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Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS

Portability
56
Imaging
57
Features
70
Overall
62
Canon EOS 7D front
 
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39

Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS Key Specs

Canon 7D
(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
Canon SX500 IS
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon 7D over the Canon SX500 IS

 7D SX500 IS 
Screen resolution920k461kSharper screen (+459k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Canon 7D

 SX500 IS 7D 
ReleasedAugust 2012November 2009More modern by 33 months

Common features in the Canon 7D and Canon SX500 IS

 7D SX500 IS 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS size comparison

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

Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 7D Portrait photography factors
Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography factors
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW formats
46
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/1,600s)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 7D Street photography advice
Canon SX500 IS Street photography advice
57
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon 7D
Sports photography with Canon SX500 IS
64
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
low battery power (800 per charge)
44
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (195 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon 7D Travel photography factors
Canon SX500 IS Travel photography factors
53
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery power (800 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
59
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (195 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 7D
Landscape photography with Canon SX500 IS
63
you can focus manually
change lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
no image stabilization
low battery power (800 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
46
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery power (195 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 7D Vlogging highlights
Canon SX500 IS Vlogging highlights
28
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
28
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Canon 7D vs Canon SX500 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 7D and Canon SX500 IS
 Canon EOS 7DCanon 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