Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung NX500 – A Deep Dive Into Two Distinct Cameras for Your Creative Journey

Choosing the right camera is a pivotal step for any photographer or content creator. Whether you're just starting, pursuing a hobby, or working professionally, understanding the strengths and limitations of your tools can elevate your craft dramatically. Today, we'll explore two very different yet notable cameras: the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS, a compact superzoom announced in 2012, and the Samsung NX500, an entry-level mirrorless camera introduced in 2015.

While at first glance, they serve different purposes, this comparison will help you weigh their capabilities side-by-side, revealing how each can meet specific photographic aspirations, workflows, and budgets.

Let's embark on this comprehensive review - grounded in our years of hands-on testing, technical analysis, and real-world usage - to guide you toward the camera that best fits your creative vision.

Getting to Know the Cameras: Overview and Body Design

Before diving into specifications, it’s useful to establish each camera’s class and intended use.

• Canon SX500 IS: A compact superzoom camera with a fixed 30x zoom lens (24-720mm equivalent), targeted toward casual shooters needing long reach in a pocketable package.
• Samsung NX500: An entry-level mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor, capable of interchangeable lenses and advanced image quality, catering to enthusiasts exploring manual controls and higher performance.

Size, Weight, and Handling

Ergonomics influence your shooting experience greatly. Let’s compare their physicality.

The Canon SX500 IS is more compact but thicker, with a fixed lens protruding prominently. It fits easily in larger pockets or bags and is simple to operate with one hand. In contrast, the Samsung NX500, despite its larger footprint in length and height, is slimmer and lighter. Its mirrorless design emphasizes versatility - lenses change the handling profile, but the camera body feels solid and balanced for more deliberate shooting.

If portability and ease of carry top your list, the SX500 is ideal. If you want a camera you can grow into with different lenses without bulk, NX500’s design is more ergonomic for extended shoots.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Your Photos

Sensor size and technology are crucial factors affecting image sharpness, noise performance, dynamic range, and ultimate quality.

Canon SX500 IS Sensor Details

• Sensor Type: CCD (Charge Coupled Device)
• Size: 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
• Resolution: 16 MP
• ISO Range: 80 to 1600 native
• Anti-alias filter: Yes
• RAW support: No

Samsung NX500 Sensor Details

• Sensor Type: BSI-CMOS (Back-Side Illuminated CMOS)
• Size: APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm)
• Resolution: 28 MP
• ISO Range: 100 to 25600 native (expands to 51200)
• Anti-alias filter: No
• RAW support: Yes

The impressive difference in sensor size drastically influences image quality. The APS-C sensor in the NX500 is roughly 13x larger in area. Larger sensors gather more light, produce better dynamic range, and perform significantly better in low-light conditions. The Samsung’s BSI-CMOS sensor architecture also offers more efficient light capture compared to traditional CCDs.

In practical terms:

• Low-light and high ISO shooting: The NX500 excels, maintaining cleaner images with less noise than the SX500, which tops out at ISO 1600.
• Dynamic range and color depth: Samsung’s NX500 scored 87 in DxOMark overall, with a color depth of 24.8 bits and dynamic range of 13.9 EV, significantly surpassing what a compact CCD sensor can achieve.
• Raw files and post-processing flexibility: Only the NX500 supports RAW files, critical for professionals and serious post-processing enthusiasts.

For landscapes, portraits, or indoor shooting where image quality is paramount, the NX500 holds a considerable advantage. The SX500’s smaller sensor limits its output to JPG with restricted editing latitude.

Lens and Zoom Capability: Reach versus Quality

Here’s where our cameras differ markedly in optical approach.

The Canon SX500 IS offers a massive 30x optical zoom, ideal for casual users who want one camera for far-reaching wildlife, sports, or travel snaps without carrying multiple lenses. Its optical image stabilization helps offset handshake at long zooms, making telephoto shots clearer.

The Samsung NX500 as a mirrorless system relies on interchangeable lenses. This flexibility enables you to choose super-sharp primes, ultra-wide landscapes, or telephoto zoom lenses with superior optics and apertures, but you need to invest in lenses separately and manage the extra weight.

If zoom reach out of the box is your priority - and you want simplicity - the SX500 is unmatched. If optical quality, creative control over depth of field, and lens variety matter more, the NX500 is a better path.

Autofocus and Speed: Capture the Moment with Confidence

Fast and reliable autofocus (AF) performance is essential across photography genres - from capturing fleeting wildlife action to crisp portraits.

The Canon SX500 IS’s autofocus is basic, focused on simplicity and ease. The single AF point limits tracking capability, and the lack of continuous autofocus restricts action shooting. However, it has face detection to assist casual portrait capture.

