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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P900

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P900 front
Portability
52
Imaging
41
Features
63
Overall
49

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P900 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
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Later Model is Canon SX510 HS
Nikon P900
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-2000mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 899g - 140 x 103 x 137mm
  • Released March 2015
  • Later Model is Nikon P1000
Photography Glossary

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P900 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon P900, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the P900 (16MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was launched 3 years prior to the P900 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon P900 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SX500 IS scores vs the P900 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon P900

 SX500 IS P900 

Reasons to pick Nikon P900 over the Canon SX500 IS

 P900 SX500 IS 
ReleasedMarch 2015August 2012Fresher by 30 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k461kCrisper screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon P900

 SX500 IS P900 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P900 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX500 IS offers outside dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Nikon P900 has sizing of 140mm x 103mm x 137mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 5.4") accompanied by a weight of 899 grams (1.98 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon P900 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SX500 IS against the P900.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P900 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and P900 is 80 and 52 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P900 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P900 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The graphic here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and P900.

Clearly, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures though you will want to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The older SX500 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P900 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P900 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography information
Nikon P900 Portrait photography information
46
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/1,600s)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
44
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography information
Nikon P900 Street photography information
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
45
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than average (899g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography information
Nikon P900 Sports photography information
44
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (195 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
56
long zoom range (24-2000mm 83.3 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
great battery (360 shots)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon P900 as a Travel photography camera
59
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
no Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (195 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
60
great battery (360 shots)
connects via bluetooth
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (2000mm)
heavier than average (899 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon P900 as a Landscape photography camera
46
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery pack (195 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
51
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
great battery (360 shots)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging advice
Nikon P900 Vlogging advice
28
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
54
quite wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no mic support
heavier than average (899 grams)
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Nikon P900
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISNikon Coolpix P900
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Nikon Coolpix P900
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-08-21 2015-03-02
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-2000mm (83.3x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 921 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 11.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/1600s -
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 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p) 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Yes
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341 gr (0.75 pounds) 899 gr (1.98 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 140 x 103 x 137mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 5.4")
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 photos 360 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L EN-EL23
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $299 $600