Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39


93 Imaging
35 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 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
- Released August 2012
- Successor is Canon SX510 HS
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Sony S2100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Sony S2100
SX500 IS | S2100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2012 | ![]() | January 2010 | Newer by 32 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S2100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Sony 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 |