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Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon P500

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P500 front
Portability
67
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon P500 Key Specs

Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX230 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX260 HS
Nikon P500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-810mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 494g - 116 x 84 x 103mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Replacement is Nikon P510
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Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon P500 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Canon SX240 HS versus Nikon P500, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX240 HS (12MP) and the P500 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX240 HS was introduced 13 months later than the P500 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX240 HS being a Compact camera and the Nikon P500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SX240 HS grades vs the P500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX240 HS over the Nikon P500

 SX240 HS P500 
ReleasedFebruary 2012February 2011More recent by 13 months

Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Canon SX240 HS

 P500 SX240 HS 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k461kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX240 HS and Nikon P500

 SX240 HS P500 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon P500 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX240 HS has outer measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Nikon P500 has sizing of 116mm x 84mm x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX240 HS versus Nikon P500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX240 HS vs the P500.

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon P500 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX240 HS and P500 is 91 and 67 respectively.

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon P500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon P500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements only by viewing technical specs. The graphic below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX240 HS and P500.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of photos but you should always factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The younger SX240 HS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon P500 sensor size comparison

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon P500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon P500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Portrait photography details
Nikon P500 Portrait photography details
37
focusing manually
provides face detection autofocus
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
34
manual focus
includes face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Street photography highlights
Nikon P500 Street photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (224 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
50
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX240 HS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon P500 as a Sports photography camera
36
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
36
long zoom range (23-810mm 35.2 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (220 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Travel photography info
Nikon P500 Travel photography info
61
lighter than competitors (224 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
47
built-in flash
relatively wide (23mm)
long reach (810mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (220 shots)
heavier than competition (494 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Landscape photography features
Nikon P500 Landscape photography features
41
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
39
manual focus
relatively wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX240 HS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon P500 as a Vlogging camera
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (224g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
27
relatively wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have external mic support
heavier than competition (494 grams)
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Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon P500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX240 HS and Nikon P500
 Canon PowerShot SX240 HSNikon Coolpix P500
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX240 HS Nikon Coolpix P500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-02-07 2011-02-09
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5 Expeed C2
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 23-810mm (35.2x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.4-5.7
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology PureColor II TFT LCD TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 8.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 224 gr (0.49 lbs) 494 gr (1.09 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 116 x 84 x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 230 photographs 220 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $0 $399