Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS
56 Imaging
57 Features
70 Overall
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80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
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Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF/EF-S Mount
- 860g - 148 x 111 x 74mm
- Launched November 2009
- New Model is Canon 7D MII
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
- 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
- Released August 2012
- Later Model is Canon SX510 HS

Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS Overview
Here, we will be evaluating the Canon 7D versus Canon SX500 IS, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both manufactured by Canon. The resolution of the 7D (18MP) and the SX500 IS (16MP) is pretty comparable but the 7D (APS-C) and SX500 IS (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizing.

The 7D was launched 3 years prior to the SX500 IS which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Canon 7D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera.
Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the 7D matches up vs the SX500 IS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 7D & Canon PowerShot SX500 IS. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon 7D Gallery & Canon SX500 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 7D over the Canon SX500 IS
7D | SX500 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 461k | Sharper screen (+459k dot) |
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Canon 7D
SX500 IS | 7D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2012 | ![]() | November 2009 | More modern by 33 months |
Common features in the Canon 7D and Canon SX500 IS
7D | SX500 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon 7D offers outer dimensions of 148mm x 111mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") and a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) whilst the Canon SX500 IS has dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).
Contrast the Canon 7D versus Canon SX500 IS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the 7D against the SX500 IS.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the 7D and SX500 IS is 56 and 80 respectively.

Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes only by checking out specifications. The picture here may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 7D and SX500 IS.
To sum up, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 7D due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Canon 7D will show extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged 7D will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS Specifications
Canon EOS 7D | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Canon |
Model | Canon EOS 7D | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2009-11-06 | 2012-08-21 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Dual Digic 4 | Digic 4 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 332.3mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 12800 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 19 | 1 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Canon EF/EF-S | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/3.4-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | - | 1cm |
Number of lenses | 326 | - |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 920 thousand dots | 461 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.63x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 15 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 8.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m | 5.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 860 gr (1.90 lb) | 341 gr (0.75 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 148 x 111 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 66 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.0 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 854 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 photographs | 195 photographs |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LP-E6 | NB-6L |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive cards | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $1,050 | $299 |