Canon PowerShot
SX30 IS
 vs
Nikon Coolpix
P500

Updated (February, 2012): Compare the Canon Powershot SX40 vs Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P500

57

  
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

52

  

Reasons to buy the Nikon Coolpix P500

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
920k dots
High-speed framerate
 High speed movies
240 fps
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
10 fps
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Sensor type
 CMOS Sensor
Better in low light
 

Reasons to buy the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Aperture
 Wide aperture
f/2.7
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
External flash
 External flash
Better lighting
 

differences

Advantages of the Canon SX30 IS
Aperture Significantly wider aperture f/2.7 vs f/3.5
Help
 At its widest zoom, the SX30 IS's lens captures slightly more light (0.7 f-stops)
Image stabilization Better image stabilization Lens vs Sensor shift
Help
 Less risk of blur
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
 An external flash often produces better looking flash images
Macro focus Better macro capability 0 cm vs 1 cm
Help
 Almost the same
True resolution Slightly higher true resolution 9.8 MP vs 9.7 MP
Help
 Almost the same
Fastest shutter speed Faster max shutter speed 1/3200s vs 1/2000s
Help
 Around 40% faster max shutter speed
Longest exposure Longer exposures 15s vs 8s
Help
 Around 90% longer exposures
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Learn more about
the Canon SX30 IS

Advantages of the Nikon P500
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 230k dots
Help
 4x higher resolution screen
Screen size Significantly larger screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
Help
 More than 10% larger screen
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies 240 fps vs None
Help
 Capture events too fast for the naked eye and play them back in super-slow motion
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
 CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster 10 fps vs 1.1 fps
Help
 More than 9x faster continuous shooting
Size Smaller 116x84x103 mm vs 123x92x108 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller
Wide angle Slightly better wide angle 23 mm vs 24 mm
Help
 Almost the same
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 3,200 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
 The P500's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Zoom Slightly more zoom 36x vs 35x
Help
 Around 10% more zoom
Weight Lighter 481 g vs 601 g
Help
 Around 20% lighter
Thickness Slightly thinner 4.1" vs 4.3"
Help
 Almost the same
Nikon Coolpix P500 Learn more about
the Nikon P500
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent super zooms, and ignoring price

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
52 vs 57
Explain scores
Nikon Coolpix P500 Nikon Coolpix P500
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon Coolpix P500.

similarities

Compared to recent digicams

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Zoom Incredible zoom Help
SX30 IS:35x
P500:36x
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Macro focus Good macro capabilities Help
SX30 IS:0 cm
P500:1 cm
Viewfinder Both have digital viewfinders Help
Digital
Lowest price Very expensive Help
SX30 IS:$594.66
P500:$596.23
Thickness Quite thick Help
SX30 IS:4.3"
P500:4.1"
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
Weight Heavy Help
SX30 IS:601 g
P500:481 g
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Size Large Help
SX30 IS:123x92x108 mm
P500:116x84x103 mm
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support

Compared to recent super zooms

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.
Supports RAW No RAW support Help
Less editing fidelity
External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
SX30 IS:1,600 ISO
P500:3,200 ISO

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P510

Super zoom

$339 - $349
Zoom Has significantly more zoom
HDR Has in-camera HDR
Macro focus Slightly worse macro focusing
Aperture Has a slightly narrower aperture
Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the Coolpix P500
Canon Powershot SX40

Canon Powershot SX40

Super zoom

$299 - $311
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Battery life Has a significantly longer battery life
Weight Is slightly heavier
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the Powershot SX40 vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Compare the Powershot SX40 vs the Coolpix P500
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Super zoom

$429 - $450
Zoom Has way more more zoom
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the PowerShot SX50 HS vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Compare the PowerShot SX50 HS vs the Coolpix P500
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR

Super zoom
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Light sensitivity Much higher maximum light sensitivity
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the FinePix HS20 EXR vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Compare the FinePix HS20 EXR vs the Coolpix P500
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS

Super zoom

$248 - $249
Size Is slightly smaller
Thickness Is thinner
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder Doesn't have a viewfinder
Compare the PowerShot SX500 IS vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Compare the PowerShot SX500 IS vs the Coolpix P500
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Super zoom

$642 - $683
Battery life Has a significantly longer battery life
GPS Has a built-in GPS
Weight Is slightly heavier
Wide angle Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens
Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs the Coolpix P500
Nikon Coolpix P100

Nikon Coolpix P100

Super zoom
Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Wide angle Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens
Compare the Coolpix P100 vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Compare the Coolpix P100 vs the Coolpix P500

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS.

