Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39


95 Imaging
39 Features
26 Overall
33
Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and Nikon Coolpix S5200. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX500 IS Gallery and Nikon S5200 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon S5200
SX500 IS | S5200 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2012 | ![]() | January 2013 | Same generation |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S5200 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Nikon 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 |