Clicky

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(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
  • Revealed January 2016
Olympus SP-590 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon SX420 IS and Olympus SP-590 UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Olympus. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and SP-590 UZ (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

The SX420 IS was released 7 years after the SP-590 UZ which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SX420 IS matches up vs the SP-590 UZ with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 SX420 IS SP-590 UZ 
RevealedJanuary 2016January 2009Newer by 86 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Canon SX420 IS

 SP-590 UZ SX420 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 SX420 IS SP-590 UZ 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX420 IS provides physical dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Olympus SP-590 UZ has proportions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") with a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

See the Canon SX420 IS and Olympus SP-590 UZ in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX420 IS vs the SP-590 UZ.

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX420 IS and SP-590 UZ is 80 and 72 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specs. The image underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX420 IS and SP-590 UZ.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can anticipate the Canon SX420 IS to produce extra detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The younger SX420 IS provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX420 IS
Portrait photography with Olympus SP-590 UZ
44
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
comes with face detect focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
37
focusing manually
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Street photography highlights
Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography highlights
52
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Sports Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Sports photography factors
Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography factors
41
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
max fps low (0.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (195 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
38
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Travel Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Travel photography camera
61
good resolution (20MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (1008mm)
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (195 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
58
weather proof
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
47
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery pack (195 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
46
focusing manually
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Vlogging info
Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging info
29
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic support
24
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISOlympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Olympus SP-590 UZ
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-01-05 2009-01-07
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4+ -
Sensor type CCD 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 20MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 5152 x 3864 3968 x 2976
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 0.5 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 8.00 m
Flash options Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325 gr (0.72 pounds) 413 gr (0.91 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 116 x 84 x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 195 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-11LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $299 $249