Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1
80 Imaging
40 Features
40 Overall
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61 Imaging
82 Features
93 Overall
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1 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
- Replacement is Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
- 50MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 7680 x 4320 video
- Sony E Mount
- 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
- Launched January 2021
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Canon SX500 IS versus Sony a1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Canon and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and a1 (50MP) and the SX500 IS (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) feature different sensor dimensions.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe SX500 IS was unveiled 9 years prior to the a1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before going through a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SX500 IS matches up vs the a1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Sony Alpha a1. The full galleries are available at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Sony a1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Sony a1
SX500 IS | a1 |
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Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Canon SX500 IS
a1 | SX500 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2021 | August 2012 | More recent by 102 months | |
Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
Display resolution | 1440k | 461k | Sharper display (+979k dot) | |
Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Sony a1
SX500 IS | a1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | Dial exact focus | |||
Display sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent display sizing | |
Selfie screen | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison
If you are going to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS comes with exterior dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Sony a1 has specifications of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX500 IS versus Sony a1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX500 IS against the a1.
Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and a1 is 80 and 61 respectively.
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specs. The visual below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and a1.
All in all, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SX500 IS using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF harder and the Sony a1 will deliver more detail having an extra 34MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images far more aggressively. The older SX500 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Sony Alpha a1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Sony Alpha a1 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Pro Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2012-08-21 | 2021-01-26 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 50MP |
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 | 8640 x 5760 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 32000 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 102400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 1 | 759 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | - |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 133 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 461 thousand dots | 1,440 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 9,437 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.9x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Max quiet shutter speed | - | 1/32000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 30.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/1600 secs | 1/400 secs |
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) | 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 7680x4320 |
Video data format | H.264 | XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | Yes |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 341 gr (0.75 lbs) | 737 gr (1.62 lbs) |
Dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
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 photographs | 530 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-6L | NP-FZ100 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported) |
Card slots | One | 2 |
Retail price | $299 | $6,498 |