Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39
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94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 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
- Launched August 2012
- Refreshed by Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- No Video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Revealed February 2009
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 Overview
In this write-up, we are reviewing the Canon SX500 IS versus Sony S950, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and S950 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").
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The SX500 IS was introduced 3 years after the S950 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SX500 IS matches up against the S950 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950. The whole galleries are available at Canon SX500 IS Gallery and Sony S950 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Sony S950
SX500 IS | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 43 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Canon SX500 IS
S950 | SX500 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Sony S950
SX500 IS | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | No Touch friendly display |
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX500 IS features outside measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Sony S950 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX500 IS versus Sony S950 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX500 IS compared to the S950.
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Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and S950 is 80 and 94 respectively.
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes simply by looking at a spec sheet. The image underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX500 IS and S950.
As you can see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Canon SX500 IS to resolve extra detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer SX500 IS provides a benefit in sensor technology.
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2012-08-21 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | - |
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 | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 1 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 2 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest 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) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 341 gr (0.75 pounds) | 167 gr (0.37 pounds) |
Dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 images | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6L | - |
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, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $299 | $130 |