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Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
Portability
69
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Key Specs

Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Later Model is Canon SX510 HS
Olympus SP-820UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-896mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 485g - 117 x 78 x 93mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Previous Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Updated by Olympus SP-820UZ
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Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Overview

Here, we are comparing the Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the SP-820UZ (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was announced within a month of the SP-820UZ and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summation of how the SX500 IS matches up versus the SP-820UZ with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 SX500 IS SP-820UZ 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Canon SX500 IS

 SP-820UZ SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Olympus SP-820UZ

 SX500 IS SP-820UZ 
AnnouncedAugust 2012August 2012Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS has got exterior dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Olympus SP-820UZ has specifications of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") and a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs).

Check the Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX500 IS vs the SP-820UZ.

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and SP-820UZ is 80 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading specs. The picture below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and SP-820UZ.

All in all, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Canon SX500 IS to offer you greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/1,600 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has face detection focusing
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
provides face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography advice
Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography advice
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
37
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition (485g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX500 IS
Sports photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
44
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 fps)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (195 shots)
has no phase detect AF
32
great zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
decent megapixels (14MP)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography info
Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography info
59
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery life (195 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
55
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (22mm)
very long reach (896mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (485g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
46
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery life (195 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
35
pretty wide (22mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging features
Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging features
28
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
25
pretty wide (22mm)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
no microphone support
more heavy than competition (485g)
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Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Olympus SP-820UZ
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISOlympus Stylus SP-820UZ
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-08-21 2012-08-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD 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 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 1 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 22-896mm (40.7x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.4-5.7
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 15.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/1600 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 341g (0.75 pounds) 485g (1.07 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7")
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 195 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $299 $299