Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SH-50
80 Imaging
46 Features
34 Overall
41


88 Imaging
39 Features
48 Overall
42
Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SH-50 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
- 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
- Launched January 2016
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 269g - 112 x 63 x 42mm
- Released January 2013

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SH-50 Overview
In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SH-50, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Olympus. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and SH-50 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX420 IS was released 3 years after the SH-50 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SH-50 being a Compact camera.
Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX420 IS grades versus the SH-50 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SH-50 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX420 IS & Olympus SH-50. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX420 IS Gallery & Olympus SH-50 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Olympus SH-50
SX420 IS | SH-50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2016 | ![]() | January 2013 | Newer by 37 months |
Reasons to pick Olympus SH-50 over the Canon SX420 IS
SH-50 | SX420 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Olympus SH-50
SX420 IS | SH-50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SH-50 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX420 IS offers external dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Olympus SH-50 has proportions of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SH-50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX420 IS against the SH-50.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX420 IS and SH-50 is 80 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SH-50 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX420 IS and SH-50.
As you can tell, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Canon SX420 IS to offer extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern SX420 IS provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SH-50 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SH-50 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Olympus SH-50 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Olympus |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Olympus SH-50 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2016-01-05 | 2013-01-08 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC 4+ | TruePic VI |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-1008mm (42.0x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-6.6 | f/3.0-6.9 |
Macro focus range | 0cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 15s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 0.5fps | 12.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 4.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 325 gr (0.72 lb) | 269 gr (0.59 lb) |
Dimensions | 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") | 112 x 63 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") |
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 | 195 photos | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-11LH | SLB-10A |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $299 | $300 |