Canon SX510 HS vs Olympus FE-45: A Practical Superzoom vs Compact Camera Showdown

In a world swimming with models and specs, choosing the right camera for your photography needs isn’t just about numbers - it’s about how a camera fits your style, budget, and goals. Today, I’m putting the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and Olympus FE-45 under the microscope, two compact cameras aimed at entry-level users and casual shooters, but each carving a distinct path in design and performance.

Having tested thousands of cameras over 15 years - covering everything from high-end rigs to budget-friendly compacts - I’ve developed an eye for subtle, real-world distinctions that go beyond glossy spec sheets. I’ll walk you through their strengths, shortcomings, and who each camera is truly for. Ready? Let’s dive into this Canon Olympus small sensor face-off.

Getting a Feel for These Cameras: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Right off the bat, size and handling diverge between these two units. The Canon SX510 HS is a small sensor superzoom, packing an impressive 30x zoom into a relatively compact body. Meanwhile, the Olympus FE-45 is a straightforward small sensor compact with a modest 3x zoom.

The Canon measures 104 x 70 x 80 mm and weighs in at 349 grams - not pocketable but still quite travel-friendly for such a zoom beast. It’s built with a rounded grip that fits nicely in the hand. Olympus, at 94 x 62 x 23 mm and a featherlight 142 grams, feels almost like a candy bar in your palm - easy to stash, quick to grab, and super discreet.

In practical terms, if you are sensitive to weight and are after something ultra-portable for casual street and travel snaps, the FE-45 wins by a country mile. On the other hand, if you want that long reach for wildlife or zoom-rich landscapes without lugging a DSLR, the Canon’s size is a fair tradeoff.

From an ergonomics standpoint, the Canon offers more conventional camera controls, including dedicated exposure modes like shutter priority and aperture priority. The Olympus opts for simplicity, targeting beginners with fewer manual options. For enthusiasts wanting clubs for their thumbs and ring fingers (metaphorically speaking), the Canon’s body design and button layout edge out ahead.

Control Layout and User Interface: Which Will Feel More Intuitive?

While size influences handling, control design impacts your shooting efficiency, especially when chasing decisive moments.

Canon’s top view reveals a traditional dial, zoom toggle on the shutter button, and several physical buttons - a boon for those who like tactile feedback. The FE-45 has a minimalist top plate - just a shutter release and zoom rocker.

Neither includes a viewfinder, which is pretty standard in this segment, but both have fixed LCDs on the back. More on that in a moment.

So, who wins the control finesse game? If you crave some exposure control and like hardware buttons over menus, Canon is the clear choice. But if you prefer simple point-and-shoot operation, Olympus’s minimalism might appeal.

Peeking Inside: Sensor Tech and Image Quality Considerations

Specs matter, but the devil’s in the details of sensor tech - the heart of image capture.

Both cameras use a 1/2.3-inch sensor, roughly 6.1 x 4.5 mm in physical size, which is quite small compared to APS-C or full-frame sensors. You’re essentially trading shallow depth and low-light performance for compactness and affordability.

• Canon SX510 HS: Features a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, complemented by the Digic 4 processor. CMOS sensors are generally more energy-efficient and faster than CCDs. It offers a native ISO up to 3200, good for moderate dim light shooting.

• Olympus FE-45: Sports a 10-megapixel CCD sensor - older tech today but once a fixture in low-cost compacts. Native ISO maxes out at 1600, reflecting more noise at high ISO levels.

In practice, the Canon delivers cleaner images at higher ISOs, better dynamic range, and more detail, particularly in daylight or controlled lighting. The Olympus struggles with noise creeping in early, which you feel when pushing the limits indoors or in shade.

If image fidelity - especially in casual portraits or travel landscapes - matters to you, Canon’s CMOS sensor pairs with its processing to eke out a noticeable upgrade. Olympus is acceptable for well-lit, simple snapshots but won’t win awards for image quality.

LCD Screens and Interface: How You Frame and Review Your Shots

Your screen is your window to creativity, and in tiny compacts, that screen still carries weight in usability.

Canon steps up with a bright 3-inch TFT color LCD at 461k dots resolution, which means sharp, vibrant previews and easier menu navigation. Olympus offers a smaller 2.5-inch screen at a lower 230k dots resolution, resulting in less detail and dimmer playback in bright sunlight.

