Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W550
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39
96 Imaging
36 Features
28 Overall
32
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
- 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
- Announced August 2012
- Updated by Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
- 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
- Launched July 2011
Photography Glossary Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W550 Overview
On this page, we are comparing the Canon SX500 IS and Sony W550, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by brands Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe SX500 IS was manufactured 14 months later than the W550 making them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SX500 IS grades vs the W550 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Sony W550
| SX500 IS | W550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | August 2012 | July 2011 | Fresher by 14 months | |
| Focus manually | Very exact focusing | |||
| Display resolution | 461k | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Canon SX500 IS
| W550 | SX500 IS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Sony W550
| SX500 IS | W550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal display dimensions | |
| Selfie screen | Neither contains selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Neither contains Touch display |
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX500 IS has got outer 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) whilst the Sony W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SX500 IS and Sony W550 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX500 IS compared to the W550.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and W550 is 80 and 96 respectively.
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing technical specs. The photograph here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SX500 IS and W550.
As you can tell, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX500 IS to offer more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer SX500 IS will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W550 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Canon | Sony |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 |
| Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Ultracompact |
| Announced | 2012-08-21 | 2011-07-24 |
| Physical type | Compact | Ultracompact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | 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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 1 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/2.7-5.7 |
| Macro focusing range | 1cm | 5cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | Clear Photo LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 2 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 5.00 m | 3.80 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| 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 proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 341 gr (0.75 lb) | 110 gr (0.24 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 195 photos | - |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | NB-6L | NP-BN1 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | Single | - |
| Pricing at release | $299 | $119 |