Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500
64 Imaging
32 Features
53 Overall
40


67 Imaging
35 Features
44 Overall
38
Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 160 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 23-810mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
- 494g - 116 x 84 x 103mm
- Released February 2011
- Renewed by Nikon P510

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500 Overview
Lets look more closely at the Canon SX1 IS versus Nikon P500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX1 IS (10MP) and the P500 (12MP) is pretty well matched and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX1 IS was brought out 22 months prior to the P500 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SX1 IS matches up against the P500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX1 IS & Nikon Coolpix P500. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SX1 IS Gallery & Nikon P500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Nikon P500
SX1 IS | P500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Canon SX1 IS
P500 | SX1 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2011 | ![]() | March 2009 | Newer by 22 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.8" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Nikon P500
SX1 IS | P500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX1 IS has got external dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") having a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) while the Nikon P500 has specifications of 116mm x 84mm x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX1 IS versus Nikon P500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the SX1 IS against the P500.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX1 IS and P500 is 64 and 67 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by checking a spec sheet. The image underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX1 IS and P500.
As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Nikon P500 to give you greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Nikon Coolpix P500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Nikon Coolpix P500 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2009-03-27 | 2011-02-09 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Expeed C2 |
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 area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 160 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 23-810mm (35.2x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | f/3.4-5.7 |
Macro focusing range | 0cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Display sizing | 2.8 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | - | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/1500s |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.20 m | 8.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/500s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 615 grams (1.36 lb) | 494 grams (1.09 lb) |
Dimensions | 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") | 116 x 84 x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | - | 220 images |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | EN-EL5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $600 | $399 |