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Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500

Portability
64
Imaging
32
Features
53
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P500 front
Portability
67
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500 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
Nikon P500
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Nikon P500

 SX1 IS P500 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Canon SX1 IS

 P500 SX1 IS 
ReleasedFebruary 2011March 2009Newer by 22 months
Screen sizing3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Portrait photography details
Nikon P500 Portrait photography details
45
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
low MP (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
34
focusing manually
provides face detection focusing
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon P500 as a Street photography camera
56
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (615 grams)
50
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than competition (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Sports photography features
Nikon P500 Sports photography features
32
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
low MP (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
36
excellent zoom range (23-810mm 35.2 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (220 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Travel photography details
Nikon P500 Travel photography details
52
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
quite wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (615g)
low MP (10MP)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
47
built-in flash
quite wide (23mm)
great reach (810mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery life (220 per charge)
more heavy than competition (494g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon P500 as a Landscape photography camera
44
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (2.8 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse mode
38
focusing manually
quite wide (23mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging features
Nikon P500 Vlogging features
57
quite wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
missing external mic socket
heavier than average in class (615g)
26
quite wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competition (494 grams)
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Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Nikon P500
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISNikon 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