• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX400 IS advantages over Olympus PEN-F

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    313g vs 434g
    Lighter weight

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Canon SX400 IS

  • 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 none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 190 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 77k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX400 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus PEN-F

Review Excerpt

  • Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.

  • Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX510 HS

Canon SX400 IS
Canon SX510 HS
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus PEN-F
Canon SX510 HS
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon SX410 IS

Canon SX400 IS
Canon SX410 IS
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
Olympus PEN-F
Canon SX410 IS
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Canon SX420 IS

Canon SX400 IS
Canon SX420 IS
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
Olympus PEN-F
Canon SX420 IS
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Canon SX400 IS
Panasonic GX85
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus PEN-F
Panasonic GX85
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Canon SX400 IS
Olympus E-PL8
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-PL8
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
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