• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX1 IS advantages over Olympus SP-100

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    87 mm vs 133 mm
    Thinner
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    14 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus SP-100 advantages over Canon SX1 IS

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 560 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    11 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.59 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.3 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX1 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SP-100
Olympus SP-100
All SP-100 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX10 IS

Canon SX1 IS
Canon SX10 IS
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX10 IS

Olympus SP-100
Canon SX10 IS
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Canon SX10 IS

Compared to Sony DSC-HX1

Canon SX1 IS
Sony DSC-HX1
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SX1 IS vs Sony DSC-HX1

Olympus SP-100
Sony DSC-HX1
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Sony DSC-HX1

Compared to Canon SX20 IS

Canon SX1 IS
Canon SX20 IS
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX20 IS

Olympus SP-100
Canon SX20 IS
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Canon SX20 IS

Compared to Fujifilm SL1000

Canon SX1 IS
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX1 IS vs Fujifilm SL1000

Olympus SP-100
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Compared to Panasonic FZ70

Canon SX1 IS
Panasonic FZ70
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FZ70

Olympus SP-100
Panasonic FZ70
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ70

Compare Other Cameras?