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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L610

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L610 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
33
Overall
36

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L610 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
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replacement is Canon SX510 HS
Nikon L610
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-350mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 240g - 108 x 69 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2012
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L610 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L610, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the L610 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX500 IS was launched very close to the L610 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SX500 IS scores against the L610 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon L610

 SX500 IS L610 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen resolution461k460kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L610 over the Canon SX500 IS

 L610 SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon L610

 SX500 IS L610 
IntroducedAugust 2012August 2012Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L610 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS offers exterior 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 L610 has specifications of 108mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

See the Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L610 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SX500 IS vs the L610.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L610 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and L610 is 80 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L610 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L610 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by researching technical specs. The picture below may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and L610.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same MP and you can expect comparable quality of files though you would want to take the launch date of the cameras into account.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L610 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L610 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L610 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography advice
Nikon L610 Portrait photography advice
46
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/1,600s)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
30
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography info
Nikon L610 Street photography info
51
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX500 IS
Sports photography with Nikon L610
44
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (195 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
long zoom range (25-350mm 14.0 x zoom)
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (120 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography factors
Nikon L610 Travel photography factors
59
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (195 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
66
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (350mm)
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (120 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography info
Nikon L610 Landscape photography info
46
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery life (195 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
41
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery power (120 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon L610 Vlogging highlights
28
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
33
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic support
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L610 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Nikon L610
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISNikon Coolpix L610
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Nikon Coolpix L610
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-08-21 2012-08-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 surface 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 -
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 25-350mm (14.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/1600 secs -
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
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 341 grams (0.75 pounds) 240 grams (0.53 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 108 x 69 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.7" x 1.3")
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 photos 120 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID NB-6L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $299 $150