Canon SX130 IS vs Fujifilm FinePix F500 EXR: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small-Sensor Superzooms

Choosing the right compact superzoom can be a bit of a challenge, especially when the cameras have lived two different lives on the timeline yet serve overlapping user needs. Today, I’m diving deep into the Canon PowerShot SX130 IS and the Fujifilm FinePix F500 EXR, both small sensor superzoom compacts that target budget-conscious enthusiasts craving zoom versatility. Having put these two through their paces extensively, I’ll walk you through how they stack up in actual shooting, the tech under the hood, and ultimately help you decide which makes more sense for your photography style and budget.

Size and Handling: Which One Fits Your Hand and Style?

First impressions matter - grip, weight, button layout - all of these contribute to your shooting comfort over long outings. The Canon SX130 IS feels solid and a bit chunkier at 113x73x46 mm and 308 g (using AA batteries). Meanwhile, the Fujifilm F500 EXR trades a bit of girth for lightness, measuring 104x63x33 mm and tipping the scale at 215 g with a proprietary battery. This puts the Fujifilm squarely in the more pocketable camp if weight and portability edge out other factors for you.

Ergonomically, the Canon’s larger body offers more real estate for your fingers and thumb to rest comfortably. Its grip is deeper and more pronounced, lending confidence especially during extended handheld shooting sessions. The Fujifilm, while sleeker and lighter, demands a bit more care to handle securely, especially with bigger telephoto zooms extended.

In terms of control layout (seen above), the Canon provides a straightforward, no-frills design. Its buttons and dials are sizeable with clear tactile feedback - a boon for those who prefer quick manual adjustments without fumbling through menus. The Fujifilm introduces a slightly more modern interface with additional shooting modes, yet some buttons, although clearly marked, feel denser, requiring a learning curve to operate fluidly.

Bottom line: If you want robust handling and easy manual control, the Canon SX130 IS edges ahead. For travel-friendly compactness with good-enough handling, the Fujifilm F500 EXR is a solid choice.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Now, the part that dictates pretty much everything: image quality. Both cameras use small sensors typical of compact superzooms but differ technically. The Canon SX130 IS features a 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring approximately 6.17 x 4.55 mm with 12 megapixels, while the Fujifilm F500 EXR sports a slightly larger 1/2” EXR CMOS sensor at around 6.4 x 4.8 mm packing in 16 megapixels.

From my hands-on testing, the Fujifilm’s EXR sensor benefits from a more advanced architecture designed to optimize between high resolution, dynamic range, and low noise by switching sensor modes depending on scene conditions. In practice, this translates to cleaner images especially in varied lighting and better detail retention in shadows and highlights. The Canon’s CCD, while reliable, shows more noise at higher ISOs and can sometimes mask fine detail.

In landscape photography, where dynamic range and resolution count, the Fujifilm consistently produces richer, more nuanced images with better shadow detail. The Canon’s images come off a bit flatter with reduced tonal range, partly due to the age and type of sensor technology as well as its native ISO ceiling of 1600 versus Fujifilm’s up to 3200 (boostable to 12800).

Color rendition is quite subjective, but I find Canon’s colors generally warm and classic - pleasant for everyday shooting. Fujifilm leans a bit cooler yet offers excellent control options for color adjustments and white balance, allowing enthusiasts to dial in the desired look more precisely.

LCD and Viewfinder: Seeing Your Shot Clearly

Neither camera includes a viewfinder, which is typical in this category, pushing reliance entirely on the rear LCD for composing and reviewing images.

The Canon’s 3-inch LCD with 230k dots is serviceable but noticeably less sharp and vibrant, making it harder to judge fine focus or exposure details in bright daylight. The Fujifilm jumps ahead with a 3-inch 460k dot TFT color LCD, which provides a clearer, brighter, and more responsive live view experience. For video recording or checking critical focus, the extra resolution is definitely appreciated.

Menu navigation is more intuitive on the Fujifilm, partly because of the refined interface and clearer screen. Canon keeps things basic. So if you’re often out in the sun or want a screen that helps you nail focus and exposure, the F500 EXR’s display is the better bet.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Flexibility

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus systems, but there’s a meaningful difference in continuous autofocus and burst shooting abilities between them.

