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Canon SX220 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ

Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon SX220 HS front
 
Olympus SP-590 UZ front
Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
38
Overall
36

Canon SX220 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Key Specs

Canon SX220 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • n/ag - 106 x 59 x 33mm
  • Revealed February 2011
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
  • Renewed by Olympus SP-600 UZ
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Canon SX220 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Canon SX220 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the SX220 HS (12MP) and the SP-590 UZ (12MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX220 HS was unveiled 2 years after the SP-590 UZ which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX220 HS being a Compact camera and the Olympus SP-590 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SX220 HS grades vs the SP-590 UZ for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX220 HS over the Olympus SP-590 UZ

 SX220 HS SP-590 UZ 
RevealedFebruary 2011January 2009Newer by 26 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-590 UZ over the Canon SX220 HS

 SP-590 UZ SX220 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX220 HS and Olympus SP-590 UZ

 SX220 HS SP-590 UZ 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX220 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX220 HS enjoys exterior dimensions of 106mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Olympus SP-590 UZ has sizing of 116mm x 84mm x 81mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.2") having a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs).

See the Canon SX220 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX220 HS vs the SP-590 UZ.

Canon SX220 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX220 HS and SP-590 UZ is 96 and 72 respectively.

Canon SX220 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ top view buttons comparison

Canon SX220 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading through a spec sheet. The picture underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX220 HS and SP-590 UZ.

As you can see, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same MP and you can expect similar quality of pictures although you have to take the launch date of the products into consideration. The younger SX220 HS provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX220 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ sensor size comparison

Canon SX220 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX220 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX220 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SP-590 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
38
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
provides face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
37
manual focus
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX220 HS Street photography features
Olympus SP-590 UZ Street photography features
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
60
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX220 HS Sports photography advice
Olympus SP-590 UZ Sports photography advice
36
incredible zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 shots)
no phase detect AF
38
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX220 HS Travel photography details
Olympus SP-590 UZ Travel photography details
60
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
very long reach (392mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
58
weather proof
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX220 HS Landscape photography info
Olympus SP-590 UZ Landscape photography info
42
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
46
manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX220 HS Vlogging info
Olympus SP-590 UZ Vlogging info
34
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
24
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic port
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Canon SX220 HS vs Olympus SP-590 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX220 HS and Olympus SP-590 UZ
 Canon SX220 HSOlympus SP-590 UZ
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Olympus
Model type Canon SX220 HS Olympus SP-590 UZ
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-02-07 2009-01-07
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3968 x 2976
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 8.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30,120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 413 gr (0.91 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 59 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.3" x 1.3") 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 210 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/ MMCplus/HC MMCplus xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $399 $249