Design
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS has a relatively small design, this is the advantage or disadvantage depends on the needs and preferences of each person. If you like a compact camera to carry with you on travel, the PowerShot SX500 IS is good.
However, this compact design of the PowerShot SX500 IS is not attractive to some because of its lack of robustness; Small, lightweight, it is easy to shake hands when taking pictures, although the machine can fit in the palm of a normal young man and design elevated in the handle on the right hand to handle easily. Also, because of its compactness, when photographed with both hands, the left hand easily covers part of the flash. To overcome this, users should place their hands below the lens when shooting.
The PowerShot SX500 IS’s 3-inch display is just enough to view photos, make settings, but the plastic screen is easy to scratch so users should add a protective cover. The lens has been provided by Canon with a pretty eye-catching cover. The adjustment buttons do not cause any problems during use.
Function
The Canon PowerShot SX500 IS features a 30x zoom, Digic 4 processor, anti-shake and shutter lag in the current Canon compact. These are the details worth considering when buying the PowerShot SX500 IS.
Next to the CMOS sensors in today’s professional DSLRs, the CCD in the PowerShot SX500 IS is nothing special. Its siblings, the SX40 HS and SX50 HS, both use a newer CMOS sensor and Canon’s DIGIC 5 processor. They give up some resolution, 12.1 megapixels against the SX500’s 16, but their image quality is better for it. They cost more, but for the quality difference, that’s a fair trade.
In addition, aperture, the PowerShot SX500 IS has aperture in the range of F3.4 to F5.8. With this setting, it is very difficult for the PowerShot SX500 IS to meet the demand for background blur, unless set to priority mode (Aperture Priority) and large, clear display. The light sensitivity (ISO) of 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 is enough to capture images in many different cases.
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS 16.0 MP Digital Camera with 30x Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) (OLD MODEL): Buy it now
Performance
16 megapixels, up to 4608 x 3456 at 4:3, around 5MB a shot, that’s plenty for printing. If you’re only ever viewing on a screen, though, drop to 1600 x 1200 and you’ll save real space, down to a few hundred KB a file, and it still looks sharp on a monitor.
Video’s HD too. A 16GB card gets you about 1.5 hours at 1280 x 720, or nearly 3 hours if you drop to SD (640 x 480). You can zoom while recording without the frame jumping around, it moves in and out smoothly the whole time.
Included with the PowerShot SX500 IS is the Lithium NB-L6 battery. According to Canon, the battery capacity is sufficient to capture up to 195 shots with a full charge, but less with continuous zoom when shooting with the flash.
Image quality
The quality of the photos taken with the PowerShot SX500 IS only achieved, not really excellent. Photos taken with maximum zoom still good, can clearly see the lines of the objects.
In low light conditions, take pictures with the help of the flash, objects in the light range of the warm light, and the details too far away to be disturbed. Users should take an evening photo with the PowerShot SX500 IS Flash at no more than 2 meters.
The machine is especially suitable for taking pictures of wild animals, taking pictures of nature. The PowerShot SX500 IS also exhibits remarkable power when shooting subjects, moving objects and focusing very well.
Features and Functionality
Zoom
30x optical zoom, 24-720mm equivalent. Wide enough for landscapes, long enough to pull in wildlife from a distance most cameras this size can’t touch. Canon’s Optical IS cuts down the shake that shows up at the long end when you’re shooting handheld.
Modes and controls
Auto’s there for the basics, but you’ve also got Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and full Manual if you want more control. Scene modes, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Portrait, take care of the tuning automatically. Image stabilization earns its keep in low light and at high zoom, though it’s not magic, bad enough conditions will still beat it.
Connectivity
No Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth. Getting photos off the camera means an SD card reader or a USB cable, nothing wireless. That’s a real miss next to cameras that shipped later with built-in sharing.
Day-to-day use
Menus are easy to navigate, buttons and the mode dial land where your fingers expect them. The 3-inch LCD gets the job done for framing and checking shots, just don’t expect much clarity outdoors in direct sun, it’s not a high-res panel. If you’ve shot a Canon PowerShot before, the menu layout will feel instantly familiar.
Grip’s secure, weight’s manageable for a full day out. Bigger hands might find the compact body a little tight, though.
Where it wins and where it doesn’t
The 30x zoom is the reason to buy this camera, genuinely useful for wildlife or sports when you can’t get close. Add in accurate color, an easy learning curve, and a body that stays reasonably compact despite the lens, and it covers a lot of ground for casual shooters.
Where it comes up short: the CCD sensor gets noisy once you push the ISO, there’s no wireless anything, video maxes out at 720p with autofocus that lags during recording, and the screen won’t do you any favors in bright sun. Autofocus in general is a step behind what you’d get from a DSLR or mirrorless body.
Even so, it’s a reasonable pick for zoom reach without the bulk of a DSLR. Care more about low light, video, or getting photos off wirelessly? The SX510 HS, Nikon Coolpix L820, or Panasonic Lumix FZ70 handle those better.
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Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.