This also applies to the SX500 IS. Strictly speaking imposes itself purely optical already comparing two of the bigger brothers SX50 HS SX40 HS and from the PowerShot series on - or even equal to a digital SLR. Well - and partly comes the little Scheisserle approach also at least on the big brother SX40 HS, which I also call my own and with whom I compare it below. But only partly. And of DSLRs it is then but still quite far away ...
The most striking feature of comparison is certainly the zoom lens. As has the big brother with 35-times zoom some more, the SX500 IS, with its 30x lens but also quite impressive well equipped, at least for her otherwise but very compact dimensions. As for the pure zooming in blazing sunlight, so no massive differences. Both cameras deliver in accordance with calm hands sharp images. In vollaufgezogenem Zoom under low light but very well: The SX40 HS is at significantly less residual light still be able to shoot good pictures. Also consider the big brother is at fast moving targets (such as children who can not sit still and want to). Since the SX500IS is compared both times fairly quickly to its knees. Remedy to some extent creates the selectable object tracking mode here.
Sure, you can adjust shutter speed and aperture manually completely, a point which will come to meet especially advanced photographers with two cameras. For the beginner or the setting lazy users (that also I'm then probably) comes the but all rather complicated before - and he wants his predefined programs in all walks of life. It is just simply easier, in the program "Sport", "Portrait" or "sunset" to go, as these situations to remember for all the appropriate settings of shutter speed and aperture. Now I want my attitude laziness do not make the measure of a review, but worth mentioning I want it all - even if the Auto function in most circumstances usable shots supplies (the two exceptions "little [or article] light" and "fast movement" except times ). Overall, the SX500 IS is equipped nearly the same in the car function as the SX40 HS, the selectable programs alike. The difference is partly due to the different light sensitivity of the camera (the big brother is better off) and, above all, is probably true: the larger the lens makes the small but crucial difference. At this point, for the perceived poorer performance so for me a minus for the little brother. But a big plus he cashes on significantly improved macro function. The object of desire You can more or less photographed 0mm from the distance and receives a good, sharp picture. This may cause greater SX40 HS again not so good.
Compared me otherwise always interested in generally the same three themes:
1. Topic: battery time. The SX40 HS lasts substantially longer by, feat, the battery is indeed much larger and more powerful. The possible according to the manufacturer 195 recordings of the SX500 IS is a bit exaggerated. I came with the flash off as the 170. With flash: just 90. For me, everything fully OK, because flash me a) not consistent with each shot and b) I rarely do more than 170 shots in one day. And I can add: c) I already doing a replacement battery.
2. Topic: Blitz. But not as much as the big brother (7m) - The small ranges surprisingly far with 5m. It also offers no hot shoe for an external flash and remains simply provide a compact camera.
3. Topic: Shoot to Shoot. Or in German: How long does it take until the camera do the trigger again is ready? I would say gently: The SX500 IS comes but not even halfway to the larger SX40 HS approach, certainly not when it has to charge the flash. This can be seen alone in the already significant distinguishable from 2.4 frames / sec (SX40 HS) to 0.8 frames / s (SX 500 IS) lt. Manufacturer. And so already at all not to a DSLR ... For a compact, the SX 500 IS is again quite quickly.
A fourth theme interested me personally not give a damn, but it was the completeness addressed sake: film. As am and I remain a purist. I have never experienced in any camcorder a convincing Photo function, nor able to convince me "normal" cameras with their movie function. To provide both the SX40 HS and SX500 IS the full HD at 25 frames / s while for cameras quite good food .... but that still remain under the usual 30 frames / s with digital camcorders, what you really noticed how I find. As a compromise, even portable, stand-alone feature for me but not sufficient. Remarkably one does the zoom lenses of the noise, what, the other disturbs a more less. I prefer simply because the camcorder, which does not have this design-related problem. Who can live with it ...
In conclusion: If the SX500 IS not a true replacement for its SLR or better equipped (but much larger and thus: much heavier) bridge camera sees, but a top-equipped compact camera is looking, the one in miniature sizes and Kollibri weight much allowed to individual settings, which will have some fun with it. Who wants to just keep it, can also score with their good, because one has the offered variety of setting options does not fully utilize the Auto feature takes one from many things. But whoever has the highest requirements for images and camera, which will always find something somewhere, where you have to compromise on the SX500 IS. It is and remains just a compact camera - with the great advantage of being compact / light weight and the disadvantage of many houses just not in her little body, what greater Bridges or DSLRs can.
Conclusion: For me, compared to other compact full 5 points! The comparison with other super zooms can partly exist and partly there are certainly better equipment.
