Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung EX2F: A Thorough Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

When facing the choice between two compact cameras from the early 2010s - the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and the Samsung EX2F - it pays to dive beyond the spec sheets and marketing hype. Both launched in the same era yet aimed at slightly different user needs and photography styles. Over years of testing countless models, I’ve found the devil in the details, especially when it comes to real-world versatility and performance. So, let’s unpack these two, comparing them not just on paper but through the lens of hands-on experience across all major photography disciplines.

Size and Handling: What Fits Your Hand and Your Lifestyle?

First impressions count - and with cameras you often decide based on feel and ergonomics. The Canon SX500 IS, weighing around 341 grams and measuring 104x70x80mm, feels a bit chunky compared to the Samsung EX2F’s sleeker 294 grams and a more pocketable 112x62x29mm body. You can see this size and ergonomic difference clearly here:

The Canon’s bulk comes mostly from its sizable 30x zoom lens, whereas the Samsung is compact with a sharper focus on image quality over zoom reach. If you prefer a camera that slips easily into your jacket pocket or purse without feeling bulky, the EX2F certainly wins in portability.

Control layout and top ergonomics also tell a story. Canon follows a familiar route with well-spaced buttons and a solid grip, ideal for longer shooting sessions or travel when you need steadiness. Conversely, Samsung’s EX2F offers a more minimalist top plate but with intuitive controls that reward those who appreciate simplicity without sacrificing manual control.

This tactile difference can influence how spontaneous or deliberate your shooting feels - the Canon invites steady, zoom-rich shooting, while Samsung nudges you toward thoughtful composition and fast operation.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

There’s no denying sensor size hugely impacts image quality. The Canon SX500 IS features a 1/2.3” CCD sensor with 16MP resolution, while the EX2F boasts a larger 1/1.7” BSI-CMOS sensor at 12MP. It might seem odd that the Canon packs more pixels, but sensor technology and size matter more than the megapixel count alone.

Check out this side-by-side sensor size comparison that really illustrates why the Samsung has an edge in image quality potential:

The larger sensor area of about 41.5 mm² in the EX2F versus Canon’s 28 mm² gives Samsung’s camera a vital advantage in low noise, dynamic range, and color fidelity. Plus, the BSI-CMOS architecture excels in gathering light efficiently, contrasting the older CCD tech in the Canon.

In practical terms, you’ll notice Canon’s images sometimes fall short in shadow detail and show more grain at ISO 800 and above, where Samsung’s EX2F maintains better clarity and smoother gradients up to ISO 1600 and even 3200 in some conditions. For landscape photographers and those shooting challenging lighting, that extra sensor size and noise performance translate into cleaner, punchier images.

Display and User Interface: Navigating Your Creative Workflow

The Canon SX500 sports a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 461k-dot resolution; the Samsung EX2F, meanwhile, uses a fully articulated 3-inch AMOLED screen - quite a treat for composition flexibility and viewing in bright sunlight. The AMOLED display pops with vibrant colors and deep blacks, useful both in live view shooting and reviewing your work.

What’s more, the EX2F supports an optional electronic viewfinder, valuable for steady shots under bright conditions or more traditional framing - a feature absent from the Canon. This flexibility benefits street and travel photographers who need adaptability on the go.

In terms of interface, Canon’s Digic 4 processor keeps menus responsive but leans towards basic. Samsung’s controls, while minimalist, feel snappy and user-friendly. Both support manual exposure modes - priority and full manual - but Samsung’s focus on manual control is a bit more polished, reflecting in a smoother creative experience.

Zoom vs. Speed: Which Lens Fits Your Photography Style?

Canon’s real standout spec is the incredible 30x zoom at 24-720 mm equivalent, though it’s a modest max aperture of f/3.4-5.8. This reach is great if you’re into wildlife or sports photography on a budget, where distance is key.

Samsung, on the other hand, limits zoom to 24-80mm but offers an astonishingly bright lens - f/1.4 at the wide end, f/2.7 at telephoto. This fast aperture is a rare luxury in compact cameras and dramatically enhances low-light and portrait shooting, allowing shallower depth-of-field and better bokeh, a point I’ll return to shortly.

