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Features
Playback, Editing and Print Functions
Battery Information
Inputs and Outputs Notes
Supplied Software

Recording Features

LCD Monitor: The Canon PowerShot SX500 IS has a 3" TFT LCD monitor, featuring 461,000 dots with approximately 100% picture coverage. The LCD display's brightness can be adjusted to one of five levels. The LCD display also features a Night Display feature that when shooting in dark conditions, the camera automatically brightens the LCD monitor to suit the brightness of the subject, making it easier to frame the subject.

Note: There is no separate viewfinder on this camera.

Image Sensor: The camera is equipped with a 1/2.3" CMOS image sensor with 16.6-million total pixels, and 16-million effective pixels.

Optics and Stabilization: The SX500 IS has a 30x optical zoom lens with a 4.3-129mm focal length (35mm equivalent is 24-720mm). The built-in lens shift-type Image Stabilizer helps control camera shake to give you clear images when you're zoomed way in. Image Stabilization can be used for Still Images (Dynamic IS), Panning (Powered IS), and Macro Shots (Hybrid IS).

Zoom: In addition to the 30x optical zoom, the camera features a 4x digital zoom. When used in combination, the total zoom is approximately 120x. When optical and digital zoom are combined, the total focal length is 24-2880mm (35mm equivalent).

Digital Tele-Converter: The focal length of the lens can be increased by an equivalent of 1.6x or 2.0x through the use of the Digital Tele-Converter. The equivalent focal lengths of the lens (35mm equivalent) are 38.4-1152mm when using the 1.6x digital tele-converter, and 48-1440mm with the 2.0x tele-converter. The digital zoom and digital tele-converter cannot be used simultaneously.

Recording Media: The camera records still images or moving images with stereo audio on SD Memory Cards (2GB or less), SDHC Memory Cards (4GB to 32GB), and SDXC Memory Cards (32GB and higher). Still images are recorded in JPEG format, and the movies are recorded in MOV format (Image data: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM (stereo)). The camera has no built-in memory, and no memory card is included with the camera.

Still Image Resolution/Compression: The SX500 IS can record still images in 4 different sizes (Large, Medium 1, Medium 2, and Small) and 4 aspect ratios (4:3, 16:9, 3:2, and 1:1). For each resolution, you can set the compression to Fine or Normal. You can choose from the following resolutions:

Movies: Movies can be shot in High Definition at 1280 x 720 at 25 fps with stereo audio. Standard definition movies can be recorded at 640 x 480 pixels, with a frame rate of 30 frames per second and stereo audio. Recording will automatically stop when either the clip file size reaches 4 GB or the recording time reaches approximately 30 minutes for HD, and 1 hour for SD. SD Speed Class 6 or higher memory cards are recommended when recording movies.

Movie Modes: There are 3 Movie Modes to choose from:

• Standard: Shoots standard movies
• iFrame: Shoots movies that can be edited with iFrame compatible software or devices
• Miniature Effect: Shoot movies that look like scenes in  miniature models. People and objects appear to move quickly during playback.

Continuous Shooting Mode: You can use the continuous shooting mode to shoot successive frames while the shutter button is fully pressed. You can shoot continuously at approximately 0.8 images per second. In the Low Light mode, you can shoot at approximately 2.8 images per second.

Focusing Range: The camera features the following focus ranges (from the end of the lens):

• Auto: 0" to infinity (W), 4.6' to infinity (T)
• Macro: 0" to infinity (W)
• Normal: 2" to infinity (W), 4.6' to infinity (T)
• Manual Focus: 0" to infinity (W), 4.6' to infinity

Shooting Modes: Using the mode dial on the top of the camera, you can switch between the following shooting modes:

• Manual: You can manually set the shutter speed and aperture.
• Aperture Priority: You can set the aperture to a value at which you want to shoot, and the camera sets the appropriate shutter speed for the aperture you set. Aperture values can be set between F3.4 to F8.0.
• Shutter Priority: You can set the shutter speed to a value at which you want to shoot, and the camera sets the appropriate aperture value for the shutter speed you set. Shutter speeds can be set between 15 and 1/1600 seconds.
• Program: The camera sets both the aperture value and shutter speed.
• Live View Control: Image brightness, colors, and tone can be easily customized while shooting.
• Auto: The camera will automatically select the best settings for the scene.
• Scene: Select from the following, according to the scene or effects desired: Portrait, Low Light, Snow, and Fireworks.
• Creative Filters: You can add various effects to images when shooting, such as Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, and Monochrome.
• Discreet Mode: Lets you shoot without the flash or camera sounds.
• Movies: Record movies in High Definition or Standard Definition in Standard Mode, iFrame Movie, and Miniature Effect modes.

Metering Modes: You can select from the following metering modes:

• Evaluative Light Metering: used for standard conditions. The area within the frame is divided into several zones and light is measured based on subject position, brightness, direct light and backlighting.
• Center-Weighted Averaging: averages the exposure from the entire image, but places more weight on the subject at the center
• Spot: meters the area within the spot AE point at the center of the LCD monitor or viewfinder.

Exposure Compensation: If you are shooting against a bright background or strong backlight, you may need to correct the exposure so that the subject doesn't come out too dark. You can set the adjustments from -2 to +2 in 1/3-step increments.

