• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus SP-720UZ
  • Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Canon SX510 HS
SX500 vs SX510 HS
General
Model Number: SP-720UZ SX500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price:   $329.99
Street Price: $124.92 $498.00
Date Available: 2012-03-30 2012-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 14.3 oz (405 g)
includes batteries 		12.0 oz (341 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 2.9 x 2.9 in.
(107 x 73 x 73 mm) 		4.1 x 2.7 x 3.2 in.
(104 x 70 x 80 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 14.0 16.0
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.44 microns 1.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4288 x 3216 (13.8 MP, 4:3),
4288 x 2416 (10.4 MP, Other),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3) 		4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 1832 (6.0 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2448 x 2448 (6.0 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 7.0 0.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 ()
1280x720 ()
640x480 () 		1280x720 (25p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: QuickTime Motion JPEG MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM (stereo))
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Olympus lens; 13 Lenses in 10 Groups, 4 Aspherical and 3 ED elements Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 26 - 676mm 24 - 720mm
Focal Length (actual): 4.7 - 121.2mm 4.3 - 129mm
Zoom Ratio: 26.00x 30.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.2 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - ??? f/3.4 (W) / f/5.8 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity 		0 cm to Infinity
0.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 0 cm
2.0 - 0.0 in 		0 - 50 cm
0.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detection; iESP, Face Detection AF, Spot, AF Tracking Contrast Detection; Face Detect AiAF, Single AF point (center or face select and track)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 460,000 dots 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, High Auto,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600; (Higher in 4MP Low Light scene mode)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten, Fluorescent 1, Custom (2) Auto (including Face Detection WB), Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1300 - 4 sec 1/1600 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Digital ESP Metering, Spot Metering Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame), Centre-weighted average, Spot (Center)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No Yes
Shutter Priority: No Yes
Full Manual Exposure: No Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene Modes (Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Night Scene with portrait, Sports, Indoor, Candle, Self-portrait, Sunset, Fireworks, Cuisine, Documents, Beach and Snow, Pet (cat), Pet (dog), Backlight HDR), Magic Filter (Pop Art, Pin Hole, Fisheye, Drawing, Soft Focus, Punk, Sparkle, Water color, Reflection, Miniature, Fragmented, Dramatic), Panorama, Movie, 3D Photos, Beauty & Make-up SCN (Portrait, FaceSelf-Timer, Low Light (4.0MP), Snow, Fireworks), Creative Filters (Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect), Discreet, My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color)
Self Timer: 2, 12, Pet Auto Shutter seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Off Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro; Red-Eye Reduction available
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: 0.3 - 2.1 m (ISO 100) 8.5 m (ISO 1600); 1.6 - 2.5 m (ISO 400) 4.9 m (ISO 1600) 1.6 ft. - 16 ft. (W), 4.6 - 9.8 ft. (T) (50cm - 5.0m (W), (1.4 - 3.0m (T))
Max Flash Sync:   1/1600
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: QuickTime Motion JPEG MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM (stereo))
Included Memory: 59.0 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): DC input, Combined AV/USB, Micro (Type D) HDMI Mini (Type-C) HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):    
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 7.0 0.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 8 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):    
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):    
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:    
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   195 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary LI-50B Proprietary NB-6L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary LI-50B Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-6L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software:   Canon software suite (ImageBrowser EX, PhotoStitch)
OS Compatibility:   Windows 7 SP1 / Vista SP2 / XP SP3, Mac OS X v10.6 - 10.7
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Dual Image Stabilization, Full HD 1080p Movies, Magic Filters, HDR Backlight Adjustment, AF Tracking, 3D Photo Shooting, In-Camera Panorama, High Speed Continuous Shooting. Available in black or silver. Optical Image Stabilization, DIGIC 4 Processor, Zoom Framing Assist, 720p HD Movies.