Neither camera offers interchangeable lenses (both have fixed lenses), so you’re committing to their built-in optics. Canon’s zoom flexibility is compelling for outdoor enthusiasts needing reach.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Here’s where differences sharpen. The Canon SX500’s autofocus relies on a single point with some basic face detection and contrast detection AF - adequate but not speedy or particularly accurate. It also lacks continuous autofocus for video or burst shooting above 1fps, limiting its usefulness for action photography.

Samsung EX2F similarly uses contrast detection AF, but I found its system faster and more accurate under most lighting thanks to its newer sensor and processor. Although continuous AF isn’t available either, the EX2F offers a quicker startup and snappier response, making it better for candid street and travel shots.

The Canon’s 1fps burst is quite sluggish compared to modern standards. Samsung doesn’t publicly specify continuous shooting speed, but in practice, it offers faster capture sequences, helping in dynamic shooting scenarios.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Sharp on the Move

Both cameras include optical image stabilization (OIS). While neither is advanced by today’s standards, Canon’s OIS effectively counteracts handshake during telephoto shots, crucial for that 720mm reach. Samsung’s stabilization pairs well with the bright lens to help in low-light handheld shooting, especially wide-angle.

For video, OIS in both reduces blur but can’t fully compensate for fast motion or quick handheld pans. Neither offers sensor-shift or in-body stabilization technologies common in newer cameras.

Video Capabilities: HD Choices for Casual Filmmakers

If you’re dabbling in video, the Samsung EX2F holds a clear lead with full HD 1920×1080 recording at 30fps while Canon tops out at 1280×720 25fps. Video quality on Samsung benefits from its bright lens and superior sensor, producing clearer footage in low light and smoother motion.

Neither camera includes microphone inputs or headphone outputs, limiting audio flexibility. Samsung provides HDMI output, helpful for external viewing or recording, a convenience Canon’s SX500 lacks.

Neither supports advanced video modes like 4K or slow motion, keeping them squarely in the casual video category. But for quick HD clips that look good with minimal fuss, Samsung is preferable.

Battery Performance and Connectivity

Canon’s NB-6L battery offers around 195 shots per charge, a fairly modest figure that might necessitate spares on extended trips. Samsung’s SLB-10A battery life isn’t officially quoted, but in practice I found it comparable or slightly better, helped by more efficient AMOLED screen power management.

Connectivity-wise, Canon supports Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless transfer but lacks built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Samsung’s EX2F includes built-in Wi-Fi for direct image sharing, a perk if you want to quickly upload photos to your smartphone without cables.

Both cameras rely on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, facilitating easy storage upgrades.

Durability and Build Quality: Handling the Elements?

Neither camera boasts weather sealing or rugged construction. Both are typical compact cameras designed for general usage but not professional fieldwork under harsh conditions. If you often shoot outdoors in challenging weather, you’d need to consider external protection or a more dedicated model.

Practical Performance Across Photography Genres

Now, let’s break down how these cameras perform in specific photographic niches, drawing on extensive shoot sessions and controlled testing environments.

Portrait Photography

Portrait shooters will appreciate the EX2F’s bright f/1.4 lens allowing attractive background separation and creamy bokeh. Canon’s narrow aperture at tele ends means flatter backgrounds except when zoomed far out, but more noise in low light.

Face detection autofocus on the Canon works decently but can hunt indoors. Samsung lacks face detection but compensates with quicker AF and the ability to underexpose highlights better.

Skin tones on Samsung exhibit richer color reproduction thanks to superior color depth scores (20 bits vs. unknown on Canon), resulting in natural, pleasant rendering. Canon’s images look neutral but less nuanced.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, high resolution and dynamic range are key. Canon’s 16MP sensor offers extra resolution, visible when cropping or printing very large. But consider the tradeoff in base ISO image noise.

Dynamic range leans toward Samsung’s advantage (11.5 EV vs. untested Canon), capturing more shadow and highlight details. The lens sharpness on Samsung is great at 24mm but zoom limitations can restrict framing options.

Neither camera is weather-sealed - so cautious in adverse elements.

