Clicky

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L810

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L810 front
Portability
74
Imaging
39
Features
38
Overall
38

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L810 Key Specs

Canon SX500 IS
(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
  • Replacement is Canon SX510 HS
Nikon L810
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 23-585mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 430g - 111 x 76 x 83mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Later Model is Nikon L820
Photography Glossary

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L810 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon L810, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the L810 (16MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The SX500 IS was introduced 7 months later than the L810 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SX500 IS scores vs the L810 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon L810

 SX500 IS L810 
LaunchedAugust 2012February 2012Fresher by 7 months
Focus manually Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Nikon L810 over the Canon SX500 IS

 L810 SX500 IS 
Screen resolution921k461kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon L810

 SX500 IS L810 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L810 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX500 IS enjoys 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) and the Nikon L810 has measurements of 111mm x 76mm x 83mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") along with a weight of 430 grams (0.95 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon L810 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the SX500 IS and the L810.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L810 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and L810 is 80 and 74 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L810 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L810 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing merely by going over technical specs. The visual here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX500 IS and L810.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of photos but you need to consider the age of the products into consideration. The fresher SX500 IS should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L810 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L810 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L810 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon L810 Portrait photography highlights
46
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/1,600 seconds)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
features face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography information
Nikon L810 Street photography information
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX500 IS
Sports photography with Nikon L810
44
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (195 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
incredible zoom range (23-585mm 25.4 x zoom)
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.2 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon L810 as a Travel photography camera
59
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
no Time Lapse function
bad battery (195 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
60
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (23mm)
very long zoom (585mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography advice
Nikon L810 Landscape photography advice
46
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery (195 shots)
no Time Lapse function
41
really wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX500 IS
Vlogging with Nikon L810
28
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
27
really wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L810 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Nikon L810
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISNikon Coolpix L810
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Nikon Coolpix L810
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-08-21 2012-02-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 1 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 23-585mm (25.4x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 1.2 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/1600s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341g (0.75 pounds) 430g (0.95 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 111 x 76 x 83mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 300 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model NB-6L 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $299 $280