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Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX520 HS

Portability
64
Imaging
37
Features
42
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Key Specs

Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 601g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Revealed September 2010
  • Succeeded the Canon SX20 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX40 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
  • Introduced July 2014
  • Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
  • Later Model is Canon SX530 HS
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Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Overview

Following is a in-depth review of the Canon SX30 IS versus Canon SX520 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are created by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SX30 IS (14MP) and the SX520 HS (16MP) is very close and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX30 IS was released 4 years before the SX520 HS which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX30 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX30 IS scores versus the SX520 HS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Canon SX520 HS

 SX30 IS SX520 HS 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Canon SX30 IS

 SX520 HS SX30 IS 
IntroducedJuly 2014September 2010More modern by 47 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Canon SX520 HS

 SX30 IS SX520 HS 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX30 IS offers external measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Canon SX520 HS has proportions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs).

See the Canon SX30 IS versus Canon SX520 HS in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the SX30 IS against the SX520 HS.

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX520 HS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX30 IS and SX520 HS is 64 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX520 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to see the gap in sensor sizes only by researching specs. The picture here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX30 IS and SX520 HS.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Canon SX520 HS to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos more aggressively. The more aged SX30 IS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX520 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX30 IS
Portrait photography with Canon SX520 HS
42
focusing manually
decent MP (14 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
44
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Street photography details
Canon SX520 HS Street photography details
49
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than competition (601 grams)
46
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Sports photography details
Canon SX520 HS Sports photography details
43
long zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
45
great zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (210 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Travel photography details
Canon SX520 HS Travel photography details
58
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (840mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (601 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
55
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great zoom (1008mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (210 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX30 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SX520 HS
41
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
45
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery life (210 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX30 IS
Vlogging with Canon SX520 HS
50
reasonably wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
more heavy than competition (601g)
29
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
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Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Canon SX520 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISCanon PowerShot SX520 HS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-09-14 2014-07-29
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-840mm (35.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Max aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.4-6.0
Macro focus range 0cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.80 m 5.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, on, off, slow synchro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
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 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 601 grams (1.32 lb) 441 grams (0.97 lb)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-7L 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/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $400 $219