Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus VH-515
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39


95 Imaging
36 Features
34 Overall
35
Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus VH-515 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
- Launched August 2012
- Newer Model is Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
- 152g - 102 x 60 x 21mm
- Launched August 2012

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus VH-515 Overview
Its time to look a little more in depth at the Canon SX500 IS versus Olympus VH-515, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Olympus. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and VH-515 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX500 IS was brought out within a month of the VH-515 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the SX500 IS grades versus the VH-515 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus VH-515 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Olympus VH-515. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Olympus VH-515 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Olympus VH-515
SX500 IS | VH-515 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus VH-515 over the Canon SX500 IS
VH-515 | SX500 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Olympus VH-515
SX500 IS | VH-515 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2012 | ![]() | August 2012 | Same age |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus VH-515 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS offers external measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) while the Olympus VH-515 has specifications of 102mm x 60mm x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") along with a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).
Look at the Canon SX500 IS versus Olympus VH-515 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the SX500 IS compared to the VH-515.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and VH-515 is 80 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus VH-515 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through specifications. The pic here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX500 IS and VH-515.
Plainly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SX500 IS to produce extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus VH-515 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Olympus VH-515 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Olympus VH-515 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Olympus |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Olympus VH-515 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2012-08-21 | 2012-08-21 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | TruePic III+ |
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 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 26-130mm (5.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/2.8-6.5 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 461k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 4.70 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/1600s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 341 grams (0.75 lbs) | 152 grams (0.34 lbs) |
Dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 102 x 60 x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 shots | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6L | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $299 | $648 |