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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520 Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(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
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
  • Released January 2013
  • Old Model is Nikon P510
  • Later Model is Nikon P530
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520 Overview

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").

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The 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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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 
ReleasedJanuary 2013July 2010More modern by 31 months
Screen dimension3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon P520

 SX20 IS P520 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon P520 as a Portrait photography camera
37
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500 seconds)
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
41
focusing manually
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon P520 as a Street photography camera
49
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than competition (600 grams)
51
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (550g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography highlights
Nikon P520 Sports photography highlights
34
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
46
great zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon P520 as a Travel photography camera
53
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
relatively wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (600g)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (1000mm)
no Timelapse function
bad battery (200 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (550 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon P520 as a Landscape photography camera
35
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
46
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery (200 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
Vlogging with Nikon P520
50
relatively wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
more heavy than competition (600g)
57
reasonably wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (550g)
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P520 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Nikon P520
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISNikon 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