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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
36
Features
57
Overall
44

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 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
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Newer Model is Canon SX510 HS
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2015
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS60
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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic ZS50, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and ZS50 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was launched 3 years before the ZS50 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SX500 IS scores vs the ZS50 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Panasonic ZS50

 SX500 IS ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Canon SX500 IS

 ZS50 SX500 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2015August 2012Newer by 28 months
Display resolution1040k461kCrisper display (+579k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic ZS50

 SX500 IS ZS50 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX500 IS provides exterior 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 Panasonic ZS50 has proportions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic ZS50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the SX500 IS vs the ZS50.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and ZS50 is 80 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions just by looking through a spec sheet. The pic below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX500 IS and ZS50.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Canon SX500 IS to result in extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged SX500 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography info
46
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/1,600s)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
41
you can focus manually
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography factors
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
68
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average in class (243g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX500 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS50
44
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery power (195 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
43
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Travel photography camera
59
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery power (195 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
66
lighter than average in class (243g)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography info
46
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery power (195 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
51
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX500 IS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS50
28
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
34
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (243g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone support
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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic ZS50
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-08-21 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD 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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 1 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/1600 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341 gr (0.75 pounds) 243 gr (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 44
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 138
Other
Battery life 195 photographs 300 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $299 $350