• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1440.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX500 advantages over Nikon P610

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    80 mm vs 106 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    341g vs 565g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon P610 advantages over Canon SX500

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,440 mm vs 720 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 195 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    922k 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
    12800 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon P610

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
Nikon P610
Olympus SP-610UZ
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

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
Nikon P610
Canon SX510 HS
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon P600

Canon SX500
Nikon P600
  • $475
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon P610
Nikon P600
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch

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
Nikon P610
Canon SX420 IS
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Lighter weight
  • More pixels

Compared to Nikon B700

Canon SX500
Nikon B700
  • $475
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon P610
Nikon B700
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • RAW file ability
Compare Other Cameras?