Canon SX510 vs T3

The Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and the Canon EOS Rebel T3 (labelled Canon 1100D in some countries) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2013 and February 2011. The SX510 is a fixed lens compact, while the T3 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a 1/2.3-inch (SX510) and an APS-C (T3) sensor. The SX510 has a resolution of 15.9 megapixels, whereas the T3 provides 12.2 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Canon SX510		Canon T3
Fixed lens compact camera		Digital single lens reflex
24-720mm f/3.4-5.8		Canon EF mount lenses
15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor		12.2 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/24p Video		720/30p Video
ISO 80-3,200		ISO 100-6,400
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 461k dots		2.7" LCD – 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3.8 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
250 shots per battery charge		700 shots per battery charge
104 x 70 x 80 mm, 349 g		130 x 100 x 78 mm, 495 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and the Canon EOS Rebel T3? 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

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon SX510 and the Canon T3 is provided in the side-by-side display below. 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 width, height and depth 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 T3 is considerably larger (79 percent) than the Canon SX510. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX510 nor the T3 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the SX510 has a lens built in, whereas the T3 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 T3 and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the SX510 gets 250 shots out of its Canon NB-6LH battery, while the T3 can take 700 images on a single charge of its Canon LP-E10 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon SX510	104 mm	70 mm	80 mm	349 g	250	n	Aug 2013	EUR 329	ebay.com
2.		Canon T3	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	495 g	700	n	Feb 2011	EUR 399	ebay.com
3.		Canon G1 X	117 mm	81 mm	65 mm	534 g	250	n	Jan 2012	EUR 749	ebay.com
4.		Canon G15	107 mm	76 mm	40 mm	352 g	350	n	Sep 2012	EUR 579	ebay.com
5.		Canon M	109 mm	66 mm	32 mm	298 g	230	n	Jul 2012	EUR 599	ebay.com
6.		Canon SX400	104 mm	69 mm	80 mm	313 g	190	n	Jul 2014	EUR 179	ebay.com
7.		Canon SX420	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	325 g	195	n	Jan 2016	EUR 299	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX500	104 mm	70 mm	80 mm	341 g	195	n	Aug 2012	EUR 319	ebay.com
9.		Canon SX520	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	441 g	210	n	Jul 2014	EUR 299	ebay.com
10.		Canon SX600	104 mm	61 mm	26 mm	188 g	290	n	Jan 2014	EUR 249	ebay.com
11.		Canon SX700	113 mm	66 mm	35 mm	269 g	250	n	Feb 2014	EUR 349	ebay.com
12.		Canon T5	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	480 g	500	n	Feb 2014	EUR 399	ebay.com
13.		Canon T6	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	485 g	500	n	Mar 2016	EUR 449	ebay.com
14.		Canon T100	129 mm	102 mm	77 mm	436 g	500	n	Feb 2018	EUR 399	amazon.com
15.		Canon XS	126 mm	98 mm	65 mm	502 g	500	n	Jun 2008	EUR 399	ebay.com
16.		Leica X2	124 mm	69 mm	52 mm	345 g	450	n	May 2012	EUR 1 749	ebay.com
17.		Sony H200	123 mm	83 mm	87 mm	530 g	240	n	Jan 2013	EUR 249	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

