Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Let's look a little more closely at the Canon SX500 IS and Olympus SP-590 UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and SP-590 UZ (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX500 IS was manufactured 3 years after the SP-590 UZ which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the SX500 IS matches up against the SP-590 UZ in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Olympus SP-590 UZ. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Olympus SP-590 UZ Gallery.

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX500 IS has got physical dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Olympus SP-590 UZ has dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX500 IS and Olympus SP-590 UZ in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the SX500 IS compared to the SP-590 UZ.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and SP-590 UZ is 80 and 72 respectively.

Often, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading through specifications. The pic below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and SP-590 UZ.

Plainly, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Canon SX500 IS to give more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more modern SX500 IS will have an advantage in sensor technology.