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Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax XG-1 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
  • Announced August 2012
  • Newer Model is Canon SX510 HS
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Introduced July 2014
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Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Canon SX500 IS and Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was introduced 23 months before the XG-1 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX500 IS scores vs the XG-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Pentax XG-1

 SX500 IS XG-1 
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Canon SX500 IS

 XG-1 SX500 IS 
IntroducedJuly 2014August 2012More modern by 23 months

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Pentax XG-1

 SX500 IS XG-1 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS enjoys physical measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) while the Pentax XG-1 has specifications of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX500 IS and Pentax XG-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the SX500 IS and the XG-1.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and XG-1 is 80 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over technical specs. The image underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX500 IS and XG-1.

As you can tell, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact MP and you can expect similar quality of photos but you should take the age of the products into consideration. The more aged SX500 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography details
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography details
46
you can focus manually
above average flash sync (1/1,600 seconds)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
40
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography highlights
Pentax XG-1 Street photography highlights
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than competition (567 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography features
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography features
44
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (195 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX500 IS
Travel photography with Pentax XG-1
59
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
no Timelapse function
low battery life (195 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
52
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (1248mm)
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (567 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX500 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax XG-1
46
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery life (195 shots)
no Timelapse function
45
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX500 IS
Vlogging with Pentax XG-1
28
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
25
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (567 grams)
Photography Glossary

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Pentax XG-1
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISPentax XG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Pentax XG-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-08-21 2014-07-15
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dots
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341g (0.75 lbs) 567g (1.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos 240 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L LB-060
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 slots 1 1
Retail cost $299 $599