Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
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97 Imaging
37 Features
20 Overall
30
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610 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
- Announced August 2012
- Renewed by Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 640 x 480 video
- 26-105mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 113g - 93 x 52 x 19mm
- Introduced January 2012

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610 Overview
On this page, we will be comparing the Canon SX500 IS versus Sony W610, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the W610 (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX500 IS was revealed 8 months after the W610 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SX500 IS scores versus the W610 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W610. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Sony W610 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Sony W610
SX500 IS | W610 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2012 | ![]() | January 2012 | More modern by 8 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W610 over the Canon SX500 IS
W610 | SX500 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Sony W610
SX500 IS | W610 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX500 IS features outside dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Sony W610 has sizing of 93mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 113 grams (0.25 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX500 IS versus Sony W610 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SX500 IS vs the W610.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and W610 is 80 and 97 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes just by researching technical specs. The pic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and W610.
As you can tell, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Canon SX500 IS to result in extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The newer SX500 IS is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W610 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W610 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2012-08-21 | 2012-01-10 |
Body design | 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 | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 1 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 26-105mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 4cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of display | 461k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | Clear Photo TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 1 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/1600 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 341g (0.75 lb) | 113g (0.25 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 93 x 52 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 250 photos |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6L | NP-BN |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $299 | $200 |