Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L22
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
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93 Imaging
35 Features
14 Overall
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L22 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
- 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
- Introduced August 2012
- Updated by Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 37-134mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 183g - 98 x 61 x 28mm
- Released February 2010

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L22 Overview
Let's look more closely at the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon L22, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and L22 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX500 IS was announced 2 years after the L22 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX500 IS grades against the L22 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L22 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Nikon Coolpix L22. The whole galleries are available at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Nikon L22 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon L22
SX500 IS | L22 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2012 | ![]() | February 2010 | Newer by 31 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon L22 over the Canon SX500 IS
L22 | SX500 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon L22
SX500 IS | L22 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L22 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX500 IS has got physical dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Nikon L22 has sizing of 98mm x 61mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 183 grams (0.40 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon L22 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the SX500 IS versus the L22.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and L22 is 80 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L22 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by going over specs. The picture below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and L22.
All in all, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Canon SX500 IS to offer more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The newer SX500 IS provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L22 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L22 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Nikon Coolpix L22 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Nikon Coolpix L22 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2012-08-21 | 2010-02-03 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
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 | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 37-134mm (3.6x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 461 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/1600s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 341g (0.75 pounds) | 183g (0.40 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 98 x 61 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
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 photos | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6L | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $299 | $130 |