Canon SX500 IS vs Sony RX100 VA

On this page, we are reviewing the Canon SX500 IS vs Sony RX100 VA, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the RX100 VA (20MP) is fairly close but the SX500 IS (1/2.3") and RX100 VA (1") offer different sensor sizing.

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The SX500 IS was released 6 years before the RX100 VA which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the SX500 IS grades versus the RX100 VA for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A). The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX500 IS Gallery and Sony RX100 VA Gallery.

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX500 IS has outer measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Sony RX100 VA has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") with a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX500 IS vs Sony RX100 VA in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the SX500 IS versus the RX100 VA.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and RX100 VA is 80 and 89 respectively.

Quite often, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes purely by viewing technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX500 IS and RX100 VA.

As you can tell, both of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SX500 IS featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF harder and the Sony RX100 VA will render more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The more aged SX500 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.