Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37
66 Imaging
42 Features
51 Overall
45
Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
- 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
- Introduced July 2010
- Older Model is Canon SX10 IS
- Updated by Canon SX30 IS
(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
- Released January 2013
- Old Model is Nikon P510
- Later Model is Nikon P530
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Lets take a more detailed look at the Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and P520 (18MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe SX20 IS was revealed 3 years prior to the P520 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before diving through a full comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SX20 IS matches up vs the P520 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and Nikon Coolpix P520. The full galleries are provided at Canon SX20 IS Gallery and Nikon P520 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Nikon P520
| SX20 IS | P520 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Canon SX20 IS
| P520 | SX20 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2013 | July 2010 | More modern by 31 months | |
| Screen dimension | 3.2" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.7") | |
| Screen resolution | 921k | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon P520
| SX20 IS | P520 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More accurate focus | |||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated screen | |
| Selfie screen | Both good for selfies | |||
| Touch screen | Neither provides Touch screen |
Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX20 IS provides physical dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Nikon P520 has proportions of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") having a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).
See the Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the SX20 IS compared to the P520.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and P520 is 65 and 66 respectively.
Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizes purely by looking through technical specs. The image here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and P520.
As you have seen, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Nikon P520 to provide you with extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS will be behind in sensor innovation.
Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Nikon Coolpix P520 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Canon | Nikon |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Nikon Coolpix P520 |
| Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Introduced | 2010-07-06 | 2013-01-29 |
| Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Digic 4 | - |
| Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.16 x 4.62mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.5mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 18 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
| Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4896 x 3672 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 24-1000mm (41.7x) |
| Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | f/3.0-5.9 |
| Macro focusing distance | 0cm | 1cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated |
| Screen sizing | 2.5 inch | 3.2 inch |
| Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Screen tech | - | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 6.80 m | - |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | - |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | 1/500s | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1920 x 1080 |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | H.264 | - |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Optional |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | none |
| GPS | None | BuiltIn |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 600 grams (1.32 pounds) | 550 grams (1.21 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") | 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") |
| 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 | - | 200 pictures |
| Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | 4 x AA | EN-EL5 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | - |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch price | $500 | $380 |