Clicky

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P520

Portability
64
Imaging
32
Features
53
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
Portability
66
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P520 Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Introduced March 2009
Nikon P520
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon P510
  • Newer Model is Nikon P530
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P520 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Canon SX1 IS versus Nikon P520, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and P520 (18MP) but they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

The SX1 IS was announced 4 years prior to the P520 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SX1 IS grades vs the P520 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Nikon P520

 SX1 IS P520 

Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Canon SX1 IS

 P520 SX1 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2013March 2009Newer by 46 months
Screen dimension3.2"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.4")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Nikon P520

 SX1 IS P520 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P520 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX1 IS comes with outside measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") and a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) whilst the Nikon P520 has sizing of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX1 IS versus Nikon P520 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the SX1 IS versus the P520.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P520 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX1 IS and P520 is 64 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P520 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P520 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing technical specs. The picture below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX1 IS and P520.

As you have seen, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Nikon P520 to offer extra detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P520 sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P520 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P520 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon P520 Portrait photography highlights
45
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
40
manual focus
decent MP (18MP)
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Street photography info
Nikon P520 Street photography info
56
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (615 grams)
51
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than competitors (550g)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Sports photography information
Nikon P520 Sports photography information
32
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
45
excellent zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Travel photography highlights
Nikon P520 Travel photography highlights
52
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
really wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (615 grams)
MP count low (10MP)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
56
decent MP (18MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1000mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (200 shots)
heavier than competitors (550g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Landscape photography info
Nikon P520 Landscape photography info
44
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no Timelapse recording
45
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18MP)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging advice
Nikon P520 Vlogging advice
57
really wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
no microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (615 grams)
57
reasonably wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have mic support
heavier than competitors (550g)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon P520 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Nikon P520
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISNikon Coolpix P520
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Nikon Coolpix P520
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-03-27 2013-01-29
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-1000mm (41.7x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focus distance 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.8 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m -
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 615 grams (1.36 pounds) 550 grams (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 200 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) -
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $600 $380