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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W610 front
Portability
97
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610 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
  • Announced August 2012
  • Renewed by Canon SX510 HS
Sony W610
(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
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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").

Photography Glossary

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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Sony W610

 SX500 IS W610 
IntroducedAugust 2012January 2012More modern by 8 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography advice
Sony W610 Portrait photography advice
46
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/1,600 seconds)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
28
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX500 IS
Street photography with Sony W610
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
56
lighter than average (113 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography info
Sony W610 Sports photography info
44
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (195 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
26
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography info
Sony W610 Travel photography info
59
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
no Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (195 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
69
lighter than average (113g)
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography factors
Sony W610 Landscape photography factors
46
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery pack (195 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
33
relatively wide (26mm)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging information
Sony W610 Vlogging information
28
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
28
relatively wide (26mm)
lighter than average (113g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W610 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Sony W610
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISSony 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