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Canon SX500 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4

Portability
80
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Leica V-Lux 4 front
Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46

Canon SX500 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Key Specs

Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Updated by Canon SX510 HS
Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Earlier Model is Leica V-Lux 3
  • New Model is Leica V-Lux 5
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Canon SX500 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Canon SX500 IS and Leica V-Lux 4, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Leica. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and V-Lux 4 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was released very close to the V-Lux 4 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SX500 IS grades versus the V-Lux 4 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Leica V-Lux 4

 SX500 IS V-Lux 4 
Screen resolution461k460kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Canon SX500 IS

 V-Lux 4 SX500 IS 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Leica V-Lux 4

 SX500 IS V-Lux 4 
IntroducedAugust 2012September 2012Similar age
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX500 IS enjoys exterior 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) while the Leica V-Lux 4 has proportions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") along with a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs).

Check the Canon SX500 IS and Leica V-Lux 4 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SX500 IS vs the V-Lux 4.

Canon SX500 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and V-Lux 4 is 80 and 65 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by going over a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX500 IS and V-Lux 4.

Clearly, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon SX500 IS to offer greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography advice
Leica V-Lux 4 Portrait photography advice
46
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/1,600s)
MP count good (16MP)
provides face detect focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
45
focusing manually
features face detection focus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Street photography camera
Leica V-Lux 4 as a Street photography camera
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
57
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
sensor is small (1/2.3")
more heavy than average (588 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography factors
Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography factors
45
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (195 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
46
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
good battery life (540 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Travel photography camera
Leica V-Lux 4 as a Travel photography camera
60
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (195 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
55
good battery life (540 per charge)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (588g)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Leica V-Lux 4 as a Landscape photography camera
46
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery pack (195 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
48
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (540 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging features
Leica V-Lux 4 Vlogging features
28
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
63
decently wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone support
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than average (588g)
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Canon SX500 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Leica V-Lux 4
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISLeica V-Lux 4
General Information
Company Canon Leica
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Leica V-Lux 4
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-08-21 2012-09-17
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 1 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,312 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 13.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/1600 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341 grams (0.75 lb) 588 grams (1.30 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3")
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 195 shots 540 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $299 $899