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Canon SX430 vs SX510

The Canon PowerShot SX430 IS and the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2017 and August 2013. Both the SX430 and the SX510 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The SX430 has a resolution of 19.9 megapixels, whereas the SX510 provides 15.9 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Canon SX430
versus
Canon SX510
Canon SX430   Canon SX510
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
24-1080mm f/3.5-6.6 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8
19.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
720/25p Video 1080/24p Video
ISO 100-1,600 ISO 80-3,200
No viewfinder, LCD framing No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 230k dots 3.0" LCD – 461k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
0.5 shutter flaps per second 3.8 shutter flaps per second
195 shots per battery charge250 shots per battery charge
104 x 69 x 85 mm, 323 g 104 x 70 x 80 mm, 349 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX430 IS and the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS? 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.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon SX430 and the Canon SX510. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon SX430 vs Canon SX510
Compare SX430 versus SX510 top
Comparison SX430 or SX510 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon SX510 is somewhat larger (1 percent) than the Canon SX430. Moreover, the SX510 is markedly heavier (8 percent) than the SX430. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX430 nor the SX510 are weather-sealed.

Concerning battery life, the SX430 gets 195 shots out of its Canon NB-11LH battery, while the SX510 can take 250 images on a single charge of its Canon NB-6LH power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX430 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 323 g 195 n Jan 2017 299ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SX510 104 mm 70 mm 80 mm 349 g 250 n Aug 2013 249ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX740 110 mm 64 mm 40 mm 299 g 265 n Jul 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SX70 127 mm 91 mm 117 mm 608 g 325 n Sep 2018 549 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon SX730 110 mm 64 mm 40 mm 300 g 250 n Apr 2017 399ebay.com
6.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II 106 mm 61 mm 42 mm 319 g 265 n Feb 2016 699ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX420 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 325 g 195 n Jan 2016 299ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX620 97 mm 57 mm 28 mm 182 g 295 n May 2016 279ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX720 110 mm 64 mm 36 mm 270 g 250 n Feb 2016 379ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX410 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 325 g 185 n Feb 2015 279ebay.com
11.
 
Canon SX710 113 mm 66 mm 35 mm 269 g 230 n Jan 2015 349ebay.com
12.
 
Canon SX520 120 mm 82 mm 92 mm 441 g 210 n Jul 2014 399ebay.com
13.
 
Canon SX400 104 mm 69 mm 80 mm 313 g 190 n Jul 2014 249ebay.com
14.
 
Canon SX500 104 mm 70 mm 80 mm 341 g 195 n Aug 2012 329ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic ZS70 112 mm 67 mm 41 mm 322 g 380 n Apr 2017 449ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. 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 SX510 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 17 percent) than the SX430, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to 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.

Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

In terms of chip-set technology, the SX430 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4+) than the SX510 (DIGIC 4), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Canon SX430 and Canon SX510 sensor measures

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the SX430 offers a higher resolution of 19.9 megapixels, compared with 15.9 MP of the SX510. This megapixels advantage translates into a 12 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the SX430 has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.19μm versus 1.33μm for the SX510). In this context, it should be noted, however, that the SX430 is much more recent (by 3 years and 4 months) than the SX510, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that compensate for the smaller pixel size. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon SX430 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the SX430 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.8 x 19.3 inches or 65.4 x 49.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.6 x 15.5 inches or 52.3 x 39.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.2 x 12.9 inches or 43.6 x 32.7 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon SX510 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 SX430 IS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS are ISO 80 to ISO 3200 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the SX430 is build around a CCD sensor, while the SX510 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.

SX430 versus SX510 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon SX430 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/25p20.511.990049
2.
 
Canon SX510 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/24p20.011.358645
3.
 
Canon SX740 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1105051
4.
 
Canon SX70 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1106351
5.
 
Canon SX730 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.511.992450
6.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.811.926062
7.
 
Canon SX420 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/25p20.311.780648
8.
 
Canon SX620 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/30p20.411.883849
9.
 
Canon SX720 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.311.881748
10.
 
Canon SX410 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.211.672047
11.
 
Canon SX710 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.211.671247
12.
 
Canon SX520 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.111.567246
13.
 
Canon SX400 1/2.3 15.9 4608 3456720/30p20.111.567246
14.
 
Canon SX500 1/2.3 15.9 4608 3456720/30p19.811.149443
15.
 
Panasonic ZS70 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p19.110.610636
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the SX510 provides a better video resolution than the SX430. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/24p, while the SX430 is limited to 720/25p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The SX430 and the SX510 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon SX430 and Canon SX510 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image 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 SX430none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon SX510none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/1600s 3.8/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon SX740none n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/3200s 10.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon SX702360 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon SX730none n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/3200s 5.9/s Y Y
6.
 
