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Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX500 IS

Portability
64
Imaging
33
Features
53
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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 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
  • Released August 2012
  • Renewed by Canon SX510 HS
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Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Overview

Below is a in depth overview of the Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX500 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are sold by Canon. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and SX500 IS (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX1 IS was introduced 4 years earlier than the SX500 IS and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SX1 IS grades against the SX500 IS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Canon SX500 IS

 SX1 IS SX500 IS 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Canon SX1 IS

 SX500 IS SX1 IS 
ReleasedAugust 2012March 2009More recent by 41 months
Display sizing3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX500 IS

 SX1 IS SX500 IS 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX1 IS comes with exterior measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") with a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) while the Canon SX500 IS has proportions 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 SX1 IS vs Canon SX500 IS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SX1 IS versus the SX500 IS.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX500 IS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX1 IS and SX500 IS is 64 and 80 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX500 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to see the gap in sensor measurements only by viewing specifications. The visual underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX1 IS and SX500 IS.

To sum up, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Canon SX500 IS to provide you with greater detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older SX1 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX500 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Portrait photography info
Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography info
46
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
low resolution (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
46
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/1,600s)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Street photography information
Canon SX500 IS Street photography information
56
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (615 grams)
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX500 IS as a Sports photography camera
33
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
45
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (195 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Travel photography features
Canon SX500 IS Travel photography features
52
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (615g)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
60
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (195 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Landscape photography details
Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography details
44
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (2.8")
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse function
46
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery power (195 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging highlights
Canon SX500 IS Vlogging highlights
57
fairly wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than competition in class (615g)
28
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
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Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX500 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISCanon PowerShot SX500 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-03-27 2012-08-21
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Digic 4
Sensor type CMOS 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 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 1
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focus range 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.8" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.20 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
Highest flash sync 1/500s 1/1600s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, 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 615g (1.36 pounds) 341g (0.75 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 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 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $600 $299