Canon SX220 HS vs Samsung NX500: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Cameras

When stepping into the world of cameras, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by choices spanning genres, specs, and price brackets. Today, we’re looking at two very different beasts: the Canon SX220 HS, a compact superzoom introduced back in 2011, and the Samsung NX500, a mirrorless marvel from 2015. Both represent cameras aimed at enthusiasts craving solid image quality but catering to pretty divergent shooting philosophies and use cases.

Having handled thousands of cameras over the years, I can confidently say these two offer a great primer on how camera technology - and buyer needs! - evolved in just a handful of years. Let’s roll up our sleeves and see what each brings to the table, where each shines, and who they’re really for.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

The first tactile encounter shapes expectations and comfort, so let’s start by putting these two side by side.

The Canon SX220 HS is as compact as compact superzooms come: about 106x59x33mm. This diminutive form factor makes it excellent for everyday candid shots and travel when you want to slip your camera into a jacket pocket. Its fixed lens zoom - 28-392mm equivalent - offers impressive focal range without lugging extra glass. The light build and simplified controls underscore its “grab-and-go” ethos.

In contrast, the Samsung NX500 is notably larger (120x64x43mm) and heavier at 287 grams. It assumes the rangefinder–style mirrorless body with a more substantial grip and a tactile feel closer to enthusiast cameras. While still very portable compared to DSLRs, it won’t vanish in your pocket - more like slung in a compact bag. The NX500’s removable lenses further add options and downsize the system or specialize it per shooting style.

Looking from above, the SX220 HS’s minimalistic button and dial layout speaks to beginners or casual shooters content with mostly Auto or semi-manual modes. Its lack of an electronic viewfinder means you frame and review via the relatively small fixed LCD.

Samsung’s NX500 offers a more mature control regimen, including dedicated dials for shutter and exposure compensation, along with a tilting touchscreen LCD for creative flexibility. Though it lacks a built-in EVF, the NX mount supports powerful prime and zoom lenses, opening possibilities far beyond the SX220 HS’s zoom and aperture constraints.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

If you want detailed, sharp images with rich dynamic range, the sensor is king. Here’s how the two compare:

Canon packs the SX220 HS with a small 1/2.3” sensor measuring just 6.17x4.55mm. That’s tiny by modern standards, limiting resolution to 12MP and constraining image quality, especially in low light or scenes demanding dynamic nuance. The photodiode size means its light-gathering capacity is limited, which impacts noise control and detail. Also, no RAW format support means you’re stuck with compressed JPEGs, restricting post-processing flexibility.

On the other hand, the Samsung NX500 wields an APS-C sized sensor (23.5x15.7mm) at a hefty 28MP resolution. This larger sensor harvests more light, yielding better signal-to-noise ratios, improved dynamic range, and crisper fine detail. No anti-aliasing filter atop the sensor nudges sharpness up further. Throw in RAW support and you have a pronounced advantage for image quality enthusiasts who love to manipulate exposure, colors, and sharpness in post without quality loss.

DxOMark’s metrics reflect this gap vividly: the NX500 scores 87 overall with 24.8 bits color depth and 13.9 EV dynamic range at base ISO. The SX220 HS lacks official DxO testing, but sensors of that size and age rarely surpass 60-65 points under optimal conditions.

Bottom line: If image fidelity is your priority - portraits with creamy bokeh, landscapes with nuanced shadows, or prints bigger than a postcard - the NX500’s sensor is the clear winner.

LCD Screen and Live View Experience

Since neither camera offers an EVF, the LCD screen becomes critical for framing and reviewing shots.

The Canon SX220 HS provides a fixed 3” PureColor II TG TFT LCD with a modest resolution of 461k dots. It’s sufficiently bright for casual outdoor shoots but lacks touch control and flexibility to flip or tilt for awkward angles.

Samsung steps up with a 3” touchscreen LCD at 1.036 million dots resolution and a tilting design. The touch interface enhances manual focusing, menu navigation, and selecting focus points quickly - a boon for street or macro shooters who want to focus on tiny details or frame creatively. The higher resolution helps verify focus and detail straight on the screen.

Personally, I found the NX500’s LCD transformative for composition, especially shooting at low angles or overhead, where the tilt makes a huge difference. The Canon’s smaller, fixed screen feels restrictive by comparison.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Performance

For capturing decisive moments, autofocus (AF) speed and accuracy, burst rates, and face/eye detection are huge factors. Here’s how our contenders fare.

