• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 432.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon S5 IS advantages over Nikon P500

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.7 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 450 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    77 mm vs 102 mm
    Thinner
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon P500 advantages over Canon S5 IS

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    810 mm vs 432 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 207k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.40 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    23 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm S4000

Canon S5 IS
Fujifilm S4000
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon S5 IS vs Fujifilm S4000

Nikon P500
Fujifilm S4000
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More dots on screen
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P500 vs Fujifilm S4000

Compared to Fujifilm SL300

Canon S5 IS
Fujifilm SL300
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $339
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon S5 IS vs Fujifilm SL300

Nikon P500
Fujifilm SL300
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More dots on screen
  • $339
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P500 vs Fujifilm SL300

Compared to Olympus SP-820UZ

Canon S5 IS
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon S5 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Nikon P500
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Nikon P500 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Compared to Canon SX50

Canon S5 IS
Canon SX50
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Fast startup
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • RAW file ability

Compare Canon S5 IS vs Canon SX50

Nikon P500
Canon SX50
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon P500 vs Canon SX50

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Canon S5 IS
Canon SX530 HS
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon S5 IS vs Canon SX530 HS

Nikon P500
Canon SX530 HS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon P500 vs Canon SX530 HS

Compare Other Cameras?