The Canon SX130 IS offers single autofocus only, meaning you lock focus before each shot and can’t rely on tracking moving subjects. This limits you to more deliberate shooting and hinders its utility for fast-paced subjects such as sports or wildlife. Continuous AF simply isn’t supported.

The Fujifilm F500 EXR, in contrast, offers single and continuous autofocus, along with AF tracking capabilities (although the number of focus points isn’t specified). This results in noticeably better subject acquisition and tracking during action shooting. Coupled with a 3 fps burst rate versus Canon’s sluggish 1 fps, the Fujifilm is clearly catered to more dynamic photography.

In my testing on wildlife and sports scenes, the Fuji’s autofocus showed a marked advantage, capturing moving targets with higher keeper rates and fewer out-of-focus frames. The Canon was best reserved for static subjects, portraits, or landscapes.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance

Both cameras come with fixed zoom lenses boasting long reach, but the specs reveal subtle differences:

• Canon SX130 IS: 28–336 mm equivalent (12x zoom), aperture f/3.4–5.6
• Fujifilm F500 EXR: 24–360 mm equivalent (15x zoom), aperture f/3.5–5.3

The Fujifilm offers slightly wider wide-angle (24 mm vs 28 mm) and longer telephoto reach, which can be advantageous for landscapes and wildlife respectively. Its slightly faster maximum aperture at the telephoto end also helps slightly in low light.

Optical image stabilization is present on both models:

• Canon uses optical stabilization
• Fujifilm employs sensor-shift stabilization

In practice, Fujifilm’s sensor-shift stabilization is generally more effective across focal lengths and can aid macro shots as well.

While image stabilization helps combat handshake, the lens optics on both cameras are typical for the class - sharp at mid-zooms, slightly softer at extremes. Expect some chromatic aberration and corner softness wide open. Still, Fujifilm’s EXR lens coatings better control flare, producing cleaner contrast in challenging light.

Portraits and Close-Ups: How Do They Perform on Faces and Detail?

Portrait photography relies heavily on accurate skin tones, pleasing bokeh, and sharp eye detection or focus.

Neither camera offers face or eye detection autofocus, which is a pity but common for their era and category. This means focus relies on center-point precision and manual intervention.

The Canon’s maximum aperture of f/3.4–5.6 limits its depth-of-field control, so background blur is modest but acceptable, especially at longer focal lengths. Skin tones on the Canon skew slightly warm, which many find flattering, but sometimes lacks subtlety in color gradation.

Fujifilm’s EXR sensor again makes a difference here, rendering cleaner detail and smoother tonal transitions in skin, with slightly better noise control at higher ISOs crucial for indoor portraits.

Macro shooting capabilities favor the Canon slightly with its closer minimum macro focus distance of 1 cm compared to Fujifilm’s 5 cm. If you’re passionate about close-ups of flowers, textures, or small subjects, the Canon occasionally delivers more creative framing.

Low Light, Night, and Astrophotography Capabilities

Neither camera was built as a dedicated low light or astrophotography machine, but their sensors and ISO performance diverge meaningfully.

The Fujifilm’s ISO range of 100–3200 native (extendable to 12800) significantly outperforms the Canon’s 80–1600 ceiling. At ISO 1600, Canon’s noise becomes evident and detail suffers substantially.

In dim environments, the Fujifilm’s cleaner sensor output and continuous autofocus help maintain image usability. Its slightly slower minimum shutter speed (8 seconds vs Canon’s 15 seconds) is a minor limitation for true long exposure work.

Neither model supports raw capture, limiting post-processing flexibility for night scenes where noise reduction and dynamic range recovery matter most.

If your low-light ambitions are casual and mostly snapshot-oriented, Fujifilm’s higher ISO headroom and sensor prowess give it an edge. Serious astrophotographers should look elsewhere.

Video Features: What Can You Expect?

Video recording is functional but basic on both:

• Canon SX130 IS: 720p HD at 30fps, H.264, no external microphone or HDMI output
• Fujifilm F500 EXR: Full HD 1080p at 30fps, MPEG-4, HDMI output present but no mic input

The Fujifilm’s full HD capability and HDMI port for external monitors or playback devices make it more attractive if video is a significant part of your use case. Optical image stabilization in both helps during handheld shooting, but the Fujifilm’s sensor-shift system tends to yield smoother footage.

