• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX1 IS advantages over Nikon P500

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    14 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon P500 advantages over Canon SX1 IS

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    810 mm vs 560 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.59 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    23 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX10 IS

Canon SX1 IS
Canon SX10 IS
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX10 IS

Nikon P500
Canon SX10 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P500 vs Canon SX10 IS

Compared to Sony DSC-HX1

Canon SX1 IS
Sony DSC-HX1
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SX1 IS vs Sony DSC-HX1

Nikon P500
Sony DSC-HX1
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P500 vs Sony DSC-HX1

Compared to Canon SX20 IS

Canon SX1 IS
Canon SX20 IS
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX20 IS

Nikon P500
Canon SX20 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P500 vs Canon SX20 IS

Compared to Fujifilm S4000

Canon SX1 IS
Fujifilm S4000
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX1 IS vs Fujifilm S4000

Nikon P500
Fujifilm S4000
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More dots on screen
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P500 vs Fujifilm S4000

Compared to Olympus SP-820UZ

Canon SX1 IS
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Nikon P500
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Nikon P500 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Compare Other Cameras?