Canon SX530 vs T2i

The Canon PowerShot SX530 HS and the Canon EOS Rebel T2i (labelled Canon 550D in some countries) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2015 and February 2010. The SX530 is a fixed lens compact, while the T2i is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a 1/2.3-inch (SX530) and an APS-C (T2i) sensor. The SX530 has a resolution of 15.9 megapixels, whereas the T2i provides 17.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon SX530		Canon T2i
Fixed lens compact camera		Digital single lens reflex
24-1200mm f/3.4-6.5		Canon EF mount lenses
15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor		17.9 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video		1080/30p Video
ISO 100-3,200		ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800)
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 461k dots		3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
1.6 shutter flaps per second		3.7 shutter flaps per second
210 shots per battery charge		440 shots per battery charge
120 x 82 x 92 mm, 442 g		129 x 98 x 62 mm, 530 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX530 HS and the Canon EOS Rebel T2i? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon SX530 and the Canon T2i. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon T2i is notably larger (28 percent) than the Canon SX530. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX530 nor the T2i are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the SX530 has a lens built in, whereas the T2i is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the T2i and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the SX530 gets 210 shots out of its Canon NB-6LH battery, while the T2i can take 440 images on a single charge of its Canon LP-E8 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon SX530	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	442 g	210	n	Jan 2015	US$ 429	ebay.com
2.		Canon T2i	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	530 g	440	n	Feb 2010	US$ 699	ebay.com
3.		Canon 1200D	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	480 g	500	n	Feb 2014	US$ 449	ebay.com
4.		Canon 1300D	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	485 g	500	n	Mar 2016	US$ 449	ebay.com
5.		Canon 4000D	129 mm	102 mm	77 mm	436 g	500	n	Feb 2018	US$ 399	amazon.com
6.		Canon G1 X	117 mm	81 mm	65 mm	534 g	250	n	Jan 2012	US$ 799	ebay.com
7.		Canon M10	108 mm	67 mm	35 mm	301 g	255	n	Oct 2015	US$ 499	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX60	128 mm	93 mm	114 mm	650 g	340	n	Sep 2014	US$ 549	ebay.com
9.		Canon SX520	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	441 g	210	n	Jul 2014	US$ 399	ebay.com
10.		Canon SX540	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	442 g	205	n	Jan 2016	US$ 399	ebay.com
11.		Canon T1i	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	520 g	400	n	Mar 2009	US$ 799	ebay.com
12.		Canon T3i	133 mm	100 mm	80 mm	570 g	440	n	Feb 2011	US$ 599	ebay.com
13.		Canon T4i	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	575 g	440	n	Jun 2012	US$ 849	ebay.com
14.		Canon T5i	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	580 g	440	n	Mar 2013	US$ 649	ebay.com
15.		Canon T6s	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	565 g	440	n	Feb 2015	US$ 649	ebay.com
16.		Fujifilm X100T	127 mm	74 mm	52 mm	440 g	330	n	Sep 2014	US$ 1 299	ebay.com
17.		Leica X Typ 113	133 mm	73 mm	78 mm	486 g	350	n	Sep 2014	US$ 2 299	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The SX530 was launched at a lower price than the T2i, despite having a lens built in. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon SX530 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Canon T2i an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the T2i is 1086 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 1.6. The sensor in the SX530 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the T2i offers a 3:2 aspect.

In terms of chip-set technology, the SX530 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4+) than the T2i (DIGIC 4), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

With 17.9MP, the T2i offers a higher resolution than the SX530 (15.9MP), but the T2i nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.31μm versus 1.33μm for the SX530) due to its larger sensor. However, the SX530 is a much more recent model (by 4 years and 10 months) than the T2i, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the SX530 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon T2i implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the T2i for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 17.3 inches or 65.8 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 13.8 inches or 52.7 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon SX530 are 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon PowerShot SX530 HS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS Rebel T2i are ISO 100 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-12800.