Nikon Coolpix P500 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Coolpix P520

Nikon Coolpix P520

Super zoom

$427
Aperture Wider aperture
Zoom More zoom
High-speed framerate Lower speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots slower
Compare the Coolpix P520 vs the Coolpix P500

appearance

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Nikon Coolpix P500
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Nikon Coolpix P500
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Nikon Coolpix P500

discussion

Showing 25 comments

Nillohit Mukherjee (11:10 AM, October 07, 2011)
dear Alejandro22682
go for some DSLR, not the digitial cams.  only DSLRs can meet your requirement.
 
ahmed (6:05 PM, October 06, 2011)
Anyone have tried new Firmware update for P500. It resolved quite a few problems https://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/49736
 
PGAcer11 (3:42 AM, October 06, 2011)
Did U return the P500 and if so which DSLR did U get?
 
Avatar for edwil658 edwil658 (8:33 AM, October 01, 2011)
Advantage to Canon Sx30is for me because of the LCD screen 360 degree angles to flip the srceen completely around to see yourself in video's or photo's with timer. Color swap is my favorite & continuous shooting flashes with each shot, Nikon's continuous shooting is much faster but the flash doesn't work with continuous shooting. Ability to save your favorite settings & get to them in 1 touch. Ability to add a light on the hotshoe for dark video's.  Nikon p500 does none of these things which made it easy for me not to mention all the other stuff everyone else has already said & Batterie's don't even compare.
 
Edwil658 (8:05 AM, October 01, 2011)
Canon's hotshoe allows you to attach flash with constant light for dark night video's
 
Edwil658 (8:00 AM, October 01, 2011)
That 1.1 fps does work with the flash, Nikon doesn't. good for night party shots
 
Alejandro22682 (11:31 AM, September 26, 2011)
Hello Snapshot !! I wanted to know which camera (Nikon P500 or Canon SX30 Is) is better suited for taking pictures of faces very closely because I am a professional makeup artist and need very close and real photos. Thanks for your reply.
 
Tonzer (3:59 PM, September 16, 2011)
hi guys :)
its really hard to choose one of these cameras .. both are really good
i have not tried these cams yet .. but i will buy one of them soon
i think sx30 will shoot high quality pictures with CCD sensor

could you please help me in this .. i care about one thing .. picture quality
what cam shoot better quality ?

thank you :)
have a nice day
 
Ravichavan1 (6:44 PM, September 06, 2011)
Nikon p500 is best
 
Dino (7:58 PM, August 31, 2011)
I will be getting one of them nikon P500 or Cannon SX30IS, but after googling a lot find Cannon SX30IS is the winner due to some battery life, but on pen and paper Nikon's CMOS sensor should do better than Cannon's CCD Sensor. Any views in this regard??? else inclined to get Cannon. Please comment
 
Merilin (5:10 PM, August 22, 2011)
1.1 fps for SX20 and SX30 is a crap. If Canon solve this on the next SX40IS the camera will be a Oscar!
 
Jwbaez (4:27 PM, August 15, 2011)
Forget about specs, both have great specs but doesn't mean good results, I've have the chance to try both and definitive SX30IS is much better than P500, on P500 the pictures blur very easily and record video only with low zoom because at high zoom if you not using tripod is a crap. SX30IS is not perfect but produce wonderful picture results most of time and 720p HD video is enough for 47' Tv, you can't see difference with 1080p at that size. The battery life in Canon is far superior I can take more than 900 shots and with Nikon only around 300.
 
Robin (6:58 PM, July 07, 2011)
My husband and I went back and forth over these two models. We ultimately chose the Canon SX30IS and have not regretted it at all! We took some test shots while driving down the road: the stability is AMAZING and the zoom feature is outstanding. I like to use the view finder and Colin uses the screen...both work great. The color replacement feature is fun to use. We bought the camera for our upcoming trip to Europe but it's great to have for daily use, too!
We HIGHLY recommend the Canon for two main reasons: Stability (even while moving and in windy conditions) and Zoom (Colin took an amazing shot across a soccer pitch of a friend of ours-so clear!). You will not be disappointed with this camera!
 
