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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5100

Portability
80
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5100 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
  • Newer Model is Canon SX510 HS
Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Revealed August 2010
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Overview

Below is a in depth comparison of the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon S5100, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Nikon. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and S5100 (12MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was introduced 2 years later than the S5100 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the SX500 IS grades vs the S5100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon S5100

 SX500 IS S5100 
RevealedAugust 2012August 2010More recent by 25 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Canon SX500 IS

 S5100 SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon S5100

 SX500 IS S5100 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX500 IS features exterior dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Nikon S5100 has dimensions of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon S5100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the SX500 IS compared to the S5100.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5100 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and S5100 is 80 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by reading specifications. The visual underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and S5100.

Plainly, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Canon SX500 IS to deliver more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots much more aggressively. The more modern SX500 IS will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography information
Nikon S5100 Portrait photography information
46
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/1,600 seconds)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
21
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography factors
Nikon S5100 Street photography factors
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (132 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX500 IS
Sports photography with Nikon S5100
45
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery life (195 shots)
has no phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography information
Nikon S5100 Travel photography information
60
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
no Time Lapse function
bad battery life (195 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
62
lighter than others (132 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX500 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon S5100
46
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery life (195 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
32
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX500 IS
Vlogging with Nikon S5100
28
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
31
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (132 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Nikon S5100
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISNikon Coolpix S5100
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Nikon Coolpix S5100
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-08-21 2010-08-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 1 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focus range 1cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/1600 seconds -
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341g (0.75 lb) 132g (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L EN-EL10
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $299 $200