Introduction

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To read our in-depth, hands-on review of the Canon ELPH 530 HS, click here.
To read our in-depth, hands-on review of the Sony HX9V, click here.

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Image Quality

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Both cameras take good-looking photos, though our lab tests give the edge to the Sony HX9V. The Sony looks a bit softer than the Canon at their respective full resolutions, but scaled down to the same 10 megapixels as the ELPH 530 HS, the HX9V looks richer and cleaner than its challenger.

Winner: Sony HX9V

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Design & User Experience

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The Canon ELPH 530 HS could have been a winner, but it’s saddled with one of the worst touchscreens we’ve ever seen. It’s laggy, unresponsive, and inaccurate. The Sony HX9V lays off the flash and is a much better camera as a result. It also has a longer zoom range (16x vs 12x). And as for extra features, the Sony’s built-in GPS will come in handy for outdoor shooters, while Canon’s barely functional in-camera WiFi won’t come in handy for many users at all.

Winner: Sony HX9V

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Conclusion

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The Sony HX9V is obviously a better camera. We just wanted to take the time to demonstrate that not all $350 travel zooms are created equal. Sony focused on good image quality and no-nonsense design, while Canon’s design is nothing but nonsense. Don’t be swayed by fancy extra features.

Winner: Sony HX9V

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