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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX520 HS

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.4-6.0) lens
  • 441g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2014
  • Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
  • Updated by Canon SX530 HS
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX520 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are built by Canon. The resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the SX520 HS (16MP) is fairly similar and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was launched 11 months before the SX520 HS so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a short summary of how the SX170 IS scores against the SX520 HS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon SX520 HS

 SX170 IS SX520 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Canon SX170 IS

 SX520 HS SX170 IS 
IntroducedJuly 2014August 2013Fresher by 11 months
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX520 HS

 SX170 IS SX520 HS 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS enjoys external measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Canon SX520 HS has specifications of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs).

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Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the SX170 IS versus the SX520 HS.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX520 HS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and SX520 HS is 88 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX520 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing merely by going over specifications. The graphic below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX170 IS and SX520 HS.

Plainly, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels so you should expect similar quality of files though you will need to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The older SX170 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX520 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography highlights
Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography highlights
44
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
44
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features face detect focusing
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography information
Canon SX520 HS Street photography information
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (251 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
47
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX520 HS
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
45
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (210 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography features
Canon SX520 HS Travel photography features
68
lighter than competitors (251g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
55
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (1008mm)
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery (210 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX520 HS as a Landscape photography camera
49
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
46
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
bad battery (210 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX170 IS
Vlogging with Canon SX520 HS
31
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (251 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
29
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX520 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISCanon PowerShot SX520 HS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-08-22 2014-07-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Digic 4+
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.4-6.0
Macro focusing range 1cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, on, off, slow synchro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251g (0.55 lb) 441g (0.97 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 210 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $0 $219