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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon D7100

Portability
80
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Nikon D7100 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
80
Overall
71

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon D7100 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
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Later Model is Canon SX510 HS
Nikon D7100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 765g - 136 x 107 x 76mm
  • Launched April 2013
  • Superseded the Nikon D7000
  • New Model is Nikon D7200
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon D7100 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon D7100, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and D7100 (24MP) and the SX500 IS (1/2.3") and D7100 (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.

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The SX500 IS was introduced 8 months before the D7100 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon D7100 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SX500 IS grades vs the D7100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon D7100

 SX500 IS D7100 

Reasons to pick Nikon D7100 over the Canon SX500 IS

 D7100 SX500 IS 
LaunchedApril 2013August 2012Fresher by 8 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1229k461kCrisper screen (+768k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon D7100

 SX500 IS D7100 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon D7100 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX500 IS offers physical measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) while the Nikon D7100 has dimensions of 136mm x 107mm x 76mm (5.4" x 4.2" x 3.0") having a weight of 765 grams (1.69 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon D7100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the SX500 IS versus the D7100.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon D7100 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and D7100 is 80 and 59 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon D7100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon D7100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing specs. The photograph here may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX500 IS and D7100.

All in all, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SX500 IS with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Nikon D7100 will provide extra detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The older SX500 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon D7100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon D7100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon D7100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D7100 as a Portrait photography camera
46
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/1,600 seconds)
MP count decent (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
79
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon D7100 as a Street photography camera
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography information
Nikon D7100 Sports photography information
45
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (195 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography factors
Nikon D7100 Travel photography factors
60
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery (195 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
66
environment proofing
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX500 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon D7100
46
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery (195 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
76
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no low pass filter
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging factors
Nikon D7100 Vlogging factors
28
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
30
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon D7100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Nikon D7100
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISNikon D7100
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Nikon D7100
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-08-21 2013-04-25
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 1 51
Cross type focus points - 15
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Nikon F
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.8 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 309
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 461k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.63x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/1600 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 341 gr (0.75 pounds) 765 gr (1.69 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 136 x 107 x 76mm (5.4" x 4.2" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 83
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1256
Other
Battery life 195 shots 950 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL15
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC x 2 slots
Storage slots One Two
Retail pricing $299 $800