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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon AW120

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon AW120 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
  • Newer Model is Canon SX510 HS
Nikon AW120
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 213g - 110 x 66 x 26mm
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Previous Model is Nikon AW110
  • Successor is Nikon AW130
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon AW120 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon AW120, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by companies Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the AW120 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was brought out 17 months prior to the AW120 making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SX500 IS scores vs the AW120 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon AW120

 SX500 IS AW120 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Canon SX500 IS

 AW120 SX500 IS 
IntroducedFebruary 2014August 2012Newer by 17 months
Display resolution921k461kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon AW120

 SX500 IS AW120 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon AW120 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX500 IS has got physical dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) while the Nikon AW120 has measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") with a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon AW120 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the SX500 IS and the AW120.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon AW120 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and AW120 is 80 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon AW120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon AW120 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing technical specs. The pic below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX500 IS and AW120.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical MP so you can expect similar quality of photographs however you need to factor the age of the products into consideration. The more aged SX500 IS is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon AW120 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon AW120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon AW120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon AW120 Portrait photography highlights
46
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/1,600s)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports face detection focusing
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
35
good resolution (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography highlights
Nikon AW120 Street photography highlights
51
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography information
Nikon AW120 Sports photography information
44
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (195 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery power (350 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX500 IS
Travel photography with Nikon AW120
59
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (195 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
69
good battery power (350 shots)
environment proof
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
no Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX500 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon AW120
46
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery life (195 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
48
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
environment proof
good battery power (350 shots)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon AW120 as a Vlogging camera
28
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
33
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no external microphone jack
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon AW120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Nikon AW120
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISNikon Coolpix AW120
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Nikon Coolpix AW120
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2012-08-21 2014-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 1 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 5.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/1600s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 341g (0.75 pounds) 213g (0.47 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0")
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 shots 350 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD / SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $299 $350