The Canon SX220 HS employs a 9-point AF system with contrast detection only. It features face detection but lacks advanced tracking or eye AF. Continuous AF and tracking exist but are basic and slower by today’s standards. Burst shooting clocks at a leisurely 3fps, enough for simple action shots but limiting for sports or wildlife.

Samsung’s NX500 upgrades the game with a hybrid AF system featuring 209 focus points combining phase detection and contrast detection. This permits snappy, precise autofocus and impressive tracking of moving subjects. Face detection and selective focus areas round it out well.

The NX500 also offers a burst rate of 9fps - a threefold improvement - pushing it into sports and wildlife photography territory for enthusiasts willing to track fast action.

In hands-on tests, I found the NX500’s AF far more reliable when tracking subjects or snapping quick street scenes, whereas the Canon felt a little hesitant and prone to hunting in complex light or scenes with fast subjects.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility

The Canon SX220 HS is a fixed-lens camera with a 14x optical zoom covering 28-392mm equivalent focal lengths with an aperture range of F3.1-5.9. This is impressively versatile for a compact, suitable for travel, casual wildlife, or portraits with moderate background blur.

The NX500, however, uses the Samsung NX lens mount supporting a lineup of 32 lenses ranging from wide-angle primes to telephoto zooms, including some very fast aperture glass. The APS-C sensor combined with these lenses dramatically expands creative possibilities.

If you want to shoot macro photography, for instance, the NX500 can accept dedicated macro lenses or even extension tubes - something entirely impossible with the Canon’s fixed optics.

Likewise, portrait photographers can pick out fast primes to create luscious bokeh and creamy backgrounds, far surpassing what the superzoom’s slow aperture can do.

This flexibility makes the NX500 a true system camera - better suited for steady photographic growth.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Nothing spoils a photo trip like running out of juice. The Canon SX220 HS houses the NB-5L battery and delivers about 210 shots per charge, which feels a bit stingy by today’s standards. However, its modest sensor and limited AF demands likely contribute to somewhat modest power draw.

Samsung’s NX500 doubles down with the larger BP1130 battery rated for around 370 shots per charge, supporting more intensive use with its larger sensor and faster AF/shooting capabilities. It also supports time-lapse recording - a nice bonus for creatives.

On storage, both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. The SX220 HS accommodates MMC cards too, an older format that’s nearly vanished. Neither camera has dual card slots, so managing storage carefully is advised, especially with NX500’s large RAW files.

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity is always an interesting feature, especially for social media–minded photographers.

The Canon SX220 HS offers no wireless or Bluetooth features, reflective of its 2011 origin. You’re tethered to USB or HDMI for file transfer or external display.

Samsung’s NX500 includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth alongside NFC for quick pairing and image sharing - a real plus for instant uploading or remote camera control via smartphone apps. While no microphone or headphone jacks limit serious video work, the NX500 supports 4K UHD video recording at 30p and cinematic UHD (4096x2160) at 24p, a boon for multimedia creators.

Real-World Photography Evaluations by Genre

Moving beyond specs, let’s consider typical shooting scenarios and which camera best delivers results.

Portrait Photography

Portraits hinge on skin tone reproduction, smooth bokeh, and reliable face/eye detection. The NX500 - with its 28MP APS-C sensor, superior color depth, and flexible fast lenses - delivers subtle tonal gradation and superb subject isolation, suitable for professional headshots or creative studio work.

The SX220 HS can’t match this due to its smaller sensor and slower zoom lens aperture. Its autofocus aids basic face detection but can’t lock onto eyes specifically, limiting precision. Skin tones tend to be less nuanced and require more in-camera processing.

Landscape Photography

Here, dynamic range and resolution hold sway. Samsung’s wider ISO range (100-25600) and superior sensor decent dynamic range help retain detail in shadows and highlights, vital for sunrise or sunset shots.

The Canon sacrifices detail somewhat due to smaller sensor and fewer megapixels. Also, lack of weather sealing limits rugged outdoor use for landscapes in challenging environments.

Wildlife and Sports

Burst rate and AF tracking are essential here. The NX500’s 9fps and extensive focus points give it a substantive edge over the SX220 HS’s 3fps and rudimentary AF. Fast autofocus tracking in complex scenes is paramount for sports; the NX500’s hybrid system is significantly more capable.