Anne (10:04 AM, June 26, 2011)
Hello! I want to buy either a P500, a SX30 or a Fuji HS-20/22. Which should I buy once I care a lot more about photography than video and I really want good quality images, good stabilization and great color?
 
Luoka46 (9:01 AM, June 18, 2011)
this one may work..http://www.internetbestsecrets.com/2011/06/how-to-fix-nikon-p500-battery-problem.html
 
Luoka46 (1:40 AM, June 17, 2011)
huh...ur liar p500 is nice..ur only newbie..u dont know how to use p500...
 
Do (8:35 PM, June 09, 2011)
So from this message I can conclude that Canon has a much longer battery life than Nikon? I'm going to buy a camera to take pictures at a backpacking holiday so I can't use a camera that needs recharching every 100 pictures. I'm also considering to buy an extra battery but if it lasts for 1900 pictures I'm good with just one....
 
3girlymom (1:42 PM, June 08, 2011)
I am torn.  I bought a Nikon P500 from Costco and returned it after 5 days.  Pics were great.  Video blurry when zooming.  Battery life wasn't long.  My P500 wouldn't stop blinking for the battery charge.  After about 85 pics it needed recharging. I called Nikon about the light not going off for the battery charge.  They told me when the battery needed recharging to watch it. It would only need 2 - 2 1/2 hours to charge.  After 3 hours the camera was still flashing that it was charging.  They told me to buy a new battery and charger, or return it, or send it to them.  I returned it.  Pics I took were great.  Not sure if I buy this again or go for a Canon XS30IS. My MIL has the Canon.  Side by side the Nikon zoom was better, so were some pictures we took of the same objects.  I do like how the Canon image orientation will change on the screen pending how you are holding it.
 
Sherif_soaida (10:43 AM, May 18, 2011)
 i got the p500......and used it for a month now. during video u can get excellent snaps at 2 megapixles.......this is even better than canon sx30is as snaps r taken smoothly without affecting the video or producing any sound, but with the canon snaps creates a pause in the movie u r taking and gives a snap sound. as regards the zooming during video recording.......there is good focusing......may b delayed for milliseconds, but good and dont bother u on play back. go and recheck
 
Adig (6:41 PM, May 06, 2011)
Hello, I really don't which one to chose...actually i'm not that into making movies but pictures, all kind, outdoor, portraits, details, dark, light...i'm reading all kind of things and what i see is quite 50/50 opinions...help me please ;)
 
Leonardo nobile (2:23 PM, May 06, 2011)
HI MAGPRESS! HAVE YOU PROVED THE CANON SX30 YET?
 
EnriGor (2:48 PM, May 01, 2011)
I had the oportunity to try both cameras on the store and "play" with them for arround one hour. I had in my mind that the Nikon was much better but anyway I tried the Canon and if you have enough time to go trough all the menus and test the photos at full zoon you will see the Canon is way better. Some facts I saw on the store but haven't found online: 1. Cannon has two procesors, it makes you can take pictures while recording a video (Nikon don't). 2. Nikon at full zoom starts to "move" the picture, and you feel there is a motor moving all time within the camera, while Canon has a very good stability on full zoom. 3. if you are recording a video with the Nikon and zoom in, there is no focus correction, so the video is completely blur while in the Canon the focalization is the same as with the pictures.
There are many more reasons. Try yourself, find a store with both cameras and test them at the same time. Good luck.
 
Thakurdalipsingh (0:44 PM, April 29, 2011)
no other camera has raw and manual zoom except Fuji HS11/22.
Nikon is slightly better with 1 mm wider angle but slow max apertuyre 3.5 agains puts it back.
 
fernando rodriguez (5:51 AM, April 25, 2011)
you should consider the battery life and the flash hot shoe
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:30 PM, April 21, 2011)
I do not think you will be disappointed with any of these cameras. What types of photos will you be taking with this camera and is video important to you?