Locking the Exposure Setting (AE Lock): You can set the exposure and focus separately. This is effective when the contrast is too strong between the subject and background, or when a subject is backlit. Flash Exposure Lock (FE Lock), just as with the AE lock, lets you lock the exposure for shooting with the flash.

White Balance: You can choose from the following white balance settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, and Custom.

Flash Modes: The PowerShot SX500 IS has a built-in pop-up flash. You can select Auto (flash fires in low light), Slow-synchro, On (flash always fires), or Off (flash doesn't fire). The built-in flash has a range of 1.6' to 16' in Wide Angle and 4.6' to 9.8' in Telephoto. In the menu, you can turn on the Red-Eye Reduction lamp for the flash, and apply Red-Eye Correction to the images that have been taken.

ISO Speed: The ISO speed can be set Automatically (ISO Auto), or manually to ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, or 1600. Lowering the ISO speed results in sharper images but there's a greater chance of subject or image blurring in certain shooting conditions. Raising the ISO speed results in a faster shutter speed, reducing blurred images. The images, however, will appear more coarse.

My Colors: You can choose the look and feel of the photos you take by using My Colors to add the following effects to the image you are currently recording or have already recorded: Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, B/W, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, and Custom Color.

Self-Timer: The SX500 IS utilizes a 10-second, 2-second, and a custom self-timer to allow the photographer to be included in the shot, or to avoid camera shake when using a tripod. The custom self-timer allows you to set the time delay to 1-15, 20, 25, or 30 seconds for up to 10 shots.

Playback, Editing and Print Functions

Index Display: This feature allows you to view 4, 9, 36, or 100 images at once on the LCD monitor so that you can search for an image quickly. Movies cannot be played in the index playback mode. You can view the index display by rotating the zoom lever toward wide angle while the camera is in playback mode.

Filtered Playback: When there are many images on the memory card, you can filter and display them by a specified filter. You can also protect or delete all images at once while filtered. Available filters include: Favorites, Shot Date, My Category, and Still Image/Movie.

Review Info: You can choose different ways to display your photos/movies: No Information, Detailed Information, and Focus Check.

Red-Eye Correction: You can correct red eyes in already recorded images. However, red eyes may not be automatically detected in some images such as faces near the screen edge, faces that appear extremely small, larger dark or bright in relation to the overall image and faces turned to the side or at a diagonal and faces with a portion hidden which prevents the Red-Eye Correction from working. You can choose to overwrite the file with the corrected image, or store the image as a new file, retaining the original image.

PictBridge: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a PictBridge-compatible printer of any brand. In this way, you can make prints directly from the camera without having to connect to a computer.

Battery Information

Power Requirements: The Canon PowerShot SX500 IS powered by the NB-6L Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery. The camera includes the CB-2LY battery charger, which can charge the NB-6L battery in approximately 1 hour 55 minutes. For long periods of continuous use, or when connected to a computer, it is recommended that the camera be connected to the optional ACK-DC40 AC adapter kit. A fully-charged battery will last for approximately 195 shots, 50 minutes of movie shooting time, 1 hour 30 minutes of continuous shooting, and 4 hours of playback time.

Date/Time Battery: The camera uses a built-in backup battery for maintaining the date and time data for about three weeks after the battery pack has been removed. By inserting a charged battery or connecting an AC adapter kit, the date/time battery can be charged in approximately 4 hours, even if the camera is not turned on.

Power Saving Functions: The camera is equipped with the following power saving functions:

• Auto Power Down for Shooting Mode: The screen will turn off approximately 1 minute after the camera is last operated. You can "wake" the camera at this point by pressing the shutter button halfway to turn on the screen and continue shooting. After about 2 more minutes, if no buttons are pressed, the lens will retract and the power will turn off.
• Auto Power Down for Playback Mode and Connection to a Printer: The camera power down approximately 5 minutes after the last control is accessed on the camera.

Note: The Power Saving Function will not activate during a Slide-Show or while the camera is connected to a computer.

Inputs and Outputs Notes

HDMI Output: The PowerShot SX500 IS is equipped with a mini-HDMI (Type C) for connecting the camera to your HDTV. An optional mini-HDMI-to-HDMI cable, such as the Canon HTC-100, is required.

A/V Output/Digital Terminal: The camera has a Mini-B Version 2.0 USB terminal to allow you to connect the camera to a compatible computer or compatible Canon printer via the supplied USB cable. This USB 2.0 Hi-Speed-compatible terminal allows you to rapidly download images to your computer or printer. Through the same USB jack, you can connect the camera to a TV or video monitor with stereo RCA audio and composite video input jacks using the optional AVC-DC400ST Stereo AV Cable. You can set the video output to NTSC or PAL.

Supplied Software

Included Software: The PowerShot SX500 IS comes supplied with the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk Ver.121.0 CD-ROM. It contains the following programs:

• Canon Utilities:
  • ImageBrowser EX 1.0: import images and change camera settings; manage images (view, search, organize); print and edit images
  • CameraWindow DC 8.9: transfer images to and from camera, organize images on the camera, and upload movies on the camera to web services
  • PhotoStitch 3.1 (Windows) / 3.2 (Mac): use to merge still images to make panoramas
• User Guides: Camera User Guide, Software Guide

Compatible Operating Systems:

• Windows 7 (SP1)
• Windows Vista (SP2)
• Windows XP (SP3)
• Mac OS X (v10.6-v10.7)