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What is the pixel pitch of the Canon SX500?

The Canon PowerShot SX500 IS provides 15.9 megapixels from a 1/2.3-inch sensor. This pixel density gives rise to a size of the individual pixel of 1.33µm.

The pixel size or pixel pitch can be calculated by dividing the sensor area by the pixel count and then taking the square root. In particular, the sensor in the Canon SX500 measures 6.17mm in width and 4.55mm in height, so that the total imaging area of the sensor amounts to 28 mm2. Moreover, the SX500 has 4 608 horizontal pixels and 3 456 vertical pixels, for a total of 15.9 megapixels. Then, the size (height or width) of each individual pixel can be calculated as the square root of the ratio of the sensor area (28 mm2) to the MP count (15 925 248).

camera

Larger pixels provide advantages with respect to gathering light, particularly in low-light situations. Large pixels notably have a better signal to noise ratio, meaning that they can better differentiate between incoming photons and the noisy signals that the internal processes of the camera create. As a result, big pixels are particularly helpful to the photographer when shooting with high ISO settings.

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Sensor specs and performance

The table below compares the sensor specs of the Canon SX500 to those of several similar cameras. The reported DXO values are indicators of the sensor's imaging quality (higher is better), covering color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape), and high-ISO noise (DXO Sports). Larger sensor cameras tend to outperform cameras of the same generation that are equipped with a smaller imager. On the other hand, larger sensors are more expensive and require bigger and heavier lenses than smaller light receptors.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon SX500 1/2.3 15.9 4608 3456720/30p19.811.149443
2.
 
Canon SX740 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1105051
3.
 
Canon SX430 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/25p20.511.990049
4.
 
Canon SX730 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.511.992450
5.
 
Canon SX420 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/25p20.311.780648
6.
 
Canon SX410 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.211.672047
7.
 
Canon SX520 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.111.567246
8.
 
Canon SX700 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.111.462945
9.
 
Canon SX400 1/2.3 15.9 4608 3456720/30p20.111.567246
10.
 
Canon SX510 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/24p20.011.358645
11.
 
Sony WX800 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.2107051
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Further information on the sensor in the Canon SX500 and the camera's operation can be found in the camera manual.

In the United States, the SX500 was initially launched in August 2012 at a price of $329.

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Camera to camera comparisons

In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Canon SX500
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8
    Launch Date August 2012
    Launch Price USD 329
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CCD
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 15.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 608 x 3 456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.33 μm
    Pixel Density 56.73 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter
    Movie Capability 720/30p Video
    ISO Setting 80 - 1 600 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 4
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type No viewfinder
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 461k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/1600s
    Continuous Shooting 0.8 shutter flaps/s
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support no
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Battery Type Canon NB-6L power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)195 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80 mm
    (4.1 x 2.8 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 341 g (12.0 oz)

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