Wildlife Photography

Canon’s extensive 30x zoom really shines here. Photographers looking to stalk birds or distant subjects will value reaching 720mm equivalence, even if image quality softens at long zoom ranges beyond f/5.6 aperture.

Samsung’s 3.3x zoom is a drawback for wildlife - subject size and detail can be compromised. Autofocus speed and tracking accuracy favor neither camera especially for fast wildlife; both rely on contrast detection.

Sports Photography

Sports shooters crave quick focus and fast frame rates. Neither camera excels here, but the Samsung’s snappier startup and slightly better continuous shooting make it marginally better for capturing fleeting moments.

Canon’s slow 1fps burst rate will frustrate most sports users, and neither camera has advanced tracking AF.

Street Photography

Street photographers often prize discretion and speed over zoom. Samsung’s compact size, silent operation, and bright lens allow for expressive, low-light candid shots. The articulating screen helps in shooting high or low angles unconventionally.

Canon’s large zoom can attract unwanted attention; plus, slower AF and bulkier size impede quick grab shots typical of street work.

Macro Photography

Canon’s macro mode allows focusing as close as 1cm, helpful for tight close-ups, while Samsung’s macro focus range isn’t specified, generally not optimized for extreme close-ups.

However, Samsung’s stabilized bright lens and better manual focus precision provide finer control in close shooting.

Night and Astrophotography

Samsung’s superior high ISO performance (ISO 3200 support with less noise) and brighter lens favor night scenes and starfield photography. Canon maxes at ISO 1600 with more grain and lower dynamic range.

Neither model offers specialized astro modes, but Samsung’s better noise control and manual exposure settings help significantly.

Video Work

Samsung’s full HD advantage and HDMI output offer better video portfolio for casual filmmaking and vlogging. Canon’s 720p video, fixed display, and lack of external mics limit creative video options.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

If you are a professional or advanced enthusiast reliant on RAW files, the Samsung EX2F supports RAW capture, enabling extensive post-processing flexibility. Canon SX500 IS shoots only JPEG, limiting adjustments and quality retention.

File handling speeds favor Samsung’s more modern processor and storage interfaces, speeding workflow. Neither camera supports tethered shooting or professional-grade workflow integrations.

For reliability, both cameras perform consistently for casual professional use but lack the ruggedness and speed needed for professional heavy-duty applications.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: What’s the Best Bang for Your Buck?

When these cameras first launched, Canon SX500 was priced around $299 while Samsung EX2F was closer to $478. The cheaper Canon offers outstanding zoom range but compromises on sensor quality, video, and manual controls.

Samsung demands a premium but returns improved image quality, better low light, video capabilities, and a more versatile experience for general photography.

Considering their current market position in used gear, if your priority is zoom versatility on a budget, Canon SX500 remains attractive. For better overall photo quality, manual control, and flexible video, Samsung EX2F is a worthwhile investment.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Matches Your Style?

With all factors in play, here’s how I’d summarize based on your needs:

• Choose Canon SX500 IS if you want an affordable, easy-to-use superzoom compact for travel and wildlife snapshots where zoom reach trumps quality, and video isn’t critical. It’s a straightforward tool for casual shooters who value telephoto reach over most other factors.

• Choose Samsung EX2F if you want superior image quality, faster lenses, and useful video in a compact package better suited for portraits, landscapes, street, and casual professional work. Its RAW ability and articulated screen also make it a more creative tool for enthusiasts.

Both cameras reflect their era but serve different niches remarkably well. If I had to pick one for my own daily walkaround today, the Samsung EX2F’s balance and image quality would earn my vote - especially given emphasis on quality over zoom and video versatility.

Yet, Canon’s SX500 is a workhorse for those prioritizing reach in an all-in-one compact. Whichever you choose, knowing the tradeoffs ensures you’re investing in the tool that best fits your photography journey.

Thank you for reading this detailed comparison. If you want to see sample images and real-world performance tests, check out the gallery below featuring photos from both cameras side-by-side.

Canon SX500 IS front Canon SX500 IS screen back Samsung EX2F front Samsung EX2F screen back

I hope this in-depth review helps you find the camera best matched to your style and budget. Happy shooting!