• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 336.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon 530 HS advantages over Sony WX500

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 35 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    164g vs 236g
    Lighter weight
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony WX500 advantages over Canon 530 HS

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 336 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 190 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 530 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony WX500

Review Excerpt

  • Slim and stylish camera body designed with Canon's classic "box-and-circle" look; highly portable, versatile 12x lens; gorgeous 3.2-inch screen.

  • Built-in WiFi could be easier to use; not everyone will like the touchscreen; average image quality and below average battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Canon SD4500 IS

Canon 530 HS
Canon SD4500 IS
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
Sony WX500
Canon SD4500 IS
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon 510 HS

Canon 530 HS
Canon 510 HS
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Sony WX500
Canon 510 HS
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Canon 520 HS

Canon 530 HS
Canon 520 HS
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Sony WX500
Canon 520 HS
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony HX90V

Canon 530 HS
Sony HX90V
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony WX500
Sony HX90V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony HX80

Canon 530 HS
Sony HX80
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony WX500
Sony HX80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Compare Other Cameras?