In contrast, the NX500 features a sophisticated hybrid autofocus combining phase and contrast detection across a dense 209-point array. This enables:

• Quick lock-on and precise tracking of moving subjects.
• Accurate AF in both photo and live view/video modes.
• Reliable continuous AF at a burst rate of 9 frames per second, making it suitable for sports, wildlife, and fast-action photography.

Our hands-on testing confirms that NX500’s AF system feels markedly snappier and more confident, reducing missed shots in dynamic scenarios.

Viewfinder, Display, and User Interface

Viewing and image review experiences significantly impact shooting enjoyment and efficiency.

The SX500 IS includes a fixed rear LCD of average brightness and resolution by today’s standards. While sufficient for framing in good light, it struggles outdoors and lacks the flexibility of tilting or touchscreen control.

The NX500 provides a higher resolution, tilting touchscreen preferred for awkward angles and touch focusing/shooting. This approach supports more intuitive operation, especially when manually adjusting settings or composing videos and selfies.

The lack of any viewfinder on either camera requires reliance on the LCD, but the NX500’s screen is clearly superior in usability and image preview detail.

Video Performance and Creative Flexibility

Video has become increasingly important for creative storytelling. Let’s look at how these cameras stack up.

The SX500 is limited to 720p HD video capture at 25 fps, suitable for casual clips but not advanced video use.

The NX500 supports UHD 4K video at 30 fps and DCI 4K at 24 fps, delivering a substantial upgrade in image quality and detail. It also encodes using the efficient H.265 codec, providing better compression and color depth. While it lacks microphone and headphone jacks - somewhat limiting audio control - its 4K capabilities open doors for cinematic content creation.

If video production is a serious consideration, the NX500 stands out as the clear winner.

Battery Life and Storage Convenience

Your camera’s stamina in the field affects shooting duration and convenience.

The Samsung NX500 outperforms the SX500 nearly twofold in terms of pictures per battery charge. This is significant for extended days, travel, or shoots away from power sources.

Both cameras use SD cards, so media availability and compatibility are straightforward.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or ruggedized features. Both require careful handling in harsh weather.

Build-wise, the NX500 has a more robust feel and precision in controls, while the SX500 focuses on lightness and portability.

Connectivity and Sharing

Connectivity options are increasingly important for instant sharing.

• Canon SX500 IS: Limited wireless connectivity with Eye-Fi card support only; no Bluetooth, NFC, or HDMI output.
• Samsung NX500: Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and HDMI port provide more modern connectivity and remote control possibilities using smartphones or external displays.

Image Samples and Real-World Application

To give you an idea of output, here’s a gallery of images taken under various conditions with both cameras. We'll point out differences you’ll notice in sharpness, noise, and color rendition.

Canon SX500 IS front Canon SX500 IS screen back Samsung NX500 front Samsung NX500 screen back

Look closely:

• Canon SX500 IS images exhibit decent color and zoom reach but show softness and noise in low light.
• Samsung NX500 offers sharper details, cleaner shadows, and better dynamic range, especially visible in landscape and portrait images.

Ratings at a Glance: Performance Scores

Here is a consolidated performance rating comparison based on our technical testing and DxOMark data (where available).

The Samsung NX500 secures higher scores across dynamic range, color, autofocus, and video capabilities, reflecting its modern sensor and technology. The Canon SX500 IS scores lower, indicating its positioning as a basic superzoom camera.

Genre-Specific Strengths: What Does Each Camera Excel At?

Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS if you:

• Want an affordable, superzoom, easy-to-carry travel camera.
• Prefer all-in-one convenience without changing lenses.
• Are a casual photographer or beginner interested in capturing distant subjects without complicated controls.
• Have budget constraints under $300.

Choose the Samsung NX500 if you:

• Seek excellent image quality from a large APS-C sensor.
• Desire creative control with interchangeable lenses.
• Need fast autofocus and high burst shooting for wildlife, sports, or events.
• Plan to shoot video in 4K or want more post-processing flexibility via RAW files.
• Are ready to invest in a system camera around $800 and expand your kit over time.

Final Thoughts: Matching Your Next Camera to Your Vision

Our side-by-side analysis reveals a stark contrast between a basic compact superzoom and a capable mirrorless system camera from the mid-2010s.

• The Canon SX500 IS is perfectly suited as a beginner-friendly travel companion, offering a simple all-in-one package with impressive zoom reach, but is limited by small sensor technology and modest low-light performance.

• The Samsung NX500 delivers advanced imaging, versatile system expansion, and excellent performance that can serve enthusiasts and professionals seeking an accessible mirrorless option with strong photo and video capability.

We encourage you to consider your photography style, budget, and future growth plans when selecting between these models.

If possible, handle both in person to feel ergonomics and ease of operation, and check sample images to align with your quality expectations.

Whatever you choose, these cameras represent stepping stones on your creative path; equip yourself wisely, and happy shooting!

We hope this detailed comparison armed you with valuable insights to make an informed decision tailored to your photographic needs.