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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony WX50

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony WX50 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
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Refreshed by Canon SX510 HS
Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony WX50 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Canon SX500 IS versus Sony WX50, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the WX50 (16MP) is fairly well matched and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was announced 7 months later than the WX50 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SX500 IS matches up vs the WX50 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Sony WX50

 SX500 IS WX50 
LaunchedAugust 2012January 2012Fresher by 7 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Canon SX500 IS

 WX50 SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Sony WX50

 SX500 IS WX50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution461k461kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS has outer dimensions 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 WX50 has specifications of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX500 IS versus Sony WX50 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the SX500 IS versus the WX50.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and WX50 is 80 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by checking specs. The photograph underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX500 IS and WX50.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs but you should always consider the production date of the products into consideration. The more recent SX500 IS should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX500 IS
Portrait photography with Sony WX50
46
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/1,600 seconds)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports face detection focus
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
34
MP count decent (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX500 IS
Street photography with Sony WX50
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography highlights
Sony WX50 Sports photography highlights
44
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (195 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
44
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography details
Sony WX50 Travel photography details
59
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery power (195 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
69
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography information
Sony WX50 Landscape photography information
46
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery power (195 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
38
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX500 IS
Vlogging with Sony WX50
28
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
35
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
missing mic support
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Sony WX50
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-08-21 2012-01-30
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16MP 16MP
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 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 1 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/1600s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341g (0.75 lb) 117g (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" 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 images 240 images
Style of battery 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at release $299 $250