• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon SX50 advantages over OM System OM-1

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $2200 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

OM System OM-1 advantages over Canon SX50

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    72 mm vs 105 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    3 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    120.0 fps vs 13.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    92 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

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Review Excerpt

  • 50x optical zoom with whopping 24-1200mm-equivalent reach; Excellent image quality for its class; 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD; Ergonomic design and controls; Improved image stabilization and Zoom Framing Assist; Shoots RAW; Full 1080p HD video.

  • Poor low-light AF performance; Image quality deteriorates at ISO 800 and above; Sluggish cycle times; Below average battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P600

Canon SX50
Nikon P600
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
OM System OM-1
Nikon P600
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon SX60

Canon SX50
Canon SX60
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
OM System OM-1
Canon SX60
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon P610

Canon SX50
Nikon P610
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
OM System OM-1
Nikon P610
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic G95

Canon SX50
Panasonic G95
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
OM System OM-1
Panasonic G95
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compared to Olympus E-M1 Mark III

Canon SX50
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $1699
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
OM System OM-1
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • Newer
  • Higher-res screen
  • $1699
  • 4/3
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