufactured 2 years later than the SP-590 UZ and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SX40 HS scores versus the SP-590 UZ when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX40 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX40 HS & Olympus SP-590 UZ. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX40 HS Gallery & Olympus SP-590 UZ Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Olympus SP-590 UZ
SX40 HS | SP-590 UZ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | September 2011 | ![]() | January 2009 | More recent by 33 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Canon SX40 HS
SP-590 UZ | SX40 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX40 HS and Olympus SP-590 UZ
SX40 HS | SP-590 UZ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen size | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Same screen measurement |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX40 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison
If you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX40 HS provides external dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Olympus SP-590 UZ has specifications of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") and a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).
Check the Canon SX40 HS and Olympus SP-590 UZ in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view size comparison of the SX40 HS against the SP-590 UZ.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX40 HS and SP-590 UZ is 64 and 72 respectively.

Canon SX40 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements purely by seeing a spec sheet. The visual here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX40 HS and SP-590 UZ.
As you can see, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of files however you would want to consider the age of the cameras into account. The more recent SX40 HS provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX40 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS | Olympus SP-590 UZ | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX40 HS | Olympus SP-590 UZ |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2011-09-15 | 2009-01-07 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3968 x 2976 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-840mm (35.0x) | 26-676mm (26.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.7-5.8 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focusing range | 0cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.7 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | PureColor II VA TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 15 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m | 8.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/2000 secs | - |
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 data format | MPEG-4, 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 | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 600 gr (1.32 pounds) | 413 gr (0.91 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") | 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 380 photos | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-10L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (12 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $330 | $249 |