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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
Portability
72
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820 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
  • Released August 2012
  • New Model is Canon SX510 HS
Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Older Model is Nikon L810
  • Replacement is Nikon L830
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon L820, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the L820 (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was released 5 months prior to the L820 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon L820 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SX500 IS grades vs the L820 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon L820

 SX500 IS L820 
Manual focus More exact focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Canon SX500 IS

 L820 SX500 IS 
Screen resolution921k461kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon L820

 SX500 IS L820 
IntroducedAugust 2012January 2013Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX500 IS offers external dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) while the Nikon L820 has proportions of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon L820 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the SX500 IS and the L820.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and L820 is 80 and 72 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing just by viewing specs. The photograph here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and L820.

All in all, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of photographs though you should really factor the production date of the cameras into account.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L820 as a Portrait photography camera
46
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/1,600s)
decent MP (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
30
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography info
Nikon L820 Street photography info
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
38
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competition (470g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography factors
Nikon L820 Sports photography factors
44
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (195 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
36
long zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography features
Nikon L820 Travel photography features
59
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (195 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
56
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (23mm)
very long reach (675mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (470g)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography features
Nikon L820 Landscape photography features
46
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery pack (195 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
36
relatively wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3")
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging info
Nikon L820 Vlogging info
28
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic jack
24
relatively wide (23mm)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competition (470 grams)
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Nikon L820
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISNikon Coolpix L820
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Nikon Coolpix L820
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-08-21 2013-01-29
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
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 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 1 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 23-675mm (29.3x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.0-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/1600s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 341g (0.75 pounds) 470g (1.04 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3")
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 pictures 320 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID NB-6L 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $299 $192