Canon PowerShot SX620 HS vs Olympus Tough TG-4 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Compact · 20 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Canon PowerShot SX620 HS
49
SCORE
|
Olympus · Compact · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Olympus Tough TG-4
49
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon PowerShot SX620 HS and the Olympus Tough TG-4 are both compact fixed-lens cameras, but they answer different needs. The SX620 HS arrived in 2016 as a slim pocket camera, while the Tough TG-4 from 2015 is a sealed, go-anywhere body built for shooting around water, sand and rough weather. The Canon is the easier camera to carry, at 97 x 57 x 28 mm and 182 g against 112 x 66 x 31 mm and 247 g for the TG-4. The Olympus is about 35 percent heavier and larger in every dimension. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 11, 2016 | April 13, 2015 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 97 x 57 x 28 mm | 112 x 66 x 31 mm |
| Camera weight | 182 g | 247 g |
| Optics | 54/100 | 52/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe SX620 HS is the better pick when you want room to crop a distant subject. Its 20 megapixels give 4 MP more than the TG-4's 16. The Canon's 9 autofocus points also allow more off-centre subject placement than the Olympus's single point. The TG-4 is better for action sequences, at 5 fps against 2.5 fps on the Canon. The two share the 1/2.3-inch sensor format, CMOS design and in-body stabilisation, so handheld shooting is steadied on either body. The Olympus also reaches 6400 ISO and 12800 ISO expanded, against 3200 ISO on the Canon. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3888 | 4608 x 3456 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
6.17 x 4.55 | 6.17 x 4.55 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 1/2.3” | 1/2.3” |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
2.5 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 4+ | TruePic VII |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
8030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
8030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
1544080 | 444080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
200080032000 | 200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 10300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 43/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera gains an edge for everyday video, as both record Full HD at up to 30 fps. Neither records 4K, so anyone wanting higher-resolution footage needs a different camera. The TG-4 is the better choice for timelapse work. Its built-in interval timer records passing clouds or a sunset sequence in camera, a mode the SX620 HS lacks. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | H.264, MOV, Motion JPEG |
| Features | 41/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Tough TG-4's weather sealing keeps it shooting on rainy hikes and beach days where the SX620 HS needs protection. Its GPS tags photos with location data, useful for mapping a trek or sorting travel pictures by place. The Canon answers with better framing flexibility. Its screen flips for low-angle shots, and it resolves 922000 dots versus 460000 on the Olympus for clearer playback detail. The TG-4's screen is touch-sensitive, so settings can be changed by tapping. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
✗ | ✗ |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9220001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe TG-4 has the longer rated battery life, 380 shots against 295 for the SX620 HS. Each uses its own battery pack, the LI-92B on the Olympus and the NB-13L on the Canon. The Canon charges over USB, so it can be topped up from a power bank, while the TG-4 cannot. The Olympus adds internal storage alongside SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, a small buffer if a card fills or is forgotten. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, internal storage |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-13L | LI-92B |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
295 shots1505000 | 380 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus Tough TG-4 for photography outdoors in conditions that punish ordinary cameras. Its weather sealing, GPS tagging, 5 fps burst and 380-shot rated battery suit beach trips, kayaking and rainy hikes. The built-in timelapse adds a creative option the Canon lacks.
Choose the Canon PowerShot SX620 HS for lighter everyday travel and family shooting. It is smaller and 65 g lighter, and its 20 megapixels leave more room to crop. The flip screen and USB charging make low-angle framing and recharging on the move easier.