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Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX50 HS

Portability
64
Imaging
33
Features
53
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS front
Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
55
Overall
43

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX50 HS Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Released March 2009
Canon SX50 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 595g - 123 x 87 x 106mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Older Model is Canon SX40 HS
  • New Model is Canon SX60 HS
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Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX50 HS Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX50 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both designed by Canon. The image resolution of the SX1 IS (10MP) and the SX50 HS (12MP) is very close and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX1 IS was announced 4 years earlier than the SX50 HS and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SX1 IS matches up against the SX50 HS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Canon SX50 HS

 SX1 IS SX50 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Canon SX1 IS

 SX50 HS SX1 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2013March 2009Fresher by 46 months
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX50 HS

 SX1 IS SX50 HS 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display sizing2.8"2.8"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX50 HS Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX1 IS features outer dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) while the Canon SX50 HS has specifications of 123mm x 87mm x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") accompanied by a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX50 HS in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the SX1 IS and the SX50 HS.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX50 HS size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX1 IS and SX50 HS is 64 and 65 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX50 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX50 HS Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing merely by viewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX1 IS and SX50 HS.

Clearly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Canon SX50 HS to provide you with extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The older SX1 IS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX50 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX50 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX50 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Portrait photography details
Canon SX50 HS Portrait photography details
46
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
48
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Street photography features
Canon SX50 HS Street photography features
56
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (615 grams)
57
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
more heavy than others in class (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Sports photography highlights
Canon SX50 HS Sports photography highlights
33
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
39
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX50 HS as a Travel photography camera
52
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
fairly wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (615g)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (595g)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX50 HS as a Landscape photography camera
44
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
45
focusing manually
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging features
Canon SX50 HS Vlogging features
57
fairly wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (615 grams)
58
fairly wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (595g)
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Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX50 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX50 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISCanon PowerShot SX50 HS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-03-27 2013-01-15
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by - Digic 5
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.4-6.5
Macro focusing distance 0cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display size 2.8 inches 2.8 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 202k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 5.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500s 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 615g (1.36 lbs) 595g (1.31 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 123 x 87 x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 179
Other
Battery life - 315 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NB-10L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $600 $429