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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon A900

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix A900 front
Portability
88
Imaging
46
Features
58
Overall
50

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon A900 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
  • Renewed by Canon SX510 HS
Nikon A900
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-840mm (F3.4-6.9) lens
  • 289g - 113 x 67 x 40mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Updated by Nikon A1000
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon A900 Overview

Following is a detailed comparison of the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon A900, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the A900 (20MP) is very comparable and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was unveiled 4 years earlier than the A900 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SX500 IS scores against the A900 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon A900

 SX500 IS A900 
Focus manually More exact focus

Reasons to pick Nikon A900 over the Canon SX500 IS

 A900 SX500 IS 
ReleasedFebruary 2016August 2012More modern by 42 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k461kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon A900

 SX500 IS A900 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon A900 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX500 IS has got outside measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Nikon A900 has proportions of 113mm x 67mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") and a weight of 289 grams (0.64 lbs).

Check the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon A900 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the SX500 IS and the A900.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon A900 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and A900 is 80 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon A900 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon A900 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing technical specs. The image here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX500 IS and A900.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon A900 to provide extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged SX500 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon A900 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography factors
Nikon A900 Portrait photography factors
46
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/1,600 seconds)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
40
megapixel count good (20MP)
features face detection autofocus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX500 IS
Street photography with Nikon A900
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
69
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (289 grams)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography factors
Nikon A900 Sports photography factors
44
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (195 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
56
amazing zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
features tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon A900 as a Travel photography camera
59
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (195 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.4)
74
lighter than competition in class (289 grams)
supports bluetooth
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (840mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography features
Nikon A900 Landscape photography features
46
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery power (195 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
49
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon A900 as a Vlogging camera
28
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone port
34
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (289 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Nikon A900
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISNikon Coolpix A900
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Nikon Coolpix A900
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-08-21 2016-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD 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 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-840mm (35.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.4-6.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 6.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
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 341 gr (0.75 lbs) 289 gr (0.64 lbs)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 113 x 67 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6")
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 195 photos 300 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $299 $400