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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
80
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs

Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Refreshed by Canon SX510 HS
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Here is a complete overview of the Canon SX500 IS versus Panasonic ZR1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and ZR1 (12MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was released 3 years later than the ZR1 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SX500 IS matches up versus the ZR1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Panasonic ZR1

 SX500 IS ZR1 
ReleasedAugust 2012July 2009Fresher by 38 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Canon SX500 IS

 ZR1 SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic ZR1

 SX500 IS ZR1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS provides outside 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 ZR1 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX500 IS versus Panasonic ZR1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the SX500 IS against the ZR1.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and ZR1 is 80 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by reviewing technical specs. The visual here will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX500 IS and ZR1.

As you have seen, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can expect to see the Canon SX500 IS to deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The fresher SX500 IS should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography factors
46
manual focus
high flash sync (1/1,600s)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography highlights
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
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 Panasonic ZR1
45
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (195 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
60
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (195 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
57
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography info
46
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery power (195 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
32
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging highlights
28
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic support
28
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic ZR1
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Also called - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-08-21 2009-07-27
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Venus Engine V
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 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 1 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 5.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 341 gr (0.75 pounds) 158 gr (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $299 $280