Canon SX60 HS vs Olympus SZ-10: The Ultimate Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

When hunting for a budget-friendly, small sensor superzoom camera in the used or bargain bin market, a couple of veterans often get tossed around: the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS and the Olympus SZ-10. Both cameras hail from respected Japanese brands and sit firmly in the compact superzoom class, yet they target subtly different shooters and photographic styles. I've spent weeks testing both cameras in a variety of scenarios ranging from portrait and travel to wildlife and night photography. In this detailed comparison, I’ll walk you through the real-world strengths and compromises of each, helping you decide which camera suits your needs, whether you’re a casual snapper hungry for extreme zoom reach or a more demanding hobbyist wanting better controls and image quality.

Getting Physical: Size, Handling & Ergonomics

Right out of the gate, these two cameras couldn’t be more different in size and handling philosophy. The Canon SX60 HS features a bold, SLR-style “bridge” body with deep handgrips and a wealth of external controls, whereas the Olympus SZ-10 is petite, pocketable, and minimalistic - more of a straight-shooter compact.

Canon SX60 HS: A Club for Thumbs

At 128 x 93 x 114 mm and tipping the scales at 650 grams, the SX60 HS is chunky but well balanced. It’s got the heft to feel sturdy without being unwieldy. The large rubberized grip, a variety of dials and buttons, plus a fully articulating 3-inch 922k-dot LCD screen, make it a joy to operate for longer sessions. If you like having dedicated controls for aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, Canon's layout invites rapid manual adjustments while shooting - a big plus when you get into evolving light or tricky scenarios.

Olympus SZ-10: Pocket Dynamo

The SZ-10 is a featherweight champion at just 215 grams and 106 x 67 x 38 mm. It slips easily into a jacket pocket, perfect for travel and everyday carry. However, it has only a fixed 3-inch 460k-dot LCD screen and notably lacks a viewfinder altogether. The button layout is vastly simplified with very few direct control dials, which makes operation straightforward but potentially frustrating if you want fine-tuned exposure control. This camera feels more like a grab-and-go companion for casual shooters.

Topside Controls and Layout: How You Command Your Shots

Control ergonomics can largely determine how quickly and comfortably you interact with a camera, especially when the moment is fleeting.

The SX60 HS’s top plate reveals cluster of dedicated dials and buttons: shutter speed/aperture ring, mode dial, exposure compensation, and a comfortable zoom toggle surrounding the shutter button. These are subtle but effective clubs for your thumbs when you need precision. The Olympus SZ-10, on the other hand, offers a single mode dial, zoom toggle, and shutter button, but no external dials for aperture or shutter speed, reflecting its simpler target user.

The Sensor Matters: Image Quality, Resolution, and Raw Capability

Under the hood, both cameras share a similar sensor size, but the Canon employs more advanced technology with better specs.

• Canon SX60 HS: Features a 1/2.3-inch 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor, DIGIC 6 processor, and supports RAW capture.
• Olympus SZ-10: Sports a 1/2.3-inch 14MP CCD sensor, TruePic III+ processor, and offers only JPEG output.

Why Sensor Tech and Raw Support Count

Though both sensors share the same physical size (roughly 6.17 x 4.55 mm), the Canon's BSI-CMOS sensor is more efficient at gathering light, which translates to better low-light performance, less noise at high ISO, and improved dynamic range. The DIGIC 6 image processor further enhances image quality and processing speed.

Moreover, the ability to shoot RAW files on the SX60 HS grants photographers critical post-processing flexibility - adjusting exposures, correcting white balance, and extracting more detail from shadows and highlights. The SZ-10’s JPEG-only workflow is a no-go for serious image editing.

Treated to Real-World Shooting Tests: How Do They Perform Across Genres?

Let’s take a lens through a broad spectrum of photographic use cases to see what these cameras can genuinely deliver.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

Portraiture demands accurate colors and subject isolation.

