Canon PowerShot SX500 IS

    52
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    Highlights

    • 16 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
    • 80 - 1,600 Native ISO
    • 1 Focus Points (1 Cross-type)
    • Image Stabilization
    • 3.0" 461k dot Fixed Screen
    • 0.8 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS was announced in 2012 and is a 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm) Standard Compact camera with 16 Megapixel CCD sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 80 to 1,600. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 461k dot resolution. It has an image stabilization.

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS can capture video up to 1280 x 720 resolution.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Successor
    4. Screen
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Here is the Canon PowerShot SX5xx series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Canon PowerShot SX5xx series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Canon SX540 HS
    Compare
    		January
    2016    		 20.3 MP
    1/2.3-inch    		 80 - 3,200 Fixed 3.0"
    461k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon SX530 HS
    Compare
    		January
    2015    		 16 MP
    1/2.3-inch    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 3.0"
    461k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon SX520 HS
    Compare
    		July
    2014    		 16 MP
    1/2.3-inch    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 3.0"
    461k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon SX510 HS
    Compare
    		August
    2013    		 12.1 MP
    1/2.3-inch    		 80 - 3,200 Fixed 3.0"
    461k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon SX500 IS August
    2012    		 16 MP
    1/2.3-inch    		 80 - 1,600 Fixed 3.0"
    461k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Canon PowerShot SX540 HS vs PowerShot SX530 HS vs PowerShot SX520 HS vs PowerShot SX510 HS vs PowerShot SX500 IS.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Canon PowerShot SX500 IS.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   80 Lowest Native ISO
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/1600 sec
    •   Light - 341 g (0.75 lb / 12.03 oz)
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   1 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1600 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
    •   No External Flash Connectivity
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   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 - 195 shots

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

    AVERAGE

    •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"

    Successor

    In 2013 Canon PowerShot SX500 IS was replaced by Canon PowerShot SX510 HS. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and its successor.

    UPGRADES Canon PowerShot SX510 HS vs Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
    Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 1,600
    Timelapse Recording vs
    Min Macro Focus Distance 0 cm vs 1 cm
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.8 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720
    HDMI Output Mini vs
    Built-In Wi-Fi vs Eye-Fi Connection possible
    Longer Battery Life 250 shots vs 195 shots
    DOWNGRADES Canon PowerShot SX510 HS vs Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
    Lower Sensor Resolution 12.1 Megapixel vs 16 Megapixel
    Heavier 349 g (0.77 lb / 12.31 oz) vs 341 g (0.75 lb / 12.03 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Canon PowerShot SX500 IS vs PowerShot SX510 HS.

    Screen

    Fixed screen

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 461k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.

    Sensor

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS features a 16 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.

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with DIGIC 4 processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution.


    Image Stabilization

    The camera has an image stabilization.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot SX500 IS.

    Canon SX520 HS
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.3-inch

    16 MP

    Canon SX530 HS
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.3-inch

    16 MP

    Canon SX540 HS
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.3-inch

    20.3 MP

    Canon SX510 HS
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.3-inch

    12.1 MP

    Panasonic S1R
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    47.3 MP

    Panasonic GH5S
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.28 MP

    Canon R100
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.1 MP

    Sony a6100
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Sony a6400
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Canon 5DS R
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Canon R5 C
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    45.0 MP

    Nikon Z30
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    APS-C

    20.9 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    Battery

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS comes with NB-6L battery pack with battery life of 195 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS's shutter speed can go up to 1/1600 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 0.8 fps.


    Flash

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS has a built-in flash with maximum range of 5.00 m. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/1600 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS has dimensions of 104 x 70 x 80 mm (4.09 x 2.76 x 3.15"). It weighs 341 g (0.75 lb / 12.03 oz), so it is a lightweight camera.

    104 mm (4.09")

    70 mm (2.76")

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    70 mm (2.76")

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    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS dimensions

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Canon PowerShot SX500 IS is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    POOR
    49

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS gets a score of 49 and is POOR choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    65

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS gets a score of 65 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   1 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
    •   Short Battery Life - 195 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    63

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS gets a score of 63 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   1 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 195 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    71

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS gets a score of 71 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   1 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/1600 sec
    •   No External Flash Connectivity
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    80

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   1 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 341 g (0.75 lb / 12.03 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    83

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS gets a score of 83 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 341 g (0.75 lb / 12.03 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 195 shots

    Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Evaluation

    We evaluate Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and give score of 52 out of 100. 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.


    OVERALL
    52

    Sensor

    POOR
    47

    We give Canon PowerShot SX500 IS a score of 47 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
    •   80 Lowest Native ISO
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    61

    We give Canon PowerShot SX500 IS a score of 61 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1600 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
    •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/1600 sec
    •   No External Flash Connectivity

    Video

    POOR
    43

    We give Canon PowerShot SX500 IS a score of 43 for Video parameters.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    66

    We give Canon PowerShot SX500 IS a score of 66 for Focusing parameters.

    •   1 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    POOR
    53

    We give Canon PowerShot SX500 IS a score of 53 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   No Viewfinder

    Connectivity

    POOR
    44

    We give Canon PowerShot SX500 IS a score of 44 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    42

    We give Canon PowerShot SX500 IS a score of 42 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 341 g (0.75 lb / 12.03 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 195 shots


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

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