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Canon SX270 HS vs Canon SX520 HS

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Canon SX270 HS vs Canon SX520 HS Key Specs

Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Released March 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon SX260 HS
  • Renewed by Canon SX280 HS
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
  • Launched July 2014
  • Old Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Updated by Canon SX530 HS
Photography Glossary

Canon SX270 HS vs Canon SX520 HS Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Canon SX270 HS versus Canon SX520 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are offered by Canon. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the SX270 HS (12MP) and SX520 HS (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX270 HS was revealed 16 months prior to the SX520 HS making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summation of how the SX270 HS scores versus the SX520 HS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX270 HS over the Canon SX520 HS

 SX270 HS SX520 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Canon SX270 HS

 SX520 HS SX270 HS 
LaunchedJuly 2014March 2013More modern by 16 months

Common features in the Canon SX270 HS and Canon SX520 HS

 SX270 HS SX520 HS 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Display resolution461k461kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon SX270 HS vs Canon SX520 HS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX270 HS enjoys external dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Canon SX520 HS has specifications of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs).

See the Canon SX270 HS versus Canon SX520 HS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX270 HS compared to the SX520 HS.

Canon SX270 HS vs Canon SX520 HS size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX270 HS and SX520 HS is 91 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX270 HS vs Canon SX520 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Canon SX520 HS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by seeing technical specs. The pic underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX270 HS and SX520 HS.

As you have seen, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Canon SX520 HS to provide more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SX270 HS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX270 HS vs Canon SX520 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX270 HS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX270 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX520 HS as a Portrait photography camera
34
you can focus manually
provides face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
44
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Street photography details
Canon SX520 HS Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (233g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
46
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Sports photography factors
Canon SX520 HS Sports photography factors
36
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
slow fps (4.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (210 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
45
great zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (210 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Travel photography highlights
Canon SX520 HS Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than others (233g)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery power (210 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
55
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery power (210 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Landscape photography information
Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography information
41
you can focus manually
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery power (210 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
45
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery power (210 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Vlogging information
Canon SX520 HS Vlogging information
34
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (233g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
29
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
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Canon SX270 HS vs Canon SX520 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX270 HS and Canon SX520 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX270 HSCanon PowerShot SX520 HS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX270 HS Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-03-21 2014-07-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 6 Digic 4+
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.4-6.0
Macro focus range 5cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, slow synchro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 233g (0.51 lb) 441g (0.97 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6")
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 210 photos 210 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $284 $219