• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1000.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX500 advantages over Nikon P520

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lighter weight
    341g vs 550g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon P520 advantages over Canon SX500

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,000 mm vs 720 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-610UZ

Canon SX500
Olympus SP-610UZ
  • $475
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX500 vs Olympus SP-610UZ

Nikon P520
Olympus SP-610UZ
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P520 vs Olympus SP-610UZ

Compared to Nikon P510

Canon SX500
Nikon P510
  • $475
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon SX500 vs Nikon P510

Nikon P520
Nikon P510
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon P520 vs Nikon P510

Compared to Canon SX510 HS

Canon SX500
Canon SX510 HS
  • $475
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX500 vs Canon SX510 HS

Nikon P520
Canon SX510 HS
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P520 vs Canon SX510 HS

Compared to Nikon P530

Canon SX500
Nikon P530
  • $475
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX500 vs Nikon P530

Nikon P520
Nikon P530
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Nikon P520 vs Nikon P530

Compared to Canon SX420 IS

Canon SX500
Canon SX420 IS
  • $475
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • HDMI out
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels

Compare Canon SX500 vs Canon SX420 IS

Nikon P520
Canon SX420 IS
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon P520 vs Canon SX420 IS

Compare Other Cameras?