• Canon SX60 HS: Offers a reasonably fast lens (f/3.4–6.5) with a sprawling 65x zoom range. The lens can produce creamy bokeh at longer focal lengths, which helps isolate subjects. Face and eye detection autofocus performed reliably in daylight and moderate indoor lighting, aided by its 9-point autofocus system.
• Olympus SZ-10: Its 18x zoom lens (f/3.1–4.4) is brighter but shorter reach. With contrast-detection AF and fewer focus points, faces took longer to lock, and background blur was minimal, yielding more flat images.

If you want more control over aperture for skin softness and subject-background separation, Canon takes the win here.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Robustness

Landscape shooters prioritize resolution, dynamic range, and durability.

The SX60 HS’s sensor and 16MP resolution result in sharper, more detailed images with better preservation of shadow detail in high contrast scenes. Though neither camera has weather sealing, the Canon’s robust body feels more confidence-inspiring for outdoor use.

The SZ-10, while more portable on hikes, struggled with highlight clipping in high sunlight scenes and tended to produce flatter, noisier skies.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed, Burst Rates, and Telephoto Performance

Both wildlife and sports photography are demanding arenas, taxing autofocus and frame rate systems.

• Canon SX60 HS: Autofocus is contrast-based but smartly implemented, locking quickly and tracking subjects decently with continuous AF mode. Combined with a 6.4 fps burst rate, it offers decent chances to capture dynamic action. Its massive 1365mm equivalent zoom reaches way past the SZ-10’s capabilities, perfect for distant wildlife.
• Olympus SZ-10: Single-frame continuous shooting at a modest 1 fps and slower AF system mean more missed moments. The 504mm max zoom limit simply can’t pull in faraway subjects with the same authority.

For fast-moving subjects and long-range reach, the Canon stands flat-footed ahead.

Street Photography: Discreteness, Portability, and Low-Light Agility

Street shooters favor subtlety, lightness, and quick reaction.

The tiny SZ-10 excels portability-wise, disappearing in your bag or pocket and staying discreet during shoots. Canon's SX60 HS, while bulkier, offers a high-res articulating screen ideal for capturing candid angles. However, its slower maximum aperture at telephoto and noisier high-ISO images diminish low-light usability.

Macro Photography: Close-up Magnification and Precision Focusing

Macro lovers need close focusing distance and sharp detail.

The SZ-10 can focus as close as 1cm in macro mode, excellent for small subject details. The Canon lacks a dedicated macro range right down to zero centimeters but delivers respectable close-focus performance with decent detail. Stabilization on both aids handheld macro shooting.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Control

Shooting under stars or urban nightscapes pushes sensor low-light limits.

The SX60 HS gets the nod here with its higher max native ISO (6400 vs Olympus’s 1600) and logical support of manual shutter/aperture control allowing long exposures up to 15 seconds. The Canon’s BSI sensor also reduces noise in dim settings.

Olympus breaks down here - its limited ISO range, lack of manual exposure modes, and noisier CCD sensor show once the light punches out.

Video Capabilities: Resolutions and Usability

• Canon SX60 HS: Offers Full HD 1080p video at 60p with Stereo audio input (mic port). Optical image stabilization smooths handheld footage. Manual control in video mode gives creative freedom.
• Olympus SZ-10: Tops out at 720p. Lacks microphone input. Video files recorded in Motion JPEG, less efficient and lower quality.

If video is a priority, the Canon is clearly a better all-rounder.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

Travelers need a versatile package with enough stamina for long days.

Canon’s 650g body is heavier but versatile zoom range and articulating screen grant more shooting options. Battery life clocks at a respectable 340 shots per charge - acceptable for daily outings but take spare packs.

Olympus’ compactness and light weight are winning qualities for travelers who prioritize mobility above all else. Its battery life at 220 shots is a limitation but manageable with a charger handy.

Professional Work: Reliability, Files, and Workflow Integration

Neither camera is designed for professional-grade shoots, but let’s look at workflow considerations.

Canon’s RAW file support and more advanced controls permit integration into professional editing pipelines with greater flexibility. Its reliable build also inspires confidence for demanding assignments.

Olympus’s JPEG-only output and limited control restrict post-processing latitude, making it unsuitable for serious pros.

