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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S31

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S31 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
  • Successor is Canon SX510 HS
Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Announced June 2013
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S31 Overview

The following is a comprehensive assessment of the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon S31, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Nikon. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and S31 (10MP) and the SX500 IS (1/2.3") and S31 (1/2.9") posses different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The SX500 IS was released 10 months earlier than the S31 and they are of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SX500 IS matches up vs the S31 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon S31

 SX500 IS S31 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Canon SX500 IS

 S31 SX500 IS 
AnnouncedJune 2013August 2012Newer by 10 months

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon S31

 SX500 IS S31 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S31 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX500 IS features outer dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Nikon S31 has measurements of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Check the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon S31 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX500 IS and the S31.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S31 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and S31 is 80 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S31 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S31 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing specifications. The pic underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and S31.

Plainly, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SX500 IS featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Canon SX500 IS will produce more detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics more aggressively. The more aged SX500 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S31 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S31 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S31 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography factors
Nikon S31 Portrait photography factors
46
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/1,600s)
good MP (16MP)
has face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.9")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography info
Nikon S31 Street photography info
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
52
weather sealing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.9")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography features
Nikon S31 Sports photography features
44
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (195 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
24
weather sealing
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.9")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon S31 Travel photography advice
59
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low battery power (195 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.4)
59
weather sealing
built-in flash
fast maximum aperture (f)
does not have Timelapse recording
MP count low (10MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (29mm)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S31 as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery power (195 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
30
fast maximum aperture (f)
weather sealing
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.9")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging advice
Nikon S31 Vlogging advice
28
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
24
fast maximum aperture (f)
wide angle not great (29mm)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S31 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Nikon S31
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISNikon Coolpix S31
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Nikon Coolpix S31
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2012-08-21 2013-06-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.9"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.96 x 3.72mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 18.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 1 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.8 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 7.3
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/1600 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 -
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341 gr (0.75 lbs) 185 gr (0.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 260 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD / SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $299 $90