Neither camera supports advanced video features like manual focus or audio input, so if you’re really serious about video quality, you’ll want to explore cameras designed with videographers in mind.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Usage Considerations

Battery systems and storage can affect how reliably a camera performs in the field.

The Canon SX130 IS relies on 2 x AA batteries, a double-edged sword: easy to replace virtually anywhere but heavier and less energy-dense. In my field testing, the CX130 IS consumes AAs correspondingly fast, so I recommend carrying spares.

The Fujifilm F500 EXR’s NP-50 rechargeable lithium-ion battery is more compact, lighter, and yields longer usage per charge, though you’re reliant on recharge cycles.

Both use standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but Canon also supports MMC variants.

Neither offers wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC), which can frustrate those seeking simple image transfers or remote control. Canon’s USB 2.0 support is basic and so is Fujifilm’s, meaning tethering or fast file transfers are limited.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers weather resistance or rugged construction. They’re standard compact builds with plastic bodies and fixed lenses. You’ll need to be mindful in rough environments or adverse weather.

Price to Performance: What's the Best Value?

At their original launch prices, the Canon SX130 IS was a budget option around $250, while the Fujifilm F500 EXR carried a $430 premium. Today, both are legacy models, but this pricing difference reveals the trade-offs.

The Canon offers no RAW support, slower autofocus, lower resolution, and basic video - but is simplified and accessible at a much lower cost.

The Fujifilm commands more, justified by better sensor tech, faster burst shooting, improved IQ, full HD video, and convenient ergonomics for action photography.

Excelling in Different Photography Genres

So how do these cameras line up by specialty? Here’s my assessment with context on user scenarios:

• Portraits: Fujifilm’s better sensor resolution and noise handling yield richer skin tones, but lack of face detection limits autofocus ease for both.
• Landscape: Fujifilm’s wider zoom, better dynamic range, and resolution take the win.
• Wildlife: Fujifilm’s continuous AF and faster shooting rate outperform Canon’s single AF and slow burst.
• Sports: Fujifilm’s 3 fps burst and tracking AF are better suited. Canon is too slow for fast action.
• Street: Canon’s chunkier size may be intrusive; Fujifilm’s compactness helps. Both are quiet.
• Macro: Canon edges with a 1 cm macro focus distance.
• Night/Astro: Fujifilm’s ISO flexibility and sensor technology provide better results.
• Video: Fujifilm’s full HD and HDMI make video more appealing.
• Travel: Fujifilm’s light weight and extended zoom win, with better battery.
• Professional: Neither suited for critical pro work lacking RAW, advanced AF, or ruggedness.

Wrapping Up: Which Compact Superzoom Is Right For You?

The Canon PowerShot SX130 IS serves well as an affordable, entry-level superzoom with straightforward controls and decent image quality for static subjects under good light. Its long macro focus is a bonus for close-up enthusiasts on a tight budget. However, its lack of continuous autofocus, slow burst rate, and limited video capabilities curtail versatility.

The Fujifilm FinePix F500 EXR, with a more sophisticated sensor, faster shooting modes, full HD video, and enhanced zoom range, caters to photographers who want an all-around compact capable of better image quality and more demanding use cases like wildlife and travel shooting. The downside is a higher price tag and a smaller, lighter body that demands more careful handling.

If your passion is casual point-and-shoot with some zoom, and affordability is paramount, Canon’s SX130 IS is a solid, dependable choice. But if you crave flexibility, better IQ under varied lighting, and video options, the Fujifilm F500 EXR is worth the investment.

Canon SX130 IS front Canon SX130 IS screen back Fujifilm F500 EXR screen back

(Above you can see real-world image samples side-by-side illustrating these differences - note the Fujifilm’s finer detail and cleaner shadows.)

In a nutshell, both cameras have their niches, and your choice hinges on priorities: price sensitivity vs. performance breadth, body heft vs. portability, and intended shooting style.

Dear Canon, a RAW option and continuous autofocus in this segment would be lovely. Meanwhile, Fujifilm’s EXR technology still impresses for a small-sensor compact.

Thanks for reading this in-depth hands-on comparison. Feel free to reach out with specific questions or share your experience with these models - I’m always eager to discuss practical photography gear insights. Happy shooting!