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Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SH-1

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
53
Overall
44

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SH-1 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
  • Announced August 2012
  • Newer Model is Canon SX510 HS
Olympus SH-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Released March 2014
  • Replacement is Olympus SH-2
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Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SH-1 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Canon SX500 IS versus Olympus SH-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the SH-1 (16MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was unveiled 19 months before the SH-1 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SX500 IS grades against the SH-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Olympus SH-1

 SX500 IS SH-1 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display resolution461k460kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-1 over the Canon SX500 IS

 SH-1 SX500 IS 
ReleasedMarch 2014August 2012More modern by 19 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Olympus SH-1

 SX500 IS SH-1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SH-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS provides outside 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) and the Olympus SH-1 has specifications of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

See the Canon SX500 IS versus Olympus SH-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the SX500 IS vs the SH-1.

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SH-1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and SH-1 is 80 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SH-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SH-1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX500 IS and SH-1.

As you have seen, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP therefore you can expect similar quality of files although you should really consider the age of the products into consideration. The more aged SX500 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SH-1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SH-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SH-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography highlights
Olympus SH-1 Portrait photography highlights
46
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/1,600 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
36
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX500 IS
Street photography with Olympus SH-1
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with touch focus
lighter than others in class (271g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX500 IS
Sports photography with Olympus SH-1
44
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (195 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
50
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SH-1 as a Travel photography camera
59
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (195 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.4)
74
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
comes with touch focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography info
Olympus SH-1 Landscape photography info
46
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery power (195 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
49
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX500 IS
Vlogging with Olympus SH-1
28
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic port
37
decently wide (25mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone support
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
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Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus SH-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Olympus SH-1
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISOlympus Stylus SH-1
General Information
Make Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Olympus Stylus SH-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-08-21 2014-03-31
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 TruePic VII
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 1 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/1600 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 gr (0.75 lb) 271 gr (0.60 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
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 images 380 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $299 $349