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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 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
  • Released August 2012
  • Successor is Canon SX510 HS
Sony S2100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-105mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 61 x 27mm
  • Released January 2010
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 Overview

The following is a extensive analysis of the Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and S2100 (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was launched 2 years after the S2100 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the SX500 IS grades versus the S2100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Sony S2100

 SX500 IS S2100 
ReleasedAugust 2012January 2010Newer by 32 months
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S2100 over the Canon SX500 IS

 S2100 SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Sony S2100

 SX500 IS S2100 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX500 IS enjoys outer dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) while the Sony S2100 has sizing of 98mm x 61mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SX500 IS against the S2100.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and S2100 is 80 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specs. The image underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and S2100.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SX500 IS to deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The more recent SX500 IS should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography advice
Sony S2100 Portrait photography advice
46
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/1,600s)
decent megapixels (16MP)
features face detection focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography advice
Sony S2100 Street photography advice
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
46
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony S2100 as a Sports photography camera
44
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (195 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
17
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200s)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography information
Sony S2100 Travel photography information
59
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (195 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.4)
50
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX500 IS
Landscape photography with Sony S2100
46
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery power (195 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
27
screen size is good (3 inch)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX500 IS
Vlogging with Sony S2100
28
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic support
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Sony S2100
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-08-21 2010-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 33-105mm (3.2x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 1 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/1600 seconds -
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341 gr (0.75 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 98 x 61 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, optional SD, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $299 $0