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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W650

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
32
Overall
35

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W650 Key Specs

Canon SX500 IS
(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
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Renewed by Canon SX510 HS
Sony W650
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W650 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Canon SX500 IS versus Sony W650, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the W650 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was introduced 8 months later than the W650 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SX500 IS grades against the W650 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Sony W650

 SX500 IS W650 
LaunchedAugust 2012January 2012Fresher by 8 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Canon SX500 IS

 W650 SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Sony W650

 SX500 IS W650 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX500 IS has external measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Sony W650 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX500 IS versus Sony W650 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the SX500 IS compared to the W650.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W650 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and W650 is 80 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W650 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by viewing specs. The graphic below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX500 IS and W650.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of images but you may want to take the release date of the cameras into account. The younger SX500 IS is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W650 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography details
Sony W650 Portrait photography details
46
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/1,600 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
34
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography information
Sony W650 Street photography information
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (124g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography factors
Sony W650 Sports photography factors
44
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (195 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography info
Sony W650 Travel photography info
59
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery pack (195 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
68
lighter than competitors (124 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.6)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W650 as a Landscape photography camera
46
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery pack (195 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
42
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging info
Sony W650 Vlogging info
28
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
33
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (124g)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony W650 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Sony W650
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-08-21 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 1 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/1600 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341g (0.75 pounds) 124g (0.27 pounds)
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 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 shots 220 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $299 $140