Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
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72 Imaging
39 Features
28 Overall
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and Nikon Coolpix L820. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX500 IS Gallery and Nikon L820 Gallery.
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 resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Sharper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon L820
SX500 IS | L820 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2012 | ![]() | January 2013 | Same generation |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L820 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Nikon 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 |