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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W530

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
21
Overall
30

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W530 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Announced July 2014
Sony W530
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 113g - 93 x 53 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W530 Overview

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony W530, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the W530 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The XG-1 was released 3 years after the W530 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W530 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the XG-1 scores against the W530 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony W530

 XG-1 W530 
RevealedJuly 2014January 2011Newer by 43 months
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W530 over the Pentax XG-1

 W530 XG-1 

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony W530

 XG-1 W530 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W530 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and size. The Pentax XG-1 has physical dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony W530 has specifications of 93mm x 53mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of 113 grams (0.25 lbs).

See the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony W530 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the XG-1 versus the W530.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W530 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XG-1 and W530 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W530 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W530 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by checking specs. The pic below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the XG-1 and W530.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Pentax XG-1 to resolve more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer XG-1 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W530 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W530 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W530 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography features
Sony W530 Portrait photography features
40
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
28
good MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography advice
Sony W530 Street photography advice
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than competition (567 grams)
48
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography information
Sony W530 Sports photography information
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (240 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
26
good MP (14MP)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography details
Sony W530 Travel photography details
52
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (1248mm)
no Timelapse recording
low battery pack (240 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (567 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography advice
Sony W530 Landscape photography advice
45
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
low battery pack (240 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
33
quite wide (26mm)
good MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging factors
Sony W530 Vlogging factors
25
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone support
more heavy than competition (567g)
26
quite wide (26mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W530 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony W530
 Pentax XG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax XG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Announced 2014-07-15 2011-01-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1248mm (52.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dots -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 9.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 567 grams (1.25 lb) 113 grams (0.25 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 93 x 53 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model LB-060 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $599 $269