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Canon SX240 HS vs Canon SX500 IS

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40

Canon SX240 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Key Specs

Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 224g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
  • Introduced February 2012
  • Superseded the Canon SX230 HS
  • Later Model is Canon SX260 HS
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
  • Launched August 2012
  • Newer Model is Canon SX510 HS
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Canon SX240 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Canon SX240 HS versus Canon SX500 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are sold by Canon. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the SX240 HS (12MP) and SX500 IS (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX240 HS was manufactured 6 months before the SX500 IS which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SX240 HS grades versus the SX500 IS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX240 HS over the Canon SX500 IS

 SX240 HS SX500 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Canon SX240 HS

 SX500 IS SX240 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX240 HS and Canon SX500 IS

 SX240 HS SX500 IS 
LaunchedFebruary 2012August 2012Same age
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution461k461kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Canon SX240 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX240 HS enjoys outer dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Canon SX500 IS has specifications of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX240 HS versus Canon SX500 IS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the SX240 HS vs the SX500 IS.

Canon SX240 HS vs Canon SX500 IS size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX240 HS and SX500 IS is 91 and 80 respectively.

Canon SX240 HS vs Canon SX500 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX240 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing technical specs. The graphic below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX240 HS and SX500 IS.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon SX500 IS to show extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively.

Canon SX240 HS vs Canon SX500 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX240 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX240 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX240 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
37
you can focus manually
offers face detect focus
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
46
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/1,600s)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Street photography advice
Canon SX500 IS Street photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (224 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Sports photography highlights
Canon SX500 IS Sports photography highlights
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery power (230 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
45
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (195 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Travel photography advice
Canon SX500 IS Travel photography advice
61
lighter than competition (224g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery power (230 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
60
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery pack (195 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Landscape photography advice
Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography advice
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery power (230 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
46
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery pack (195 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Vlogging factors
Canon SX500 IS Vlogging factors
34
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (224g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of mic support
28
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
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Canon SX240 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX240 HS and Canon SX500 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX240 HSCanon PowerShot SX500 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX240 HS Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-02-07 2012-08-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 Digic 4
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 1
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech PureColor II TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/1600s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 224 grams (0.49 lb) 341 grams (0.75 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 230 images 195 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $0 $299