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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P950

Portability
80
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P950 front
Portability
52
Imaging
43
Features
70
Overall
53

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P950 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
  • Announced August 2012
  • New Model is Canon SX510 HS
Nikon P950
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-2000mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 1005g - 140 x 110 x 150mm
  • Released January 2020
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P950 Overview

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P950, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the P950 (16MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was launched 8 years before the P950 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon P950 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SX500 IS scores vs the P950 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon P950

 SX500 IS P950 

Reasons to pick Nikon P950 over the Canon SX500 IS

 P950 SX500 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2020August 2012More modern by 89 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution921k461kCrisper screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon P950

 SX500 IS P950 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P950 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS provides 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 P950 has specifications of 140mm x 110mm x 150mm (5.5" x 4.3" x 5.9") accompanied by a weight of 1005 grams (2.22 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P950 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the SX500 IS versus the P950.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P950 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and P950 is 80 and 52 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P950 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P950 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through technical specs. The picture here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX500 IS and P950.

As you have seen, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of files though you will want to take the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged SX500 IS will be behind in sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P950 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P950 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography advice
Nikon P950 Portrait photography advice
46
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/1,600s)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
57
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography advice
Nikon P950 Street photography advice
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
53
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (1,005g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography details
Nikon P950 Sports photography details
45
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (195 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
54
long zoom range (24-2000mm 83.3 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon P950 Travel photography advice
60
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (195 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.4)
59
supports bluetooth
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (2000mm)
heavier than average in class (1,005 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography details
Nikon P950 Landscape photography details
46
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery power (195 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
55
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon P950 Vlogging highlights
28
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
59
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external mic port
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than average in class (1,005 grams)
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon P950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Nikon P950
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISNikon Coolpix P950
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Nikon Coolpix P950
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-08-21 2020-01-07
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
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
Total focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-2000mm (83.3x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 90%
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 300 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 11.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/1600 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, AAC
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) EN-EL20a lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 341 grams (0.75 lbs) 1005 grams (2.22 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 140 x 110 x 150mm (5.5" x 4.3" x 5.9")
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 images 290 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $299 $797