Under the Hood: Build Quality, Autofocus, and Connectivity

• Build & Weather Resistance: Both lack weather sealing. Canon’s bridge body feels sturdier under hand.
• Autofocus: Canon’s 9-point contrast AF with liveview face detection beats Olympus’s simpler contrast detection.
• Connectivity: Canon has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for sharing. Olympus relies on Eye-Fi card support but lacks Bluetooth.
• Storage & Battery: Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, single slots. Canon uses proprietary NB-10L battery with longer life; Olympus’s LI-50B is shorter-lived.

LCDs and Viewfinders: Composing and Reviewing Shots

Canon’s large fully articulated, high-res LCD and integrated electronic viewfinder (922k dots) vastly improve composing under sunlight and make shooting from awkward angles easier.

Olympus’s fixed 3-inch LCD is less bright and not articulated; it has no EVF, so bright outdoor shooting or precise framing can become a fudge.

Sample Gallery: A Real-World Image Comparison

Canon SX60 HS front Canon SX60 HS screen back Olympus SZ 10 front Olympus SZ 10 screen back

Analyzing raw captures and JPEGs side-by-side reveals:

• Canon images exhibit richer color depth, better sharpness especially at extended zoom, and stronger dynamic range.
• Olympus images appear softer with flatter contrast and more noise at high ISOs.
• Zoom range difference is apparent in wildlife and bird photos where Canon pulls detail from afar convincingly.

Scoring the Cameras: Overall and Genre-Specific Ratings

Canon clocks noticeably higher in wildlife, portrait, sports, landscape, and night photography, while Olympus trims some points in travel and street shooting thanks to its poorer controls but excellent portability.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

• Pros:
  • Massive 65x optical zoom lens
  • RAW shooting and advanced manual controls
  • Articulated high-res LCD + electronic viewfinder
  • Better image quality and low light performance
  • Decent battery life and weather-resistant feel
  • Wifi and NFC connectivity
• Cons:
  • Bulky and relatively heavy
  • Lens max aperture is slow at telephoto
  • Older USB 2.0 port
  • No GPS or headphone jack

Olympus SZ-10

• Pros:
  • Ultra-lightweight and pocket-sized
  • Decent zoom reach for size (18x)
  • Easy to use for beginners
  • Built-in sensor-shift image stabilization
  • Built-in flash with extended range
• Cons:
  • Lower image quality and CCD sensor noise
  • No RAW support or manual exposure
  • Slower autofocus and frame rate
  • Fixed LCD with lower resolution
  • Limited video capabilities
  • No viewfinder or mic input

Who Should Buy Which?

If you’re a travel-loving enthusiast or professional hobbyist who wants the flexibility to shoot everything from wildlife to portraits - especially when manual control and image quality matter - the Canon SX60 HS is the better investment. Its zoom reach is exceptional, and it offers the customized control that lets you push your photography further, while still being affordable.

If you’re a casual shooter or cheapskate on a tight budget who prioritizes size and ease of use, and you mainly shoot daylight travel snaps or family gatherings, the Olympus SZ-10 is a cute little unit that won’t break the bank or your back. Just temper expectations on image quality and advanced features.

Final Thoughts: Picking the Best Tool for Your Vision

I’ve tested both these cameras extensively, dialing in settings across multiple conditions and genres. While the Olympus SZ-10 makes a strong case for light, point-and-shoot convenience, its compromises are significant. The Canon SX60 HS - though released a few years later - is simply a more well-rounded tool that can still surprise you with its reach and image fidelity.

Look at your priorities carefully. If ultimate zoom range and creative control count, Canon’s 65x superzoom bridge camera feels like a worthy companion. If carrying something tiny for casual use is your top priority, Olympus’s compact SZ-10 has its appeal.

Either way, these two cameras underscore how compact superzooms evolved before mirrorless systems took over. And if you’re into long lenses at a budget, either makes a good starter or back-up camera with distinct personalities.

Until your next gear upgrade - happy shooting, and may the right zoom be with you!

Disclaimer: All opinions and scores reflect extensive hands-on testing and comparisons matched closely with industry standards such as DxOMark ratings where available.