Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX500 IS
95 Imaging
39 Features
29 Overall
35


80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39
Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-224mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
- 145g - 95 x 56 x 24mm
- Revealed February 2012
(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
- Newer Model is Canon SX510 HS

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Overview
On this page, we are evaluating the Canon A4000 IS versus Canon SX500 IS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Canon. The sensor resolution of the A4000 IS (16MP) and the SX500 IS (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The A4000 IS was revealed 6 months prior to the SX500 IS and they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the A4000 IS matches up versus the SX500 IS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot A4000 IS & Canon PowerShot SX500 IS. The full galleries are available at Canon A4000 IS Gallery & Canon SX500 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A4000 IS over the Canon SX500 IS
A4000 IS | SX500 IS |
---|
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Canon A4000 IS
SX500 IS | A4000 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+231k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A4000 IS and Canon SX500 IS
A4000 IS | SX500 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2012 | ![]() | August 2012 | Similar age |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lack of Touch display |
Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon A4000 IS offers outer dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) and the Canon SX500 IS has specifications of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).
Compare the Canon A4000 IS versus Canon SX500 IS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the A4000 IS and the SX500 IS.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A4000 IS and SX500 IS is 95 and 80 respectively.

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's hard to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions only by checking technical specs. The picture underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A4000 IS and SX500 IS.
As you have seen, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution and you can expect similar quality of pictures although you really should consider the launch date of the products into consideration.

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot A4000 IS | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Canon |
Model | Canon PowerShot A4000 IS | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2012-02-07 | 2012-08-21 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | 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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
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 | 28-224mm (8.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.0-5.9 | f/3.4-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 461 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 15 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 5.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
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 | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | H.264 |
Microphone 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 | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 145g (0.32 pounds) | 341g (0.75 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 95 x 56 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 Overall 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 | 175 photos | 195 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-11L | NB-6L |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch cost | $199 | $299 |