Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39
![Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Canon-PowerShot-SX500-IS/Canon-SX500-IS-front.jpg)
![Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LX5/Panasonic-LX5-front.jpg)
88 Imaging
35 Features
44 Overall
38
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 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
- Revealed August 2012
- New Model is Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
- 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
- Revealed December 2011
- Superseded the Panasonic LX3
- Later Model is Panasonic LX7
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 Overview
Let's look a little more closely at the Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Panasonic. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and LX5 (10MP) and the SX500 IS (1/2.3") and LX5 (1/1.63") provide different sensor dimensions.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
The SX500 IS was revealed 9 months later than the LX5 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SX500 IS matches up against the LX5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5. The full galleries are available at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Panasonic LX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Panasonic LX5
SX500 IS | LX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2012 | ![]() | December 2011 | Fresher by 9 months |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Canon SX500 IS
LX5 | SX500 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic LX5
SX500 IS | LX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX500 IS comes with 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) whilst the Panasonic LX5 has measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).
See the Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SX500 IS compared to the LX5.
![Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 size comparison Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX500-IS-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LX5-size-comparison.jpg)
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and LX5 is 80 and 88 respectively.
![Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 top view buttons comparison Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX500-IS-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LX5-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over a spec sheet. The graphic here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and LX5.
As you can see, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SX500 IS with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Canon SX500 IS will offer you more detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The fresher SX500 IS provides a benefit in sensor technology.
![Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 sensor size comparison Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX500-IS-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LX5-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and ViewFinder
![Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX500-IS-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LX5-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic LX5 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2012-08-21 | 2011-12-15 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.63" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 8.07 x 5.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 44.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 1 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 24-90mm (3.8x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/2.0-3.3 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 4.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 461k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 60 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 7.20 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/1600 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | AVCHD Lite |
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 341g (0.75 lb) | 271g (0.60 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 41 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 19.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 10.8 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 132 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 195 photographs | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-6L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at release | $299 | $294 |