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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX500 IS

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Successor is Canon SX510 HS
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX500 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are built by Canon. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and SX500 IS (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was introduced 3 years before the SX500 IS which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SX20 IS grades versus the SX500 IS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Canon SX500 IS

 SX20 IS SX500 IS 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Canon SX20 IS

 SX500 IS SX20 IS 
IntroducedAugust 2012July 2010Newer by 25 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX500 IS

 SX20 IS SX500 IS 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS features exterior dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Canon SX500 IS has dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX500 IS in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SX20 IS vs the SX500 IS.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX500 IS size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and SX500 IS is 65 and 80 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX500 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to picture the gap between sensor dimensions merely by checking specifications. The pic here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and SX500 IS.

Plainly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Canon SX500 IS to resolve greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX500 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography features
Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography features
37
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
46
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/1,600s)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX500 IS as a Street photography camera
49
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competition (600 grams)
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX20 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX500 IS
34
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
44
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (195 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography factors
Canon SX500 IS Travel photography factors
53
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
rather wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (600g)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
59
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (195 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography highlights
Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography highlights
35
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
46
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery power (195 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging features
Canon SX500 IS Vlogging features
50
rather wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
heavier than competition (600g)
28
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX500 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISCanon PowerShot SX500 IS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2012-08-21
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 1
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focusing distance 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500s 1/1600s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 pounds) 341g (0.75 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 195 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at launch $500 $299