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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LS5 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
  • Released August 2012
  • Later Model is Canon SX510 HS
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic LS5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is pretty close and they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was brought out 14 months later than the LS5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the SX500 IS scores vs the LS5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Panasonic LS5

 SX500 IS LS5 
AnnouncedAugust 2012July 2011More recent by 14 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Canon SX500 IS

 LS5 SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic LS5

 SX500 IS LS5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX500 IS has got physical dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) while the Panasonic LS5 has dimensions of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic LS5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SX500 IS versus the LS5.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and LS5 is 80 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements purely by looking through technical specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and LS5.

As you can tell, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should expect the Canon SX500 IS to render extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The younger SX500 IS provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX500 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic LS5
46
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/1,600s)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides face detect focus
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
33
good megapixels (14MP)
offers face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Street photography camera
51
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic LS5 Sports photography highlights
44
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (195 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
32
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (160 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography info
Panasonic LS5 Travel photography info
59
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery (195 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
65
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery power (160 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography info
Panasonic LS5 Landscape photography info
46
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery (195 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
36
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery power (160 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Vlogging camera
28
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
32
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic LS5
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-08-21 2011-07-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/1600s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341g (0.75 pounds) 126g (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 160 shots
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery model NB-6L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $299 $294