Street Photography

Portability and discretion are critical. The Canon SX220 HS’s compactness and quiet operation make it an appealing grab-and-go tool, able to slip into a jacket pocket unnoticed. The NX500, while portable for a mirrorless, is bulkier but compensates with a tilting touchscreen helpful for shooting from the hip or low angles.

Macro Photography

The SX220 HS offers 5cm macro focusing but is limited by fixed lens aperture and lack of stabilization precision.

NX500’s interchangeable lens options, plus manual focus aids on touchscreen, make close-up work more precise and rewarding.

Night and Astro Photography

A larger sensor on the NX500 with high ISO capability and longer shutter speeds of up to 30 seconds outclasses the SX220 HS’s ISO 3200 cap and max 1/15 second shutter (though the SX220 HS max shutter speed is 1/3200s for faster daylight exposures).

Video Capabilities in Practice

For casual video shooters, both cameras can record Full HD video, but Samsung’s video profile is more flexible: 4K (30p), UHD cinematic 4K (24p), and multiple frame rates in HD (up to 60fps) for slow-motion effects.

Canon caps at 1080p 24fps and 720p 30fps maximum, with no mic input limiting professional use. Neither camera supports 4K photo modes, but NX500’s H.265 codec offers efficient compression.

Durability and Environmental Sealing

Neither camera is weather sealed or shockproof, so neither is ideal for wet or rugged environments without protection.

Build quality is solid but reflective of their categories - the compact Canon feels slightly less robust than the Samsung’s mirrorless aluminum body.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: Then and Now

The Canon SX220 HS launched retailing around $399 and targets casual users wanting simple superzoom convenience. Its age and specs mean prices on the used market are very low, appealing for beginners or travelers wanting basic coverage without fuss.

Samsung’s NX500, priced originally near $800, offers advanced image quality, system expandability, and 4K video, making it a better fit for enthusiasts or semi-professionals with diverse demands.

Summing Up the Scores

Let’s situate this comparison with performance ratings from real-world tests.

Samsung NX500 ranks solidly high for image quality, autofocus, and video capabilities, while Canon SX220 HS lags behind but still scores respectably for convenience and zoom versatility.

This graph highlights the NX500’s clear superiority in portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and video, while the SX220 HS shines only in portability and casual superzoom convenience.

Sample Images to Illustrate Differences

Seeing is believing when it comes to image quality and rendering.

Canon SX220 HS front Canon SX220 HS screen back Samsung NX500 front Samsung NX500 screen back

Here, the sharper detail, richer colors, and cleaner noise control from the NX500 stand out, especially in low-light and high-contrast areas. The Canon images look softer with more noise, but still pleasant for snapshots.

Who Should Buy Which? Practical Recommendations

If you’re in the market right now - who benefits from each camera?

• Pick the Canon SX220 HS if:

  • You crave a pocketable, all-in-one camera with long zoom range.
  • Auto modes and user-friendly controls without much fuss appeal.
  • Budget is tight and you want to capture casual travel or family moments.
  • You don’t mind sacrificing image quality or manual controls.

• Choose the Samsung NX500 if:

  • You value image and video quality and want room to grow your lens collection.
  • You enjoy manual exposure control, focusing aids, and tech like 4K video.
  • Subject tracking, speed, and low-light performance matter.
  • You’re comfortable handling a slightly bigger, more technical camera.
  • Budget allows for investing in lenses alongside the body.

Final Thoughts: Bridging Age, Technology, and Needs

The Canon SX220 HS and Samsung NX500 stand as snapshots of their times and cultures in camera design - compact superzoom simplicity versus mirrorless versatility. For enthusiasts and professionals reading this in 2024, the SX220 HS is likely a nostalgic or very entry-level option, while the NX500 remains a surprisingly capable tool with APS-C power, despite Samsung exiting the camera business years ago.

This is why direct brand-new comparisons can sometimes feel like apples to oranges, but the practical differences in sensor size, autofocus sophistication, video capabilities, and handling remain vital signposts for buyers today.

Whether you want effortless all-in-one super zoom or a flexible mirrorless system, understanding these distinctions helps you decide where to place your money - and your creative energy.

Happy shooting!

Disclaimer: This comparison is based on hands-on experience with both cameras over multiple shoots, combined with extensive technical resources and industry-standard testing insights.