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Canon A1100 IS vs Canon SX500 IS

Portability
93
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Canon PowerShot A1100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39

Canon A1100 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Key Specs

Canon A1100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 62 x 31mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Successor is Canon SX510 HS
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Canon A1100 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Overview

The following is a detailed comparison of the Canon A1100 IS and Canon SX500 IS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are designed by Canon. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the A1100 IS (12MP) and SX500 IS (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A1100 IS was revealed 4 years prior to the SX500 IS which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the A1100 IS matches up against the SX500 IS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A1100 IS over the Canon SX500 IS

 A1100 IS SX500 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Canon A1100 IS

 SX500 IS A1100 IS 
RevealedAugust 2012February 2009Newer by 42 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution461k115kClearer screen (+346k dot)

Common features in the Canon A1100 IS and Canon SX500 IS

 A1100 IS SX500 IS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon A1100 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon A1100 IS comes with outer dimensions of 95mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Canon SX500 IS has dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Analyze the Canon A1100 IS and Canon SX500 IS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the A1100 IS against the SX500 IS.

Canon A1100 IS vs Canon SX500 IS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A1100 IS and SX500 IS is 93 and 80 respectively.

Canon A1100 IS vs Canon SX500 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A1100 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A1100 IS and SX500 IS.

Clearly, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Canon SX500 IS to offer you greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged A1100 IS is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Canon A1100 IS vs Canon SX500 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A1100 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1100 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Portrait photography info
Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography info
26
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
46
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/1,600s)
resolution is good (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Street photography information
Canon SX500 IS Street photography information
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Sports photography details
Canon SX500 IS Sports photography details
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
44
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
has tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (195 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Travel photography features
Canon SX500 IS Travel photography features
50
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
59
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (195 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Landscape photography details
Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography details
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.5")
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
46
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery pack (195 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Vlogging details
Canon SX500 IS Vlogging details
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
28
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic support
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Canon A1100 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1100 IS and Canon SX500 IS
 Canon PowerShot A1100 ISCanon PowerShot SX500 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot A1100 IS Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-02-18 2012-08-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 1
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 115 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/1600 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150g (0.33 pounds) 341g (0.75 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 195 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $160 $299