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Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500

Portability
85
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Canon PowerShot SX130 IS front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
51
Features
52
Overall
51

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Canon SX130 IS
(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
Sony A500
(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
Photography Glossary

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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX130 IS over the Sony A500

 SX130 IS A500 
RevealedAugust 2010August 2009Newer by 12 months

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Canon SX130 IS

 A500 SX130 IS 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Canon SX130 IS and Sony A500

 SX130 IS A500 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 size comparison

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

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX130 IS Portrait photography info
Sony A500 Portrait photography info
29
manual focus
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
62
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Canon SX130 IS Street photography highlights
Sony A500 Street photography highlights
58
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (308 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX130 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony A500 as a Sports photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
50
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (520 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX130 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony A500 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competitors in class (308 grams)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great reach (336mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
43
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (520 shots)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX130 IS Landscape photography advice
Sony A500 Landscape photography advice
42
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
60
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (520 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX130 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony A500 as a Vlogging camera
29
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (308g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
9
no video
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Canon SX130 IS vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX130 IS and Sony A500
 Canon PowerShot SX130 ISSony 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