Olympus SZ-11 vs Canon PowerShot A480

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480
      53
      Image cannot be found
      42
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Olympus SZ-11 and the Canon PowerShot A480, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Olympus SZ-11 was introduced in July 2011 and Canon PowerShot A480 was introduced in January 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Olympus SZ-11 Highlights

      • 14 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • 7.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Canon PowerShot A480 Highlights

      • 10 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 5 Focus Points
      • 2.50" 115k dot Fixed Screen
      • 0.8 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 640 x 480 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Olympus SZ-11
      4. Advantage of Canon PowerShot A480
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus SZ-11 and Canon PowerShot A480.

      PROS

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Light - 140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz)
      •   Internal Storage

      CONS

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   5 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"

      Advantage of Olympus SZ-11

      Olympus SZ-11
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus SZ-11 over Canon PowerShot A480.

      Olympus SZ-11 vs Canon PowerShot A480
      Higher Sensor Resolution 14 Megapixel vs 10 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 4288 x 3216 vs 3648 x 2736
      Multi Area Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Reaches Wider Angle 25 mm vs 37 mm
      Reachs More Telephoto 500 mm vs 122 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 20x vs 3.3x
      Image Stabilization vs
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.50"
      Higher Resolution Screen 460k dot vs 115k dot
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 7.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
      AF-Area Metering vs
      Higher Video Resolution 1280 x 720 vs 640 x 480
      Speaker Mono vs
      Internal Storage 59 MB vs 32 MB

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus SZ-11.

      Olympus SZ-10
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      14 MP

      Olympus SZ-12
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      14 MP

      Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Olympus SZ-15
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Olympus SZ-30MR
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Olympus FE-4030
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      14 MP

      Canon R100
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Pentax W80
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      12.10 MP

      Canon D30
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Olympus TG-860
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon SD990 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/1.7-inch

      14.7 MP

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot A480

      Canon A480
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot A480 over Olympus SZ-11.

      Olympus SZ-11 vs Canon PowerShot A480
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/6.9 vs f/5.8
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 4 sec vs 15 sec
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Built-in Microphone Mono vs Stereo
      Lighter 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz) vs 140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot A480.

      Canon A495
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      10 MP

      Canon A490
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      10 MP

      Canon A810
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16.0 MP

      Canon A800
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      10 MP

      Sigma sd Quattro H
      Image cannot be found

      APS-H

      44.8 MP

      Nikon Z50
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Sony a6400
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon R50
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon Rebel SL1
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon R8
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Canon R10
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon 7D II
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Olympus SZ-11 Canon PowerShot A480
        Video Capture
        Low Native ISO8080
        High Native ISO1,6001,600
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
        Light226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz)
        Internal Storage59 MB32 MB
      WEAKNESSES Olympus SZ-11 Canon PowerShot A480
        Small Sensor1/2.3-inch1/2.3-inch
        Low Resolution Sensor14 Megapixel10 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen460k dot115k dot
        No Viewfinder
        Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/2000 sec1/2000 sec
        No External Flash Connectivity
        Low Video Resolution1280 x 720640 x 480
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen

      Screen

      Olympus SZ-11 has a 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution and Canon PowerShot A480 has a 2.50" screen with 115k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

      Sensor

      Olympus SZ-11 features a 14 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600. Canon PowerShot A480 features a 10 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      Olympus SZ-11 is equipped with TruePic III+ processor and can take pictures up to 4288 x 3216 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4288 x 2416, 3264 x 2448, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot A480 can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2816 x 2112, 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 3648 x 2048, 320 x 240 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.

      Image Stabilization on Olympus SZ-11

      Olympus SZ-11 has an image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Olympus SZ-11 comes with LI-50B battery pack with battery life of 200 shots and Canon PowerShot A480 comes with 2 x AA battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Olympus SZ-11 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Canon PowerShot A480 has a single SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Olympus SZ-11, and up to 1/2000 sec on Canon PowerShot A480. Olympus SZ-11 can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps. Canon PowerShot A480 can shoot continuously up to 0.8 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 9.30 m @ ISO 1600 on Olympus SZ-11 and 3.00 m on Canon PowerShot A480. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/500 sec on Canon PowerShot A480.

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus SZ-11 body has dimensions of 106 x 69 x 40 mm (4.17 x 2.72 x 1.57") and Canon PowerShot A480 body has dimensions of 92 x 62 x 31 mm (3.62 x 2.44 x 1.22"). Olympus SZ-11 weighs 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz) and Canon PowerShot A480 weighs 140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz).

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      106 mm

      69 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      92 mm

      62 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      69 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      62 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Olympus SZ-11 and Canon PowerShot A480

      Olympus SZ-11 and Canon PowerShot A480 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      POOR
      48
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      BAD
      36
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   5 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      POOR
      46
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   5 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      GOOD
      70
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      POOR
      45
      •   Small Sensor
      •   5 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Street Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      GOOD
      83
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      GOOD
      80
      •   Small Sensor
      •   5 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus SZ-11 and Canon PowerShot A480 and give them scores of 53 and 42 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      OVERALL
      53
      OVERALL
      42

      Sensor

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      POOR
      45
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      BAD
      27
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      BAD
      2
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480

      Focusing

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      POOR
      54
      •   5 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      POOR
      54
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      46
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot A480

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      •   Internal Storage
      POOR
      49
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz)
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

      Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
      ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.