• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 336.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-HX7V advantages over Canon 510 HS

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~2.20 vs 3.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 170 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.28 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon 510 HS advantages over Sony DSC-HX7V

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    336 mm vs 250 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 28 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Sony DSC-HX7V

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Buy the Canon 510 HS

Review Excerpt

  • Full HD video; Built-in GPS; iSweep Panorama; High-resolution LCD; Fast AF and burst mode.

  • Heavy noise suppression obscures fine detail; Superior Auto wasn't; Movie Record button hard to reach.

  • Read our Sony DSC-HX7V Express Review

  • Slim and stylish camera body; Extremely versatile 12x lens; Gorgeous 3.2-inch screen; Good image quality overall.

  • Not everyone will like the touchscreen; Glossy camera body attracts smudges; Below-average battery life.

  • Read our Canon 510 HS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-HX5V

Sony DSC-HX7V
Sony DSC-HX5V
  • $294
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Sony DSC-HX7V vs Sony DSC-HX5V

Canon 510 HS
Sony DSC-HX5V
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Canon 510 HS vs Sony DSC-HX5V

Compared to Nikon S8000

Sony DSC-HX7V
Nikon S8000
  • $294
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-HX7V vs Nikon S8000

Canon 510 HS
Nikon S8000
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 510 HS vs Nikon S8000

Compared to Sony DSC-H55

Sony DSC-HX7V
Sony DSC-H55
  • $294
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $204
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony DSC-HX7V vs Sony DSC-H55

Canon 510 HS
Sony DSC-H55
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $204
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 510 HS vs Sony DSC-H55

Compared to Canon SD4500 IS

Sony DSC-HX7V
Canon SD4500 IS
  • $294
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-HX7V vs Canon SD4500 IS

Canon 510 HS
Canon SD4500 IS
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More dots on screen
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Canon 510 HS vs Canon SD4500 IS

Compared to Nikon S8100

Sony DSC-HX7V
Nikon S8100
  • $294
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-HX7V vs Nikon S8100

Canon 510 HS
Nikon S8100
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 510 HS vs Nikon S8100

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