In terms of underlying technology, the SX530 is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the T2i uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon SX530	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.2	11.6	712	47
2.		Canon T2i	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.5	784	66
3.		Canon 1200D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.3	724	63
4.		Canon 1300D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.0	11.7	781	66
5.		Canon 4000D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.4	695	63
6.		Canon G1 X	1.5-inch	14.2	4352	3264	1080/24p	21.7	10.8	644	60
7.		Canon M10	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.2	11.4	753	65
8.		Canon SX60	1/2.3	14.2	4608	3072	1080/60p	19.2	10.8	127	39
9.		Canon SX520	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.1	11.5	672	46
10.		Canon SX540	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.3	11.7	806	48
11.		Canon T1i	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	1080/20p	21.7	11.5	663	63
12.		Canon T3i	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.5	793	65
13.		Canon T4i	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	722	62
14.		Canon T5i	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	681	61
15.		Canon T6s	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.6	12.0	915	70
16.		Fujifilm X100T	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	23.6	12.8	1483	78
17.		Leica X Typ 113	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	23.6	12.8	1491	78
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/30p).

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the T2i has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the SX530 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon SX530 and Canon T2i along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon SX530	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	1.6/s	Y	Y
2.		Canon T2i	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.7/s	Y	n
3.		Canon 1200D	optical	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
4.		Canon 1300D	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
5.		Canon 4000D	optical	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
6.		Canon G1 X	optical	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	n	1/4000s	1.9/s	Y	Y
7.		Canon M10	none	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	4.6/s	Y	n
8.		Canon SX60	922	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	n	1/2000s	6.4/s	Y	Y
9.		Canon SX520	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	1.6/s	Y	Y
10.		Canon SX540	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.9/s	Y	Y
11.		Canon T1i	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.4/s	Y	n
12.		Canon T3i	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.7/s	Y	n
13.		Canon T4i	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
14.		Canon T5i	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
15.		Canon T6s	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
16.		Fujifilm X100T	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0/s	Y	n
17.		Leica X Typ 113	optional	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.0/s	Y	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the SX530 and the T2i write their files to SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot SX530 HS and Canon EOS Rebel T2i and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon SX530	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
2.		Canon T2i	Y	stereo / -	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon 1200D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Canon 1300D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Canon 4000D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
6.		Canon G1 X	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon M10	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
8.		Canon SX60	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Canon SX520	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Canon SX540	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
11.		Canon T1i	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Canon T3i	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Canon T4i	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Canon T5i	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Canon T6s	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
16.		Fujifilm X100T	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
17.		Leica X Typ 113	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the SX530 offers wifi support, while the T2i does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both the SX530 and the T2i have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The T2i was replaced by the Canon T3i, while the SX530 was followed by the Canon SX540. Further information on the features and operation of the SX530 and T2i can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX530 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon T2i Manual.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon SX530 and the Canon T2i? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot SX530 HS:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4+ vs DIGIC 4).
• Ready to shoot: Comes with a built-in lens, while the T2i requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (120x82mm vs 129x98mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the T2i).
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Reflects 4 years and 10 months of technical progress since the T2i launch.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS Rebel T2i:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (17.9 vs 15.9MP), which boosts linear resolution by 8%.
• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 461k dots).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3.7 vs 1.6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More flexible: Makes it possible to change lenses and thus to use specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (440 versus 210) out of a single battery charge.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in February 2010).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the T2i is the clear winner of the contest (15 : 10 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX530 and the Canon T2i place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the SX530 or the T2i. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon SX530	..	+ +	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2015	US$ 429	ebay.com
2.		Canon T2i	..	+ +	..	77/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2010	US$ 699	ebay.com
3.		Canon 1200D	3/5	+	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	US$ 449	ebay.com
4.		Canon 1300D	4/5	o	4/5	73/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2016	US$ 449	ebay.com
5.		Canon 4000D	2.5/5	o	3/5	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	US$ 399	amazon.com
6.		Canon G1 X	5/5	+	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	US$ 799	ebay.com
7.		Canon M10	..	..	..	..	..	4/5	Oct 2015	US$ 499	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX60	3/5	+ +	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	US$ 549	ebay.com
9.		Canon SX520	..	+	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jul 2014	US$ 399	ebay.com
10.		Canon SX540	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2016	US$ 399	ebay.com
11.		Canon T1i	..	+ +	..	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	US$ 799	ebay.com
12.		Canon T3i	3/5	o	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	US$ 599	ebay.com
13.		Canon T4i	4/5	+ +	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	US$ 849	ebay.com
14.		Canon T5i	..	..	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2013	US$ 649	ebay.com
15.		Canon T6s	5/5	+	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	US$ 649	ebay.com
16.		Fujifilm X100T	5/5	+	..	81/100	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2014	US$ 1 299	ebay.com
17.		Leica X Typ 113	3.5/5	..	..	..	3.5/5	4/5	Sep 2014	US$ 2 299	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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