Neither camera sports touchscreens or articulating displays - unsurprising for entry-level models - but the Canon screen’s size and clarity really help, especially when zoomed way in, or framing tricky compositions.

In my hands-on shooting, the Olympus display felt a bit cramped and less confidence-inspiring when checking critical focus. Canon’s visible improvement is subtle but meaningful for a user who wants to review images immediately without a computer backup.

Zoom and Optics: The Tale of Two Lens Systems

Here’s where these two cameras tell two different stories.

• Canon SX510 HS boasts a huge focal length range: 24–720 mm equivalent focal length. That’s a 30x zoom spanning wide-angle to super-telephoto - hard to beat in this class.

• Olympus FE-45 gives you a much shorter 36–108 mm (3x zoom), enough for casual portraits and moderate snaps, but not wild about distant subjects.

Canon’s lenses also feature optical image stabilization (OIS), a crucial tool to mitigate camera shake, especially at long focal lengths. Olympus relies on digital stabilization, which is less effective and often degrades image quality by cropping the frame.

Real-world: The Canon’s long zoom was a standout during casual wildlife and street photography outings, offering framing flexibility. Olympus’s limited zoom nudges you towards cropping in post, which reduces final image quality.

If your photography hinges on reach - say, capturing birds or sports from a distance - the Canon SX510 HS wins hands down.

Focusing Capabilities: How Quickly and Reliably Do They Nail the Shot?

Focus speed and accuracy can make or break candid moments.

• Canon employs a contrast-detection autofocus system with face detection, a single AF point, and basic continuous autofocus during live view. It even offers AF tracking, albeit limited.

• Olympus has simple contrast detection AF, without face detection or tracking.

In my timing tests, Canon locked focus noticeably faster and more consistently in natural lighting. Olympus’s hunting was apparent in low light or moving subjects, resulting in missed shots.

If your priorities include portraits or active scenes, Canon’s extra effort in AF tech pays dividends.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Range: Catching the Decisive Moment

Sports or action photographers know framerates matter.

Canon SX510 HS offers continuous shooting at 4 frames per second (fps), with shutter speeds ranging from 15 seconds to 1/1600s. These specs allow for some panning and creative motion freezes.

Olympus FE-45 lacks burst shooting modes and has a shutter speed range only from 4 seconds to 1/2000s. Interestingly, the FE-45’s top shutter speed is higher, but the absence of continuous shooting limits sports utility.

For street action or family sports, Canon’s 4 fps continuous burst is modest yet serviceable for casual use.

Video Performance: What Do They Bring to the Moving Picture Table?

If you think stills only, think again. Video often shapes buying decisions today.

• Canon SX510 HS records Full HD 1080p video at 24 fps, supports H.264 compression, and has an HDMI port for external monitoring. No microphone input, so audio control is basic.

• Olympus FE-45 is limited to VGA-resolution 640x480 video, at 30 or 15 fps, saved as Motion JPEG.

In my tests, Canon’s video output was impressively smooth and colorful given the class and vintage. Olympus video, however, looked dated and low-res - not suitable beyond trivial clips or casual home movies.

For vloggers, travel shooters, or mixed photo/video users, the SX510 HS offers far more creative latitude.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Shooting days aren’t always neat and tidy, so endurance matters.

Canon SX510 HS comes with a rechargeable NB-6LH battery, rated for approximately 250 shots per charge under CIPA standards. It stores images on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

Olympus FE-45 lacks manufacturer-claimed battery life info but relies on standard AA batteries or built-in storage paired with xD-Picture or microSD cards - somewhat inconvenient compared to Canon’s more modern SD-only ecosystem.

In field testing, the Canon’s battery life was sufficient for a day of casual shooting, though carrying a spare is wise for zoom-heavy work. Olympus’s AA batteries are easy to swap but less eco-friendly long-term.

Connectivity and Extras: Plugging Into Your Workflow

Connectivity is a frequent game-changer for modern photographers.

• Canon SX510 HS features built-in Wi-Fi for easy image transfer to phones and computers - especially convenient for on-the-go sharing or tethered shooting workflows.

• Olympus FE-45 has no wireless features, and lacks HDMI, limiting direct display or external device use.

Neither support raw shooting, which restricts post-processing flexibility - a bummer for pros but standard at this price point.

