Basic Specifications
Full model name: Canon PowerShot SX530 HS
Resolution: 16.00 Megapixels
Sensor size: 1/2.3 inch
(6.2mm x 4.6mm)
Lens: 50.00x zoom
(24-1,200mm eq.)
Viewfinder: No / LCD
Native ISO: 100 - 3200
Extended ISO: 100 - 3200
Shutter: 1/2000 - 15 sec
Max Aperture: 3.4
Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.2 x 3.6 in.
(120 x 82 x 92 mm)
Weight: 15.6 oz (442 g)
includes batteries
Availability: 02/2015
Manufacturer: Canon
Full specs: Canon SX530 HS specifications
16.00
Megapixels
50.00x zoom 1/2.3 inch
size sensor
image of Canon PowerShot SX530 HS
Front side of Canon SX530 HS digital camera Front side of Canon SX530 HS digital camera Front side of Canon SX530 HS digital camera    

Canon SX530 Review -- First Impressions

by William Brawley
Posted 01/05/2015

Canon's SX500-series digital cameras have traditionally been well known for offering a healthy, long zoom lens at a reasonable price. Two generations ago, the SX510 offered a 30x zoom with a list price of just $250. Last year, with the release of the SX520, Canon changed up the formula a bit. While the zoom reach was bumped up to a 42x lens, the camera maker also bumped up the price to around $400, and they removed the built-in Wi-Fi capabilities seen in the SX510. This year, however, with the newly announced Canon SX530 HS, at a list price of $430, the camera not only offers a longer optical zoom lens, but also improved wireless connectivity features.

The Canon SX530 gets a notable upgrade in the lens department with a whopping 50x optical zoom range. With a 24-1200mm equivalent zoom range, the SX530 undoubtedly gets placed into the "Superzoom" category. The SX530's lens is wide enough for big landscape shots and long enough to reach birds in treetops or even close-up shots of the moon. The camera features optical image stabilization to help steady things up, which is particularly helpful at full telephoto. The aperture range remains relatively similar, with an f/3.4 at the wide end and f/6.5 at the tele end, like the lens of the 50x zoom-equipped SX50.

Canon also reintroduces wireless connectivity to the SX530, after being noticeably absent in the previous model. Camera manufacturers are undoubtedly feeling the pressure from smartphones, as more and more people choose the device in their pocket over a dedicated camera for quick snaps, or out of sheer convenience. However, there are times when a full-featured, dedicated camera is the proper tool for the job, especially if a zoom lens is needed. Nevertheless, people still want the ability to quickly and easily share their photos with friends and family.

Not only does the Canon SX530 feature built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, with remote shooting capabilities, the camera also includes Near Field Communication (NFC) for simpler, one-tap connectivity to a smart device. However, unlike earlier Canon cameras with NFC, the SX530 introduces a nice improvement: Active Tag NFC.

With earlier "passive" NFC tags, photographers with NFC-enabled devices would tap the camera and automatically launch the companion mobile app. However, to transfer images and video, users had to manually begin this process. With Active Tag NFC, the new SX530 will bypass that step and automatically transfer images to the host device. In addition to NFC support for compatible smartphones and tablets, the SX530 is also compatible with the newly-announced Canon Connect Station CS100 HDTV set-top box for quick, simple sharing, printing and displaying of photos and video, as well as backing up media from the camera to Connect Station's built-in storage.

The Canon SX530 HS features a non-articulated, non-touchscreen, 3.0-inch LCD monitor with a 461K-dot resolution.

Behind the Canon SX530's updated, longer lens, the sensor and processor remain the same as the previous model. The SX530 uses the same 16-megapixel 1/2.3-inch type CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ image processor as its predecessor. Video recording gets a slight tweak now by using MP4 format files over MOV, for easier playback on smartphones and tablets. Full HD 1080p video is still captured at 30 frames per second, and the SX530's Intelligent IS lets the camera choose optimal stabilization settings for video recording, as well as for stills.

The Canon PowerShot SX530 HS comes in black only and is set to be available in February for a list price of US$429.99.

 

Similar to the SX530 HS but smaller lighter larger sensor cheaper But ...
loading
No cameras match your search criteria(s)
   

$364.00 (29% more)

20.3 MP (21% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

Similar size

5x zoom

SX530 HS vs SX540 HS

$326.95 (21% more)

16.1 MP

Also lacks viewfinder

8% larger

6x zoom (17% more)

SX530 HS vs B600

$499.00 (48% more)

20.2 MP (21% more)

Has viewfinder

20% larger

6x zoom (17% more)

SX530 HS vs B700

$279.00 (7% more)

2 MP (20% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

47% smaller

42x zoom (19% less)

SX530 HS vs SX420 IS

$321.95 (20% more)

16.1 MP

Also lacks viewfinder

6% smaller

4x zoom (25% less)

SX530 HS vs B500

$259.95

20.1 MP (20% more)

Has viewfinder

40% larger

63x zoom (21% more)

SX530 HS vs H400

$449.00 (42% more)

16.1 MP

Has viewfinder

33% larger

65x zoom (23% more)

SX530 HS vs SX60

$198.00 (31% less)

20.1 MP (20% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

Similar size

35x zoom (43% less)

SX530 HS vs H300

$639.00 (59% more)

20.3 MP (21% more)

Has viewfinder

33% larger

65x zoom (23% more)

SX530 HS vs SX70

$476.95 (46% more)

16 MP

Has viewfinder

172% smaller

35x zoom (43% less)

SX530 HS vs A1000

$347.99 (26% more)

18.1 MP (12% more)

Has viewfinder

38% larger

6x zoom (17% more)

SX530 HS vs FZ80

$448.00 (42% more)

20.4 MP (22% more)

Has viewfinder

28% larger

5x zoom

SX530 HS vs HX400V

$347.99 (26% more)

20.3 MP (21% more)

Has viewfinder

190% smaller

3x zoom (67% less)

SX530 HS vs ZS70

$397.99 (35% more)

20.3 MP (21% more)

Has viewfinder

181% smaller

3x zoom (67% less)

SX530 HS vs ZS80

$396.95 (35% more)

20.2 MP (21% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

201% smaller

35x zoom (43% less)

SX530 HS vs A900

$599.98 (57% more)

20.4 MP (22% more)

Has viewfinder

28% larger

5x zoom

SX530 HS vs HX300

$399.00 (35% more)

20.3 MP (21% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

221% smaller

4x zoom (25% less)

SX530 HS vs SX730 HS

$422.62 (39% more)

20.3 MP (21% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

221% smaller

4x zoom (25% less)

SX530 HS vs SX740 HS

$279.00 (7% more)

20.3 MP (21% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

261% smaller

4x zoom (25% less)

SX530 HS vs SX720 HS

$481.32 (46% more)

12.1 MP (32% less)

Has viewfinder

36% larger

24x zoom (108% less)

SX530 HS vs FZ300

Suggestion for improvement? Head over here.


Editor's Picks