Canon SX40 HS vs Olympus SZ-15

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Canon SX40 HS and Olympus SZ-15, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Olympus. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the SX40 HS (12MP) and SZ-15 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The SX40 HS was brought out 21 months before the SZ-15 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX40 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SX40 HS scores vs the SZ-15 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX40 HS & Olympus SZ-15. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX40 HS Gallery & Olympus SZ-15 Gallery.

If you are intending to carry your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX40 HS comes with external measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-15 has proportions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX40 HS and Olympus SZ-15 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SX40 HS vs the SZ-15.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX40 HS and SZ-15 is 64 and 88 respectively.

Quite often, it's tough to see the difference between sensor sizing just by checking technical specs. The visual here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX40 HS and SZ-15.

As you can tell, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Olympus SZ-15 to resolve greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older SX40 HS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.