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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony A57

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony A57 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
  • Launched August 2012
  • New Model is Canon SX510 HS
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A55
  • Updated by Sony A58
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony A57 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Canon SX500 IS and Sony A57, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is relatively similar but the SX500 IS (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The SX500 IS was launched within a month of the A57 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SX500 IS matches up versus the A57 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Sony A57

 SX500 IS A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Canon SX500 IS

 A57 SX500 IS 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k461kCrisper screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Sony A57

 SX500 IS A57 
AnnouncedAugust 2012September 2012Similar generation
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SX500 IS offers physical dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) while the Sony A57 has sizing of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") having a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Check the Canon SX500 IS and Sony A57 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX500 IS vs the A57.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony A57 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and A57 is 80 and 64 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over technical specs. The pic below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and A57.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with the identical megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizes. The SX500 IS features the tinier sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field tougher.

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography info
Sony A57 Portrait photography info
46
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/1,600s)
decent MP (16MP)
provides face detect focus
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX500 IS
Street photography with Sony A57
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
75
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography advice
Sony A57 Sports photography advice
44
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (195 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony A57 as a Travel photography camera
59
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (195 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
67
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A57 as a Landscape photography camera
46
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery pack (195 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
72
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX500 IS
Vlogging with Sony A57
28
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
77
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic port
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Canon SX500 IS vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Sony A57
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISSony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Sony SLT-A57
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2012-08-21 2012-09-13
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 1 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/1600s 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341g (0.75 lb) 618g (1.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 785
Other
Battery life 195 shots 550 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $299 $1,000