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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5200 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
26
Overall
33

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200 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
  • Released August 2012
  • Replacement is Canon SX510 HS
Nikon S5200
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-156mm (F) lens
  • 146g - 98 x 58 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon S5200, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the S5200 (16MP) is fairly close and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was manufactured 5 months prior to the S5200 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the SX500 IS grades versus the S5200 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon S5200

 SX500 IS S5200 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S5200 over the Canon SX500 IS

 S5200 SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon S5200

 SX500 IS S5200 
LaunchedAugust 2012January 2013Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX500 IS offers external dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Nikon S5200 has measurements of 98mm x 58mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon S5200 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the SX500 IS vs the S5200.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and S5200 is 80 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor measurements only by researching a spec sheet. The photograph below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and S5200.

Clearly, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact resolution so you should expect comparable quality of files however you will need to factor the production date of the cameras into account.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S5200 as a Portrait photography camera
46
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/1,600s)
good resolution (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
30
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX500 IS
Street photography with Nikon S5200
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
48
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography information
Nikon S5200 Sports photography information
44
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (195 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
27
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (160 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon S5200 Travel photography advice
59
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (195 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
68
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (160 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon S5200 Landscape photography highlights
46
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery (195 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
41
really wide (26mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery pack (160 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S5200 as a Vlogging camera
28
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
32
really wide (26mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of external microphone socket
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Nikon S5200
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISNikon Coolpix S5200
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Nikon Coolpix S5200
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-08-21 2013-01-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 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 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 1 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 26-156mm (6.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.8 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
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 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/1600 secs -
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
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 341 grams (0.75 pounds) 146 grams (0.32 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 98 x 58 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 160 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $299 $130