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 lower price than the T3, 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. 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 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. 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 associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon SX510 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Canon T3 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the T3 is 1054 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 SX510 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the T3 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon SX510 offers a higher resolution of 15.9 megapixels, compared with 12.2 MP of the Canon T3. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.33μm versus 5.15μm for the T3). However, it should be noted that the SX510 is much more recent (by 2 years and 6 months) than the T3, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the SX510 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon SX510 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the SX510 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon T3 are 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.3 x 36.2 cm for good quality, 17.1 x 11.4 inches or 43.4 x 28.9 cm for very good quality, and 14.2 x 9.5 inches or 36.2 x 24.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon PowerShot SX510 HS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS Rebel T3 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. 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 is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon SX510	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/24p	20.0	11.3	586	45
2.		Canon T3	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	720/30p	21.9	11.0	755	62
3.		Canon G1 X	1.5-inch	14.2	4352	3264	1080/24p	21.7	10.8	644	60
4.		Canon G15	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/24p	19.9	11.5	165	46
5.		Canon M	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.2	827	65
6.		Canon SX400	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	720/30p	20.1	11.5	672	46
7.		Canon SX420	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/25p	20.3	11.7	806	48
8.		Canon SX500	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	720/30p	19.8	11.1	494	43
9.		Canon SX520	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.1	11.5	672	46
10.		Canon SX600	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.0	11.4	620	45
11.		Canon SX700	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	20.1	11.4	629	45
12.		Canon T5	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.3	724	63
13.		Canon T6	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.0	11.7	781	66
14.		Canon T100	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.4	695	63
15.		Canon XS	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.0	10.9	719	62
16.		Leica X2	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	none	23.2	12.4	1275	74
17.		Sony H200	1/2.3	15.2	5184	2930	720/30p	19.9	11.2	529	44
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the SX510 provides a higher video resolution than the T3. It can shoot video footage at 1080/24p, while the T3 is limited to 720/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the T3 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the SX510 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon SX510 and Canon T3 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 SX510	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/1600s	3.8/s	Y	Y
2.		Canon T3	optical	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
3.		Canon G1 X	optical	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	n	1/4000s	1.9/s	Y	Y
4.		Canon G15	optical	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.1/s	Y	Y
5.		Canon M	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.3/s	n	n
6.		Canon SX400	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/1600s	0.8/s	Y	Y
7.		Canon SX420	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5/s	Y	Y
8.		Canon SX500	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/1600s	0.8/s	Y	Y
9.		Canon SX520	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	1.6/s	Y	Y
10.		Canon SX600	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	3.9/s	Y	Y
11.		Canon SX700	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	8.5/s	Y	Y
12.		Canon T5	optical	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
13.		Canon T6	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
14.		Canon T100	optical	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
15.		Canon XS	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
16.		Leica X2	optional	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.0/s	Y	n
17.		Sony H200	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/1500s	0.8/s	Y	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the SX510 and the T3 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 SX510 HS and Canon EOS Rebel T3 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 SX510	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
2.		Canon T3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon G1 X	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Canon G15	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Canon M	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon SX400	-	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon SX420	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	Y	-
8.		Canon SX500	-	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon SX520	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Canon SX600	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
11.		Canon SX700	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
12.		Canon T5	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Canon T6	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Canon T100	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
15.		Canon XS	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Leica X2	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Sony H200	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the SX510 offers wifi support, while the T3 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both the SX510 and the T3 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The T3 was replaced by the Canon T5, while the SX510 was followed by the Canon SX520. Further information on the features and operation of the SX510 and T3 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX510 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon T3 Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Canon SX510 or the Canon T3 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (15.9 vs 12.2MP) with a 12% higher linear resolution.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/24p vs 720/30p).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.7") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (461k vs 230k dots).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3.8 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Ready to shoot: Comes with a built-in lens, while the T3 requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (104x70mm vs 130x100mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the T3).
• 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.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 6 months of technical progress since the T3 launch.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS Rebel T3:

• 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.
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/1600s) to freeze action.
• More flexible: Makes it possible to change lenses and thus to use specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (700 versus 250) 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 2011).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the SX510 emerges as the winner of the contest (13 : 11 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro 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 SX510 and the Canon T3 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 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 SX510 or the T3. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

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 SX510	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2013	EUR 329	ebay.com
2.		Canon T3	..	80/100	..	69/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	EUR 399	ebay.com
3.		Canon G1 X	5/5	+	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	EUR 749	ebay.com
4.		Canon G15	4/5	+	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	EUR 579	ebay.com
5.		Canon M	3/5	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2012	EUR 599	ebay.com
6.		Canon SX400	..	+	..	..	..	..	Jul 2014	EUR 179	ebay.com
7.		Canon SX420	..	..	..	..	..	3/5	Jan 2016	EUR 299	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX500	..	+ +	..	..	4/5	4/5	Aug 2012	EUR 319	ebay.com
9.		Canon SX520	..	+	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jul 2014	EUR 299	ebay.com
10.		Canon SX600	..	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2014	EUR 249	ebay.com
11.		Canon SX700	..	+ +	..	..	4/5	4/5	Feb 2014	EUR 349	ebay.com
12.		Canon T5	3/5	+	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	EUR 399	ebay.com
13.		Canon T6	4/5	o	4/5	73/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2016	EUR 449	ebay.com
14.		Canon T100	..	o	3/5	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	EUR 399	amazon.com
15.		Canon XS	..	82/100	..	+ +	3.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2008	EUR 399	ebay.com
16.		Leica X2	3/5	..	..	..	3/5	4/5	May 2012	EUR 1 749	ebay.com
17.		Sony H200	..	..	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jan 2013	EUR 249	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, 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 comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

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