A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Canon SX500 vs SX510

The Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2012 and August 2013. Both the SX500 and the SX510 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.

Headline Specifications
Canon SX500
versus
Canon SX510
Canon SX500   Canon SX510
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8
15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
720/30p Video 1080/24p Video
ISO 80-1,600 ISO 80-3,200
No viewfinder, LCD framing No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 461k dots 3.0" LCD – 461k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
0.8 shutter flaps per second 3.8 shutter flaps per second
195 shots per battery charge250 shots per battery charge
104 x 70 x 80 mm, 341 g 104 x 70 x 80 mm, 349 g
logo
Check SX500 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check SX510 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS? 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.

ad

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon SX500 and the Canon SX510 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon SX500 vs Canon SX510
Compare SX500 versus SX510 top
Comparison SX500 or SX510 rear

In this particular case, the Canon SX500 and the Canon SX510 have exactly the same width and height, and, thus, have identically-sized bodies. However, the SX510 is slightly heavier (2 percent) than the SX500. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX500 nor the SX510 are weather-sealed.

Concerning battery life, the SX500 gets 195 shots out of its Canon NB-6L battery, while the SX510 can take 250 images on a single charge of its Canon NB-6LH power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX500 104 mm 70 mm 80 mm 341 g 195 n Aug 2012 329ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SX510 104 mm 70 mm 80 mm 349 g 250 n Aug 2013 249ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX740 110 mm 64 mm 40 mm 299 g 265 n Jul 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SX430 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 323 g 195 n Jan 2017 299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX730 110 mm 64 mm 40 mm 300 g 250 n Apr 2017 399ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX420 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 325 g 195 n Jan 2016 299ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX410 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 325 g 185 n Feb 2015 279ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX520 120 mm 82 mm 92 mm 441 g 210 n Jul 2014 399ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX700 113 mm 66 mm 35 mm 269 g 250 n Feb 2014 349ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX400 104 mm 69 mm 80 mm 313 g 190 n Jul 2014 249ebay.com
11.
 
Sony WX800 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 233 g 370 n Oct 2018 399ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. 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 SX510 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.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its 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.

Canon SX500 and Canon SX510 sensor measures

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 SX500 and the SX510 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the SX510 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year) 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 SX500 IS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS are ISO 80 to ISO 3200 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the SX500 is build around a CCD sensor, while the SX510 uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

SX500 versus SX510 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. 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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
# image 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 SX510 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/24p20.011.358645
3.
 
Canon SX740 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1105051
4.
 
Canon SX430 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/25p20.511.990049
5.
 
Canon SX730 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.511.992450
6.
 
Canon SX420 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/25p20.311.780648
7.
 
Canon SX410 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.211.672047
8.
 
Canon SX520 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.111.567246
9.
 
Canon SX700 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.111.462945
10.
 
Canon SX400 1/2.3 15.9 4608 3456720/30p20.111.567246
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.
padding

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the SX510 provides a better video resolution than the SX500. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/24p, while the SX500 is limited to 720/30p.

ad

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The SX500 and the SX510 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 SX500, the Canon SX510, and comparable cameras.

scroll hint
Core Features
# image 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 SX500none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/1600s 0.8/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon SX510none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/1600s 3.8/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon SX740none n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/3200s 10.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon SX430none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon SX730none n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/3200s 5.9/s Y Y
6.
 
Canon SX420none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
7.
 
Canon SX410none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
8.
 
Canon SX520none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 1.6/s Y Y
9.
 
Canon SX700none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/3200s 8.5/s Y Y
10.
 
Canon SX400none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/1600s 0.8/s Y Y
11.
 
Sony WX800none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

Both the SX500 and the SX510 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 SX500 and the SX510 write their files to SDXC cards.

ad

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 SX500 IS and Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon SX500-stereo / mono---2.0---
2.
 
Canon SX510-stereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
3.
 
Canon SX740-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Canon SX430-mono / mono---2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon SX730-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
6.
 
Canon SX420-mono / mono---2.0YY-
7.
 
Canon SX410-stereo / mono---2.0---
8.
 
Canon SX520-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon SX700-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
10.
 
Canon SX400-stereo / mono---2.0---
11.
 
Sony WX800-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
padding

It is notable that the SX510 offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the SX500 does not provide wifi capability.

Both the SX500 and the SX510 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The SX500 was replaced by the Canon SX510, while the SX510 was followed by the Canon SX520. Further information on the features and operation of the SX500 and SX510 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX500 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon SX510 Manual.

ad

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon SX500 and the Canon SX510? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Arguments in favor of the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS:

  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in August 2012).


Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS:

  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/24p vs 720/30p).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3.8 vs 0.8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (250 versus 195) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (24 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the SX510 is the clear winner of the contest (6 : 1 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. 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.

SX500 01:06 SX510

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX500 and the Canon SX510 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 specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the SX500 and the SX510 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera 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.

scroll hint
Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX500..+ +....4/54/5 Aug 2012 329ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SX510..+ +....4.5/54/5 Aug 2013 249ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX740..+3.5/5..4/54/5 Jul 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SX430........3.5/53.5/5 Jan 2017 299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX730..+....4/54/5 Apr 2017 399ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX420..........3/5 Jan 2016 299ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX410..o........ Feb 2015 279ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX520..+....3.5/53.5/5 Jul 2014 399ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX700..+ +....4/54/5 Feb 2014 349ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX400..+........ Jul 2014 249ebay.com
11.
 
Sony WX800............ Oct 2018 399ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

logo
Check SX500 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check SX510 offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Canon SX500 vs Canon SX510

    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 Specifications
    Camera Model Canon SX500 Canon SX510
    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 August 2012 August 2013
    Launch Price USD 329 USD 249
    Sensor Specs Canon SX500 Canon SX510
    Sensor Technology CCD CMOS
    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 1080/24p Video
    ISO Setting 80 - 1,600 ISO 80 - 3,200 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 4 DIGIC 4
    Screen Specs Canon SX500 Canon SX510
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder no viewfinder
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 461k dots 461k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon SX500 Canon SX510
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 0.8 shutter flaps/s 3.8 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 SX500 Canon SX510
    External Flash no Hotshoe no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Body Specs Canon SX500 Canon SX510
    Battery Type Canon NB-6L Canon NB-6LH
    Battery Life (CIPA)195 shots per charge250 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80 mm
    (4.1 x 2.8 x 3.1 in)
    104 x 70 x 80 mm
    (4.1 x 2.8 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 341 g (12.0 oz) 349 g (12.3 oz)
    logo
    Check SX500 offers at
    ebay.com
    logo
    Check SX510 offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Canon SX500 vs Canon SX510