Canon SX500 IS vs Sigma DP1
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39


87 Imaging
43 Features
30 Overall
37
Canon SX500 IS vs Sigma DP1 Key Specs
(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
- Updated by Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
- 5MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 800
- No Video
- 28mm (F) lens
- 270g - 113 x 60 x 50mm
- Launched May 2008
- Replacement is Sigma DP1s

Canon SX500 IS vs Sigma DP1 Overview
On this page, we will be looking at the Canon SX500 IS vs Sigma DP1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Sigma. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and DP1 (5MP) and the SX500 IS (1/2.3") and DP1 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

The SX500 IS was revealed 4 years after the DP1 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SX500 IS matches up against the DP1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sigma DP1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and Sigma DP1. The full galleries are provided at Canon SX500 IS Gallery and Sigma DP1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Sigma DP1
SX500 IS | DP1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2012 | ![]() | May 2008 | Newer by 52 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 over the Canon SX500 IS
DP1 | SX500 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Sigma DP1
SX500 IS | DP1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch screen |
Canon SX500 IS vs Sigma DP1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX500 IS comes with exterior dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP1 has proportions of 113mm x 60mm x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs).
See the Canon SX500 IS vs Sigma DP1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the SX500 IS and the DP1.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and DP1 is 80 and 87 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sigma DP1 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading specifications. The pic here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and DP1.
To sum up, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SX500 IS using its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Canon SX500 IS will offer greater detail because of its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots more aggressively. The newer SX500 IS is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sigma DP1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sigma DP1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Sigma DP1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Sigma |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Sigma DP1 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Large Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2012-08-21 | 2008-05-19 |
Physical type | Compact | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS (Foveon X3) |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 20.7 x 13.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 285.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 5 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 2640 x 1760 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 800 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 28mm (1x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | - |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.7 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.5 inch |
Display resolution | 461k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/1600s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video format | H.264 | - |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 341 grams (0.75 pounds) | 270 grams (0.60 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 113 x 60 x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 pictures | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC card |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $299 | $566 |