Canon SX530 HS vs Nikon D5100
69 Imaging
40 Features
48 Overall
43


66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66
Canon SX530 HS vs Nikon D5100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
- 442g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
- Announced January 2015
- Older Model is Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
- Released April 2011
- Previous Model is Nikon D5000
- Replacement is Nikon D5200

Canon SX530 HS vs Nikon D5100 Overview
In this write-up, we are comparing the Canon SX530 HS versus Nikon D5100, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX530 HS (16MP) and the D5100 (16MP) is very similar but the SX530 HS (1/2.3") and D5100 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

The SX530 HS was launched 3 years after the D5100 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX530 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon D5100 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SX530 HS scores vs the D5100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX530 HS vs Nikon D5100 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX530 HS and Nikon D5100. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX530 HS Gallery and Nikon D5100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX530 HS over the Nikon D5100
SX530 HS | D5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2015 | ![]() | April 2011 | Newer by 46 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Canon SX530 HS
D5100 | SX530 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer display (+460k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Canon SX530 HS and Nikon D5100
SX530 HS | D5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Canon SX530 HS vs Nikon D5100 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX530 HS enjoys outside measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Nikon D5100 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).
Examine the Canon SX530 HS versus Nikon D5100 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the SX530 HS and the D5100.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX530 HS and D5100 is 69 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX530 HS vs Nikon D5100 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing technical specs. The pic underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX530 HS and D5100.
As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor dimensions. The SX530 HS uses the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF tougher. The more modern SX530 HS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX530 HS vs Nikon D5100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX530 HS vs Nikon D5100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX530 HS | Nikon D5100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX530 HS | Nikon D5100 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Announced | 2015-01-06 | 2011-04-26 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | DIGIC 4+ | Expeed 2 |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.6 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 370.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Max boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 1 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Nikon F |
Lens zoom range | 24-1200mm (50.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/3.4-6.5 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 0cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 309 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 461k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.52x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.6 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.50 m | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/200 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 442g (0.97 pounds) | 560g (1.23 pounds) |
Dimensions | 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 13.6 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1183 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 210 photographs | 660 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | EN-EL14 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $379 | $0 |