Select two new cameras to compare

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS vs Canon PowerShot SX510 HS

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS

Camera summary

The Canon PowerShot SX500 IS, made by Canon, is a powerful Compact camera. Announced on Aug. 21, 2012.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
3.2 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
3.3 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
4.3 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.2 out of 5 stars
Average Score
2.7 out of 5 stars

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Canon PowerShot SX510 HS

Sensor

This camera has a CCD sensor with a 16 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 1 focus points. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies. It offers AF tracking, which allows you to track moving objects

Max video resolutions

1280 x 720

Expect recording in 1280 x 720 with support for the following formats: H.264.

Connectivity

Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

NB-6L

The battery of this camera can last up to 195 shots per charge with the included NB-6L battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Higher level cameras have a more higher mechanical shutter speed, this model's capabilities could be cumbersome by today's standards, so you should consider it before buying it.
Canon PowerShot SX510 HS

Canon PowerShot SX510 HS

Camera summary

The Canon PowerShot SX510 HS, made by Canon, is a powerful Compact camera. Announced on Aug. 22, 2013.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
3.2 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
4.3 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.2 out of 5 stars
Average Score
3.0 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Sensor

This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 12 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 1 focus points. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies. It offers AF tracking, which allows you to track moving objects

Max video resolutions

1920 x 1080

Expect recording in 1920 x 1080 with support for the following formats: MPEG-4, H.264.

Connectivity

Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

NB-6LH

The battery of this camera can last up to 250 shots per charge with the included NB-6LH battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Higher level cameras have a more higher mechanical shutter speed, this model's capabilities could be cumbersome by today's standards, so you should consider it before buying it.

Autofocus specs

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
Af center
Yes
Yes
Af continuous
No
No
Af Contrast Detection
Yes
Yes
Af Face detection
Yes
Yes
Af live view
Yes
Yes
Af multi area
Yes
Yes
Af phase detection
No
No
Af selective
No
No
Af single
Yes
Yes
Af touch
No
No
Af tracking
Yes
Yes
Number of cross focus points - -
Number of focus points 1 1

Connectivity

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
HDMI
No
Yes
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Wireless connectivity Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
DXO color depth 0.0 0.0
DXO dynamic range 0.0 0.0
DXO low light ISO 0.0 0.0
DXO overall score 0.0 0.0

Exposure mode

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
AF area
No
No
average
No
No
Center weighted
Yes
Yes
Multi segment
Yes
Yes
partial
No
No
spot
Yes
Yes

General

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
AKA - -
announced Aug. 21, 2012 Aug. 22, 2013
Body type Compact Compact
brand Canon Canon
msrp $469.95 $89.99
model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
Predecessor model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
Successor model Canon PowerShot SX510 HS Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Lense

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
Focal length multiplier - -
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Manual focus
Yes
Yes
Macro focus range 1cm 0cm
Number of lenses - -

Other features

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
GPS - -
Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Storage slots 1 1
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Timelapse recording
No
No

Photography features

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
AE bracketing
No
No
Aperture priority
Yes
Yes
Built-in flash
Yes
Yes
Custom white balance
Yes
Yes
Exposure compensation
Yes
Yes
External flash
No
No
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, slow synchro, off
Flash range 5.00 m 5.00 m
Image stabilization
Yes
Yes
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Yes
Max continuous shooting 1.0 fps 4.0 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Minimum shutter speed 15 15
Shutter priority
Yes
Yes
WB bracketing
Yes
Yes

Physical

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
Battery life 195 shots 250 shots
Battery model NB-6L NB-6LH
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Crush proof
No
No
Dust proof
No
No
Environmental sealing
No
No
Freeze proof
No
No
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm 104 x 70 x 80mm
Shock proof
No
No
Water proof
No
No
Weight 341 grs 349 grs

Screen

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
Live view
Yes
Yes
Screen resolution 461 461
Screen size - -
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Touch screen
No
No

Sensor

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
Max boosted ISO - -
Max image resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
No
No
Sensor area - -
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
Sensor resolution 16 12
Sensor size 1/2.3-inch 1/2.3-inch
Sensor type CCD CMOS

Headphone port

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
Headphone port
No
No
Max video resolution 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080
Microphone port
No
No
Video formats H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)

Viewfinder

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
viewfinder - -
viewfinder coverage - -
viewfinder magnification - -
viewfinder resolution no electronic viewfinder no electronic viewfinder