Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S9100
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39


91 Imaging
35 Features
41 Overall
37
Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S9100 Key Specs
(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
- Announced August 2012
- Refreshed by Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
- Released July 2011
- Newer Model is Nikon S9300

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S9100 Overview
Below is a comprehensive review of the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon S9100, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and S9100 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SX500 IS was brought out 14 months later than the S9100 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SX500 IS scores vs the S9100 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S9100 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and Nikon Coolpix S9100. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX500 IS Gallery and Nikon S9100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon S9100
SX500 IS | S9100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2012 | ![]() | July 2011 | More recent by 14 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Canon SX500 IS
S9100 | SX500 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon S9100
SX500 IS | S9100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S9100 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to lug around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS has got outer measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Nikon S9100 has specifications of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).
Check the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon S9100 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the SX500 IS versus the S9100.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and S9100 is 80 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S9100 Sensor Comparison
Often, its hard to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements merely by checking out specifications. The graphic underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX500 IS and S9100.
Plainly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Canon SX500 IS to produce greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent SX500 IS provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S9100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon S9100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Nikon Coolpix S9100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Nikon Coolpix S9100 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2012-08-21 | 2011-07-19 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-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 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 160 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 1 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 25-450mm (18.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 4cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 461k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 4.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/1600s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic 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 | 341 gr (0.75 lb) | 214 gr (0.47 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
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 pictures | 270 pictures |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-6L | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $299 | $329 |