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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1

Portability
80
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1 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
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Replacement is Canon SX510 HS
Sony a1
(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
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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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Sony a1

 SX500 IS a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Canon SX500 IS

 a1 SX500 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2021August 2012More recent by 102 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k461kSharper 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 sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography info
Sony a1 Portrait photography info
46
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/1,600 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
89
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/400 seconds)
high MP (50 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography features
Sony a1 Street photography features
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
includes focus via touch
environment proof
great high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography advice
Sony a1 Sports photography advice
45
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides tracking focus
low fps (1.0 fps)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (195 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
91
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high max fps (30.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (50MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography features
Sony a1 Travel photography features
60
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (195 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
74
good battery pack (530 per charge)
environment proof
has bluetooth
includes focus via touch
high MP (50 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX500 IS
Landscape photography with Sony a1
46
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery pack (195 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
88
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (50 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW files
environment proof
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX500 IS
Vlogging with Sony a1
28
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
37
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
high quality video (7680 x 4320 resolution)
has external microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Sony a1
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISSony 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