• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 675.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
  • Nikon Coolpix L820
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Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor: Canon SX510 HS
SX500 vs SX510 HS 		 
General
Model Number: SX500 L820
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $329.99 $279.95
Street Price: $475.00 $199.00
Date Available: 2012-09-15 2013-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 12.0 oz (341 g)
includes batteries 		16.6 oz (470 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.1 x 2.7 x 3.2 in.
(104 x 70 x 80 mm) 		4.4 x 3.0 x 3.3 in.
(111 x 76 x 85 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 16.0 16.1
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.34 microns 1.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG  
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 1832 (6.0 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2448 x 2448 (6.0 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1) 		4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3) JPEG, MPO
Continuous-mode frames/second: 0.8 8.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (25p)
640x480 (30p) 		1920x1080 (30p/​15p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
960x540 (30p)
640x480 (120p)
320x240 (240p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM (stereo)) MOV (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC stereo)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Zoom-Nikkor ED VR; 12 elements in 9 groups (2 ED lens elements)
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 720mm 23 - 675mm
Focal Length (actual): 4.3 - 129mm 4 - 120mm
Zoom Ratio: 30.00x 30.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.4 (W) / f/5.8 (T) - f/8.0 f/3.0 (wide) / f/5.8 (tele) - ??? with ND filter
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 0 cm to Infinity
0.0 in to Infinity 		50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 0 - 50 cm
0.0 - 19.7 in 		1 cm to Infinity
0.4 in to Infinity
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detection; Face Detect AiAF, Single AF point (center or face select and track) Contrast Detection: Center, Face priority
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 921,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x  
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600; (Higher in 4MP Low Light scene mode) Auto, 125, 200, 400, 800, 1600; ISO 3200 availablein Auto mode
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto (including Face Detection WB), Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1600 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 4 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame), Centre-weighted average, Spot (Center) Matrix, Center-weighted (digital zoom less than 2x), Spot (digital zoom 2X or more)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes: SCN (Portrait, FaceSelf-Timer, Low Light (4.0MP), Snow, Fireworks), Creative Filters (Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect), Discreet, My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color) Back Light, Beach, Black and White Copy, Close Up, Dusk/Dawn, Easy Panorama, Fireworks Show, Food, Landscape, Museum, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Snow, Sports, Sunset, 3D Photography
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 10 or 2 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro; Red-Eye Reduction available Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off, Flash On, w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; Slow Syncro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: 1.6 ft. - 16 ft. (W), 4.6 - 9.8 ft. (T) (50cm - 5.0m (W), (1.4 - 3.0m (T)) Auto ISO: [W]: 0.5 to 6.0m (1ft. 8in. to 19ft.) [T]: 1.5 to 6.0m (5 ft. to 19 ft.)
Max Flash Sync: 1/1600  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM (stereo)) MOV (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC stereo)
Included Memory: No memory included 65.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): Mini (Type-C) HDMI  
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):    
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 0.8 8.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 6
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):    
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):    
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:    
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 195 shots 540 shots (NiMH AA)
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-6L 4 x AA
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Alkaline, Lithium disposables; NiMH rechargeables
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-6L Lithium-ion rechargeable 4 x Alkaline AAs
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Canon software suite (ImageBrowser EX, PhotoStitch) Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 7 SP1 / Vista SP2 / XP SP3, Mac OS X v10.6 - 10.7 Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, DIGIC 4 Processor, Zoom Framing Assist, 720p HD Movies. Vibration Reduction (VR), 1080p Full HD movies, Creative Image Effects. Available in black or red.