• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 336.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon 530 HS advantages over Pentax MX-1

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    336 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 51 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    164g vs 399g
    Lighter weight

Pentax MX-1 advantages over Canon 530 HS

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~2.20 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 290 vs 190 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.24 vs 0.35 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    12.0 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Good image quality for a compact camera in its class; Sharp, bright f/1.8-2.5 lens with 4x optical zoom; Cool retro-styled design with brass top and bottom plates; Tilting LCD; Exposure compensation dial; Speedy and accurate autofocus; Full HD video recording.

  • Image detail starts dropping off noticeably above ISO 800, and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200 and beyond; Sluggish cycle times and burst performance; Issues with purple fringing in some shooting scenarios; Heavier and larger than other cameras in its class.

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
Pentax MX-1
Canon SD4500 IS
  • $1289
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

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
Pentax MX-1
Canon 510 HS
  • $1289
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

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
Pentax MX-1
Canon 520 HS
  • $1289
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Canon 530 HS
Olympus XZ-2
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
Pentax MX-1
Olympus XZ-2
  • $1289
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Canon G15

Canon 530 HS
Canon G15
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax MX-1
Canon G15
  • $1289
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
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