Canon SX400 vs SX500
The Canon PowerShot SX400 IS and the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in July 2014 and August 2012. Both the SX400 and the SX500 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 15.9 megapixels.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX400 IS and the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon SX400 and the Canon SX500 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon SX500 is somewhat larger (1 percent) than the Canon SX400. Moreover, the SX500 is markedly heavier (9 percent) than the SX400. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX400 nor the SX500 are weather-sealed.
Concerning battery life, the SX400 gets 190 shots out of its Canon NB-11LH battery, while the SX500 can take 195 images on a single charge of its Canon NB-6L power pack.
The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SX400 | 104 mm | 69 mm | 80 mm | 313 g | 190 | n | Jul 2014 | 249 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon SX500 | 104 mm | 70 mm | 80 mm | 341 g | 195 | n | Aug 2012 | 329 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon SX60 | 128 mm | 93 mm | 114 mm | 650 g | 340 | n | Sep 2014 | 549 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon SX410 | 104 mm | 69 mm | 85 mm | 325 g | 185 | n | Feb 2015 | 279 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon SX420 | 104 mm | 69 mm | 85 mm | 325 g | 195 | n | Jan 2016 | 299 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon SX510 | 104 mm | 70 mm | 80 mm | 349 g | 250 | n | Aug 2013 | 249 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon SX530 | 120 mm | 82 mm | 92 mm | 442 g | 210 | n | Jan 2015 | 429 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon SX600 | 104 mm | 61 mm | 26 mm | 188 g | 290 | n | Jan 2014 | 249 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon SX610 | 105 mm | 61 mm | 27 mm | 191 g | 270 | n | Jan 2015 | 249 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon SX700 | 113 mm | 66 mm | 35 mm | 269 g | 250 | n | Feb 2014 | 349 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon SX710 | 113 mm | 66 mm | 35 mm | 269 g | 230 | n | Jan 2015 | 349 | ebay.com | |
12. | Canon SX730 | 110 mm | 64 mm | 40 mm | 300 g | 250 | n | Apr 2017 | 399 | ebay.com | |
13. | Canon SX740 | 110 mm | 64 mm | 40 mm | 299 g | 265 | n | Jul 2018 | 399 | amazon.com | |
14. | Nikon L840 | 113 mm | 78 mm | 96 mm | 538 g | 590 | n | Feb 2015 | 299 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The SX400 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 24 percent) than the SX500, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Sensor comparison
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.
Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.
In terms of chip-set technology, the SX400 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4+) than the SX500 (DIGIC 4), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.
The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 15.9 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the SX400 and the SX500 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the SX400 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 11 months) than the SX500, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.
The Canon PowerShot SX400 IS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS are ISO 80 to ISO 1600 (no boost).
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SX400 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 720/30p | 20.1 | 11.5 | 672 | 46 | |
2. | Canon SX500 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 720/30p | 19.8 | 11.1 | 494 | 43 | |
3. | Canon SX60 | 1/2.3 | 14.2 | 4608 | 3072 | 1080/60p | 19.2 | 10.8 | 127 | 39 | |
4. | Canon SX410 | 1/2.3 | 19.9 | 5152 | 3864 | 720/30p | 20.2 | 11.6 | 720 | 47 | |
5. | Canon SX420 | 1/2.3 | 19.9 | 5152 | 3864 | 720/25p | 20.3 | 11.7 | 806 | 48 | |
6. | Canon SX510 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/24p | 20.0 | 11.3 | 586 | 45 | |
7. | Canon SX530 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 20.2 | 11.6 | 712 | 47 | |
8. | Canon SX600 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 20.0 | 11.4 | 620 | 45 | |
9. | Canon SX610 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/30p | 20.2 | 11.6 | 712 | 47 | |
10. | Canon SX700 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/60p | 20.1 | 11.4 | 629 | 45 | |
11. | Canon SX710 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/60p | 20.2 | 11.6 | 712 | 47 | |
12. | Canon SX730 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/60p | 20.5 | 11.9 | 924 | 50 | |
13. | Canon SX740 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1050 | 51 | |
14. | Nikon L840 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/60i | 20.2 | 11.6 | 721 | 47 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (720/30p).
Feature comparison
Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The SX400 and the SX500 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon SX400, the Canon SX500, and comparable cameras.
Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SX400 | none | n | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/1600s | 0.8/s | Y | Y | |
2. | Canon SX500 | none | n | 3.0 / 461 | fixed | n | 1/1600s | 0.8/s | Y | Y | |
3. | Canon SX60 | 922 | n | 3.0 / 922 | swivel | n | 1/2000s | 6.4/s | Y | Y | |
4. | Canon SX410 | none | n | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 0.5/s | Y | Y | |
5. | Canon SX420 | none | n | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 0.5/s | Y | Y | |
6. | Canon SX510 | none | n | 3.0 / 461 | fixed | n | 1/1600s | 3.8/s | Y | Y | |
7. | Canon SX530 | none | n | 3.0 / 461 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 1.6/s | Y | Y | |
8. | Canon SX600 | none | n | 3.0 / 461 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 3.9/s | Y | Y | |
9. | Canon SX610 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 2.5/s | Y | Y | |
10. | Canon SX700 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/3200s | 8.5/s | Y | Y | |
11. | Canon SX710 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/3200s | 6.0/s | Y | Y | |
12. | Canon SX730 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | n | 1/3200s | 5.9/s | Y | Y | |
13. | Canon SX740 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | n | 1/3200s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
14. | Nikon L840 | none | n | 3.0 / 921 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 7.4/s | Y | Y | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
Both the SX400 and the SX500 have zoom lenses built in. Both optics have identical focal length range and aperture specifications (4.3-129mm f/3.4-5.8). Both cameras offer the same maximum aperture.
Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the SX400 and the SX500 write their files to SDXC cards.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot SX400 IS and Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SX400 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
2. | Canon SX500 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
3. | Canon SX60 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
4. | Canon SX410 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
5. | Canon SX420 | - | mono / mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
6. | Canon SX510 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
7. | Canon SX530 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
8. | Canon SX600 | - | mono / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
9. | Canon SX610 | - | - / - | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
10. | Canon SX700 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
11. | Canon SX710 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
12. | Canon SX730 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
13. | Canon SX740 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
14. | Nikon L840 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - |
Both the SX400 and the SX500 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The SX500 was replaced by the Canon SX510, while the SX400 was followed by the Canon SX410. Further information on the features and operation of the SX400 and SX500 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX400 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon SX500 Manual.
Review summary
So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon SX400 better than the Canon SX500 or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.
Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot SX400 IS:
- Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4+ vs DIGIC 4).
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (24 percent cheaper at launch).
- More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 11 months after the SX500).
Arguments in favor of the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS:
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (461k vs 230k dots).
- More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in August 2012).
If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the SX400 comes out slightly ahead of the SX500 (3 : 2 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX400 and the Canon SX500 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the SX400 and the SX500 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
Expert reviews
This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SX400 | .. | + | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jul 2014 | 249 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon SX500 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Aug 2012 | 329 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon SX60 | 3/5 | + + | .. | 75/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2014 | 549 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon SX410 | .. | o | .. | .. | .. | .. | Feb 2015 | 279 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon SX420 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 3/5 | Jan 2016 | 299 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon SX510 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Aug 2013 | 249 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon SX530 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2015 | 429 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon SX600 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2014 | 249 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon SX610 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2015 | 249 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon SX700 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2014 | 349 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon SX710 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 3.5/5 | Jan 2015 | 349 | ebay.com | |
12. | Canon SX730 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Apr 2017 | 399 | ebay.com | |
13. | Canon SX740 | .. | + | 3.5/5 | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jul 2018 | 399 | amazon.com | |
14. | Nikon L840 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2015 | 299 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
- Canon 1200D vs Canon SX500
- Canon 250D vs Canon SX400
- Canon S120 vs Canon SX500
- Canon SX40 vs Canon SX400
- Canon SX400 vs Canon T7
- Canon SX400 vs Fujifilm X-T1
- Canon SX400 vs Nikon L840
- Canon SX400 vs Olympus E-M10 IV
- Canon SX500 vs Canon SX530
- Canon SX500 vs Canon SX740
- Canon SX500 vs Nikon D7500
- Canon SX500 vs Pentax K-50
Specifications: Canon SX400 vs Canon SX500
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
Camera Model | Canon SX400 | Canon SX500 |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | Fixed lens compact camera |
Camera Lens | 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 | 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 |
Launch Date | July 2014 | August 2012 |
Launch Price | USD 249 | USD 329 |
Sensor Specs | Canon SX400 | Canon SX500 |
Sensor Technology | CCD | CCD |
Sensor Format | 1/2.3" Sensor | 1/2.3" Sensor |
Sensor Size | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | 6.17 x 4.55 mm |
Sensor Area | 28.0735 mm2 | 28.0735 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 7.7 mm | 7.7 mm |
Crop Factor | 5.6x | 5.6x |
Sensor Resolution | 15.9 Megapixels | 15.9 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 4608 x 3456 pixels | 4608 x 3456 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 1.33 μm | 1.33 μm |
Pixel Density | 56.73 MP/cm2 | 56.73 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | no AA filter | no AA filter |
Movie Capability | 720/30p Video | 720/30p Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 1,600 ISO | 80 - 1,600 ISO |
Image Processor | DIGIC 4+ | DIGIC 4 |
Screen Specs | Canon SX400 | Canon SX500 |
Viewfinder Type | no viewfinder | no viewfinder |
LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.0inch |
LCD Resolution | 230k dots | 461k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Fixed screen |
Shooting Specs | Canon SX400 | Canon SX500 |
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | Contrast-detect AF |
Continuous Shooting | 0.8 shutter flaps/s | 0.8 shutter flaps/s |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | Built-in Flash |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Single card slot |
UHS card support | no | no |
Connectivity Specs | Canon SX400 | Canon SX500 |
External Flash | no Hotshoe | no Hotshoe |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | no HDMI | no HDMI |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | no Wifi |
Body Specs | Canon SX400 | Canon SX500 |
Battery Type | Canon NB-11LH | Canon NB-6L |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 190 shots per charge | 195 shots per charge |
Body Dimensions |
104 x 69 x 80 mm (4.1 x 2.7 x 3.1 in) |
104 x 70 x 80 mm (4.1 x 2.8 x 3.1 in) |
Camera Weight | 313 g (11.0 oz) | 341 g (12.0 oz) |
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