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Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon P500

Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P500 front
Portability
67
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon P500 Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Revealed January 2016
Nikon P500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-810mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 494g - 116 x 84 x 103mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • New Model is Nikon P510
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Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon P500 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Canon SX420 IS and Nikon P500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and P500 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX420 IS was manufactured 4 years after the P500 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SX420 IS matches up against the P500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Nikon P500

 SX420 IS P500 
IntroducedJanuary 2016February 2011More modern by 60 months

Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Canon SX420 IS

 P500 SX420 IS 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Nikon P500

 SX420 IS P500 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon P500 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX420 IS features physical measurements of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Nikon P500 has dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX420 IS and Nikon P500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX420 IS and the P500.

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon P500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX420 IS and P500 is 80 and 67 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon P500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon P500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes simply by going over specifications. The image underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX420 IS and P500.

Plainly, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Canon SX420 IS to offer you greater detail due to its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more recent SX420 IS is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon P500 sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon P500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon P500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Portrait photography features
Nikon P500 Portrait photography features
44
focusing manually
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
34
manual focus
features face detection autofocus
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon P500 as a Street photography camera
52
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
50
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competition (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Sports photography details
Nikon P500 Sports photography details
41
long zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
max frames per second very slow (0.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (195 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
36
long zoom range (23-810mm 35.2 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (220 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Travel photography features
Nikon P500 Travel photography features
61
decent megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (195 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
47
flash built-in
decently wide (23mm)
very long reach (810mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery (220 shots)
more heavy than competition (494g)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon P500 as a Landscape photography camera
47
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery life (195 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
38
manual focus
decently wide (23mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery (220 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Vlogging information
Nikon P500 Vlogging information
29
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone socket
26
decently wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (494g)
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Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon P500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Nikon P500
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISNikon Coolpix P500
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Nikon Coolpix P500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-01-05 2011-02-09
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4+ Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5152 x 3864 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 23-810mm (35.2x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/3.4-5.7
Macro focusing distance 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 0.5 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 8.00 m
Flash options Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325 grams (0.72 pounds) 494 grams (1.09 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 116 x 84 x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1")
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 photos 220 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11LH EN-EL5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $299 $399