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Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SX500 IS

Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
35
Overall
36
Canon PowerShot A3400 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Key Specs

Canon A3400 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 126g - 94 x 56 x 21mm
  • Revealed February 2012
Canon SX500 IS
(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
  • Launched August 2012
  • Refreshed by Canon SX510 HS
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Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SX500 IS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are built by Canon. The resolution of the A3400 IS (16MP) and the SX500 IS (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A3400 IS was manufactured 6 months before the SX500 IS which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the A3400 IS matches up against the SX500 IS for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon A3400 IS over the Canon SX500 IS

 A3400 IS SX500 IS 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Canon A3400 IS

 SX500 IS A3400 IS 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3400 IS and Canon SX500 IS

 A3400 IS SX500 IS 
LaunchedFebruary 2012August 2012Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon A3400 IS provides exterior dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 21mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Canon SX500 IS has sizing of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Check the Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SX500 IS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the A3400 IS versus the SX500 IS.

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SX500 IS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the A3400 IS and SX500 IS is 96 and 80 respectively.

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SX500 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by reading through specifications. The photograph below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A3400 IS and SX500 IS.

To sum up, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of pictures however you should really consider the release date of the products into consideration.

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SX500 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3400 IS Portrait photography information
Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography information
34
MP count good (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
46
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/1,600 seconds)
good MP (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A3400 IS Street photography highlights
Canon SX500 IS Street photography highlights
67
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
lighter than average (126 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
51
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3400 IS Sports photography highlights
Canon SX500 IS Sports photography highlights
37
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (180 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery power (195 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A3400 IS
Travel photography with Canon SX500 IS
68
lighter than average (126 grams)
has touch to focus
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (180 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
59
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
no Timelapse mode
low battery power (195 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3400 IS Landscape photography factors
Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography factors
41
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery life (180 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
46
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery power (195 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3400 IS Vlogging highlights
Canon SX500 IS Vlogging highlights
34
quite wide (28mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than average (126 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
28
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
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Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3400 IS and Canon SX500 IS
 Canon PowerShot A3400 ISCanon PowerShot SX500 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot A3400 IS Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-02-07 2012-08-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 1
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/1600 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 gr (0.28 pounds) 341 gr (0.75 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 56 x 21mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 180 shots 195 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $230 $299