Canon SX500 IS vs Canon XC10

In this article, we will be reviewing the Canon SX500 IS versus Canon XC10, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are offered by Canon. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and XC10 (12MP) and the SX500 IS (1/2.3") and XC10 (1") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The SX500 IS was brought out 3 years earlier than the XC10 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Canon XC10 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SX500 IS grades versus the XC10 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Canon XC10. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Canon XC10 Gallery.

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX500 IS offers external dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Canon XC10 has sizing of 125mm x 102mm x 122mm (4.9" x 4.0" x 4.8") having a weight of 1040 grams (2.29 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX500 IS versus Canon XC10 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the SX500 IS and the XC10.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and XC10 is 80 and 54 respectively.

Generally, its difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by going through specifications. The image here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX500 IS and XC10.

To sum up, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SX500 IS featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Canon SX500 IS will provide extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged SX500 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.