Canon A3200 IS vs Canon SX500 IS
95 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39
Canon A3200 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F) lens
- 149g - 95 x 57 x 24mm
- Introduced January 2011
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- 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
- Newer Model is Canon SX510 HS

Canon A3200 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Overview
In this article, we are matching up the Canon A3200 IS and Canon SX500 IS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Canon. The image resolution of the A3200 IS (14MP) and the SX500 IS (16MP) is fairly close and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The A3200 IS was brought out 19 months earlier than the SX500 IS making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the A3200 IS scores vs the SX500 IS for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon A3200 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot A3200 IS & Canon PowerShot SX500 IS. The entire galleries are provided at Canon A3200 IS Gallery & Canon SX500 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3200 IS over the Canon SX500 IS
A3200 IS | SX500 IS |
---|
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Canon A3200 IS
SX500 IS | A3200 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | Newer by 19 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+231k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A3200 IS and Canon SX500 IS
A3200 IS | SX500 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Canon A3200 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Physical Comparison
If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Canon A3200 IS provides outer measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Canon SX500 IS has sizing of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).
Examine the Canon A3200 IS and Canon SX500 IS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view size comparison of the A3200 IS against the SX500 IS.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A3200 IS and SX500 IS is 95 and 80 respectively.

Canon A3200 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions merely by viewing a spec sheet. The picture below will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the A3200 IS and SX500 IS.
As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SX500 IS to render greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged A3200 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon A3200 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3200 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3200 IS | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Canon |
Model | Canon PowerShot A3200 IS | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2011-01-05 | 2012-08-21 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | 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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 1 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/3.4-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 461k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 15 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m | 5.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Smart | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/1600 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 149 gr (0.33 lb) | 341 gr (0.75 lb) |
Dimensions | 95 x 57 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 195 photographs |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-8L | NB-6L |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $230 | $299 |