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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 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
  • Launched August 2012
  • Refreshed by Canon SX510 HS
Sony S950
(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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Sony S950

 SX500 IS S950 
RevealedAugust 2012February 2009More modern by 43 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and S950 is 80 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

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.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography advice
Sony S950 Portrait photography advice
46
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/1,600 seconds)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
26
manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography info
Sony S950 Street photography info
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography info
Sony S950 Sports photography info
44
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (195 shots)
has no phase detect AF
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography features
Sony S950 Travel photography features
59
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery power (195 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
50
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography advice
Sony S950 Landscape photography advice
46
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery power (195 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
31
manual focus
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging features
Sony S950 Vlogging features
28
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
9
no video recording
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Sony S950
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISSony 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