• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX530 HS advantages over Canon SL2

  • Less expensive
    $259* vs $549
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Canon SL2 advantages over Canon SX530 HS

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.72 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    69 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • 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
    5.0 fps vs 1.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL2

Review Excerpt

  • Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.

  • Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-820UZ

Canon SX530 HS
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Bulb shutter
Canon SL2
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Slow-motion videos

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Canon SX530 HS
Canon SX520 HS
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Canon SL2
Canon SX520 HS
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compared to Canon SX540 HS

Canon SX530 HS
Canon SX540 HS
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Shoots 60p video
Canon SL2
Canon SX540 HS
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D3500

Canon SX530 HS
Nikon D3500
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon SL2
Nikon D3500
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon SL3

Canon SX530 HS
Canon SL3
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon SL2
Canon SL3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Longer stills battery life
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