Canon G7 X Mark IInone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 8.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Canon SX420none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
8.
 
Canon SX620none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/2000s 2.5/s Y Y
9.
 
Canon SX720none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/3200s 5.9/s Y Y
10.
 
Canon SX410none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
11.
 
Canon SX710none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/3200s 6.0/s Y Y
12.
 
Canon SX520none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 1.6/s Y Y
13.
 
Canon SX400none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/1600s 0.8/s Y Y
14.
 
Canon SX500none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/1600s 0.8/s Y Y
15.
 
Panasonic ZS701166 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

Both the SX430 and the SX510 have zoom lenses built in. The SX430 has a 24-1080mm f/3.5-6.6 optic and the SX510 offers a 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the SX430 and SX510 provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the SX510 has less tele-photo reach at the long end. The SX510 offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the SX430 and the SX510 write their files to SDXC cards.

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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 SX430 IS and Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon SX430-mono / mono---2.0YY-
2.
 
Canon SX510-stereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
3.
 
Canon SX740-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Canon SX70-stereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Canon SX730-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
6.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
7.
 
Canon SX420-mono / mono---2.0YY-
8.
 
Canon SX620-mono / mono--micro2.0YY-
9.
 
Canon SX720-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
10.
 
Canon SX410-stereo / mono---2.0---
11.
 
Canon SX710-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
12.
 
Canon SX520-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Canon SX400-stereo / mono---2.0---
14.
 
Canon SX500-stereo / mono---2.0---
15.
 
Panasonic ZS70-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
padding

Both the SX430 and the SX510 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The SX510 was replaced by the Canon SX520, while the SX430 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the SX430 and SX510 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX430 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon SX510 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Canon SX430 better than the Canon SX510 or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.


Advantages of the Canon PowerShot SX430 IS:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (19.9 vs 15.9MP) with a 12% higher linear resolution.
  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4+ vs DIGIC 4).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/1600s) to freeze action.
  • More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More modern: Reflects 3 years and 4 months of technical progress since the SX510 launch.


Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS:

  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/24p vs 720/25p).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (461k vs 230k dots).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3.8 vs 0.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/3.4 vs f/3.5).
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (250 versus 195) out of a single battery charge.
  • More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (17 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in August 2013).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the SX510 comes out slightly ahead of the SX430 (7 : 6 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. 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.

SX430 06:07 SX510

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX430 and the Canon SX510 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the SX430 or the SX510. 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 why hands-on reviews by experts are important. 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX430........3.5/53.5/5 Jan 2017 299ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SX510..+ +....4.5/54/5 Aug 2013 249ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX740..+3.5/5..4/54/5 Jul 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SX70..+ +3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Sep 2018 549 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon SX730..+....4/54/5 Apr 2017 399ebay.com
6.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II4.5/5+ +..81/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 699ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX420..........3/5 Jan 2016 299ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX620..........4/5 May 2016 279ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX720..+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2016 379ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX410..o........ Feb 2015 279ebay.com
11.
 
Canon SX710..+....4/53.5/5 Jan 2015 349ebay.com
12.
 
Canon SX520..+....3.5/53.5/5 Jul 2014 399ebay.com
13.
 
Canon SX400..+........ Jul 2014 249ebay.com
14.
 
Canon SX500..+ +....4/54/5 Aug 2012 329ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic ZS70..+ +....4/54/5 Apr 2017 449ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Canon SX430 vs Canon SX510

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon SX430 Canon SX510
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-1080mm f/3.5-6.6 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8
    Launch Date January 2017 August 2013
    Launch Price USD 299 USD 249
    Sensor Specs Canon SX430 Canon SX510
    Sensor Technology CCD CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 28.0735 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 19.9 Megapixels 15.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5152 x 3864 pixels 4608 x 3456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.19 μm 1.33 μm
    Pixel Density 70.91 MP/cm2 56.73 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 720/25p Video 1080/24p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1,600 ISO 80 - 3,200 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 4+ DIGIC 4
    Screen Specs Canon SX430 Canon SX510
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder no viewfinder
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 461k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon SX430 Canon SX510
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 0.5 shutter flaps/s 3.8 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Canon SX430 Canon SX510
    External Flash no Hotshoe no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Body Specs Canon SX430 Canon SX510
    Battery Type Canon NB-11LH Canon NB-6LH
    Battery Life (CIPA)195 shots per charge250 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 104 x 69 x 85 mm
    (4.1 x 2.7 x 3.3 in)
    104 x 70 x 80 mm
    (4.1 x 2.8 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 323 g (11.4 oz) 349 g (12.3 oz)
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