Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500
85 Imaging
35 Features
33 Overall
34


63 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-336mm (F3.4-5.6) lens
- 308g - 113 x 73 x 46mm
- Launched August 2010
- Newer Model is Canon SX150 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Revealed August 2009
- Later Model is Sony A560

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX130 IS (12MP) and the A500 (12MP) is pretty close but the SX130 IS (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

The SX130 IS was revealed 12 months after the A500 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX130 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the SX130 IS matches up versus the A500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX130 IS & Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The full galleries are available at Canon SX130 IS Gallery & Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX130 IS over the Sony A500
SX130 IS | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2010 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 12 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Canon SX130 IS
A500 | SX130 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Canon SX130 IS and Sony A500
SX130 IS | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX130 IS features outside measurements of 113mm x 73mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") with a weight of 308 grams (0.68 lbs) while the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the SX130 IS versus the A500.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX130 IS and A500 is 85 and 63 respectively.

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's difficult to picture the gap in sensor dimensions just by viewing specifications. The image here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX130 IS and A500.
To sum up, both cameras feature the identical resolution albeit different sensor dimensions. The SX130 IS has got the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult. The newer SX130 IS should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX130 IS | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX130 IS | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2010-08-19 | 2009-08-27 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4272 x 2848 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens focal range | 28-336mm (12.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.4-5.6 | - |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2500 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per second | 5.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video format | H.264 | - |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 308 gr (0.68 pounds) | 630 gr (1.39 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 113 x 73 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 64 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.6 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 772 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 520 pictures |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $250 | $638 |