Putting It Through Its Paces: Real-World Photography Scenarios

Let’s see how both cameras align with typical photography genres.

Portraiture: Who Captures Skin Tones and Eyes Better?

Canon’s face detection autofocus aids focus locking on subjects. Combined with its wider aperture at 24mm (f/3.4), it renders a more pleasing bokeh and subject separation, even if modest. Skin tones appear natural thanks to Canon’s color science and processing.

Olympus struggles with autofocus precision on faces due to the lack of face detection and a narrower zoom range. Its sensor’s limited dynamic range and resolution means flatter colors and less detail.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Detail on Display

Canon’s 12MP CMOS sensor captures finer texture and better dynamic range, preserving shadow and highlight details. The long zoom provides versatile framing, from wide vistas to isolated mountain peaks.

Olympus’s lower resolution and CCD sensor yield more noise in shadow areas and less latitude for cropping or adjustments. Its limited zoom hampers composition options.

Wildlife: Tracking Motion at a Distance

Canon’s 30x zoom, optical stabilization, and AF tracking gave me a fighting chance photographing birds from afar. Burst mode at 4 fps allowed for some keeper frames of moving subjects.

Olympus’s limited zoom and sluggish AF meant I missed many action opportunities.

Sports: Tracking Fast-Moving Subjects

Canon’s continuous AF and burst modes help capture local sports games - for family use, certainly. Olympus isn’t designed for this genre at all.

Street and Travel: Discreet Shooting and Portability

Olympus’s tiny size and light weight excel here; it’s easy to slip into a pocket and shoot street scenes candidly. Canon is bulkier but still portable enough for travel, especially considering the zoom reach.

Macro Photography

Canon’s macro focus to 0 cm (effectively very close focusing) and optical stabilization offer more versatility shooting details. Olympus allows 5 cm minimum focus but lacks image stabilization quality.

Night and Astro Photography

Neither claims optimized night shooting, but Canon’s higher ISO ceiling and longer shutter speeds (up to 15 seconds) open the door for basic nightscapes or star trails. Olympus’s lower ISO max and limited shutter options limit usability in this domain.

Final Assessment: Strengths and Shortcomings Recap

Canon SX510 HS front Canon SX510 HS screen back Olympus FE 45 front Olympus FE 45 screen back

Genre-Specific Performance Analysis

The following summarizes where each camera performs best by genre:

Portrait, Landscape, Wildlife, and Travel favor Canon SX510 HS.

Street and casual snapshots lean toward Olympus FE-45 for portability.

Overall Performance and Ratings

After extensive side-by-side testing (shooting in varied light, indoors/outdoors, manual and auto modes), I assign these ratings:

• Canon PowerShot SX510 HS: 7.5 / 10
• Olympus FE-45: 5.0 / 10

The Canon stands out for versatility, optical performance, and usability, albeit at a higher price and size. The Olympus is a decent ultra-budget pocket camera for simple snaps.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Buy the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS if you:

• Want a massively versatile zoom range for wildlife, landscapes, or travel
• Value better image quality, dynamic range, and higher ISO usability
• Need manual control for creative photography
• Desire HD video with decent quality and connectivity options
• Can accept a slightly larger body and spend ~$250

Buy the Olympus FE-45 if you:

• Need a super compact, lightweight point-and-shoot for casual use
• Shoot mostly in good light and rarely need manual adjustments
• Are on a tight budget under $150
• Prefer ultra-simple operation with minimal buttons and menus
• Prioritize pocketability and low weight over zoom reach or video quality

Final Thoughts: Balancing Budget, Flexibility, and Performance

Having hands-on experience with both cameras, I find the Canon SX510 HS a more compelling choice for the aspiring enthusiast or casual wildlife/travel shooter seeking flexibility without breaking the bank. Its compromises are cleanly balanced against notable gains in image quality, controls, and zoom reach.

The Olympus FE-45 is a straightforward beginner camera, ideal for absolute cheapskates or those wanting a tiny device as a backup or straightforward point-and-shoot. But its dated sensor tech and weak zoom limit creative potential.

When budget and portability collide with photographic ambition, these cameras represent two very distinct answers. Choose wisely based on your priorities - and happy shooting!

If you enjoyed this deep dive or have specific shooting scenarios you want tested, drop me a line. After all, photography gear only gets better with hands-on experience and sharing the knowledge.