Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs.
In this section, We are going to illustrate Canon SX30 IS and Nikon P500 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Canon SX30 IS has external dimensions of 123 x 92 x 108 mm (4.84 x 3.62 x 4.25″) and weighs 601 g (1.32 lb / 21.20 oz) (including batteries). Nikon P500 has external dimensions of 116 x 84 x 10 mm (4.57 x 3.31 x 4.06″) and weighs 494 g (1.09 lb / 17.43 oz) (including batteries).
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Canon SX30 IS and Nikon P500. Nikon P500 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 7mm narrower, 8mm shorter and 5mm thinner than Canon SX30 IS.
![Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon P500 Camera Size Comparison - Front View]()
Comparison image of Canon SX30 IS and Nikon P500 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View
Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day.
Nikon P500 is significantly lighter (107g ) than the Canon SX30 IS which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.
Weight Comparison
Bridge Cameras
Thickness Comparison
Bridge Cameras
Weather Sealing
Unfortunately neither Canon PowerShot SX30 IS nor Nikon Coolpix P500 provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections: Top Bridge Cameras with Weather Sealing
LCD Screen Size and Features
Nikon P500's 3" LCD screen is slightly larger than Canon SX30 IS's 2.7" screen.
Canon SX30 IS has a 14.0MP 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Digic 4 processor. On the other hand, Nikon P500 has a 12.0MP 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Expeed C2 processor.
Below you can see the SX30 IS and P500 sensor size comparison.
![Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon P500 Sensor Size Comparison]()
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon SX30 IS and Nikon P500 Cameras
Canon SX30 IS and Nikon P500 have sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.
Canon SX30 IS features a 24-840 mm F2.7-5.8 35× zoom lens whereas Nikon P500 features a 23-810 mm F3.4-5.7 36× zoom lens.
Nikon P500 has 1mm wider coverage than the Canon SX30 IS. On the other hand, with a max aperture of f2.70, Canon SX30 IS is faster at widest end.
On the tele end, Canon SX30 IS has 30mm longer reach than the Nikon P500. However, with a max aperture of f5.70, Nikon P500 is faster at tele end.
Wide Coverage
DSLR-Like Cameras
Telezoom
DSLR-Like Cameras
Max Aperture at Tele
DSLR-Like Cameras
Max Aperture at Wide
DSLR-Like Cameras
In this section, we rank and compare Canon SX30 IS and Nikon P500 for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.
Canon SX30 IS for Portrait Photography
Nikon P500 for Portrait Photography
Image Stabilization
External Flash Shoe
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 14.0MP
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
Read the details
Canon SX30 IS for Street Photography
Nikon P500 for Street Photography
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Live-view
Fully Articulated LCD Screen
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.70
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Medium sized Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
23 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Medium sized Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details
Canon SX30 IS for Sports Photography
Nikon P500 for Sports Photography
Image Stabilization
External Flash Shoe
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
840 mm Tele Lens
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Average Max shutter speed: 1/3200s
No RAW shooting capability
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.80
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
810 mm Tele Lens
Average Ergonomics&Handling
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Slow Max shutter speed: 1/1500s
9 Focus Points
Poor Battery Life: 220 shots
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.70
Read the details
Canon SX30 IS for Daily Photography
Nikon P500 for Daily Photography
35.0X Optical Zoom
Medium size Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
601g
Body Thickness 108mm
Read the details
35.2X Optical Zoom
Medium size Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
494g
Body Thickness 103mm
Read the details
Canon SX30 IS for Landscape Photography
Nikon P500 for Landscape Photography
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 14.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
23 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Canon SX30 IS and Nikon P500, below you can find their scores in five different aspects.
Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.
Here is a summary of how Canon SX30 IS and Nikon P500 scores compare:
Canon SX30 IS
Ranked
#69 out of 113 in SLR-like (bridge) cameras
Ranked
#626 out of 1220 in all Cameras
Nikon P500
Ranked
#50 out of 113 in SLR-like (bridge) cameras
Ranked
#553 out of 1220 in all Cameras
Nikon P500 has a higher Overall Score than the Canon SX30 IS and would be our choice if we have to decide between these two cameras.
| General |
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS |
Nikon Coolpix P500 |
| Brand |
Canon |
Nikon |
| Announced |
2010-09-14 |
2011-02-09 |
| Body Type |
SLR-like (bridge) |
SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor |
|
|
| Type |
CCD |
BSI-CMOS |
| Size |
1/2.3" |
1/2.3" |
| Dimensions |
6.17 x 4.55 mm |
6.17 x 4.55 mm |
| Area |
28.07mm2 |
28.07mm2 |
| Megapixels |
14 megapixels |
12 megapixels |
| Max Resolution |
4320 x 3240 |
4000 x 3000 |
| Max Native Light sensitivity |
1,600 ISO |
3,200 ISO |
| Min Native Light sensitivity |
80 ISO |
160 ISO |
| RAW Support |
|
|
Autofocus |
|
|
| AF Touch |
|
|
| AF Continuous |
|
|
| AF Single |
|
|
| AF Tracking |
|
|
| AF Selective |
|
|
| AF Center |
|
|
| AF Multi Area |
|
|
| AF Live View |
|
|
| AF Face Detection |
|
|
| AF Contrast Detection |
|
|
| AF Phase Detection |
|
|
| Number of Focus Points |
9 |
9 |
Lens |
|
|
| Manual Focus |
|
|
| Lens Mount |
fixed lens |
fixed lens |
| Lens Focal Range |
24-840 mm (35×) |
23-810 mm (36×) |
| Max Aperture |
F2.7-5.8 |
F3.4-5.7 |
| Macro Focus Range |
0cm |
1cm |
Screen |
|
|
| Type |
Fully Articulated |
Tilting |
| Size |
2.7" |
3" |
| Resolution |
230k dots |
921k dots |
| Touch Screen |
|
|
Viewfinder |
|
|
| Viewfinder |
Electronic |
Electronic |
Photography Features |
|
|
| Max Mechanical Shutter |
1/3200s |
1/1500s |
| Shutter Priority |
|
|
| Aperture Priority |
|
|
| Manual Exposure Mode |
|
|
| Custom White Balance |
|
|
| Image Stabilization |
Optical |
Sensor-shift |
| Built-in Flash |
|
|
| Flash Range |
6.80 m |
8.00 m |
| External Flash |
|
|
| Continuous Shooting |
1.0 fps |
1.0 fps |
| Multi-Segment |
|
|
| Average |
|
|
| Spot |
|
|
| Partial |
|
|
| AF-Area |
|
|
| Center Weighted |
|
|
| AE Bracketing |
|
|
| WB Bracketing |
|
|
Video Features |
|
|
| Max Video Resolution |
1280 x 720 |
1920 x 1080 |
| Video Formats |
Motion JPEG |
MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone Port |
|
|
| Headphone Port |
|
|
Connectivity |
|
|
| Wireless Connectivity |
Eye-Fi Connected |
None |
| HDMI |
|
|
Physical |
|
|
| Environmental Sealing |
|
|
| Weight |
601g |
494g |
| Dimensions |
123 x 92 x 108mm |
116 x 84 x 103mm |
| Battery Life |
n/a |
220 shots |
Other Features |
|
|
| Timelapse Recording |
|
|
| GPS |
None |
None |
DxO Sensor Scores |
|
|
|
Report a correction |
Report a correction |