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Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX520 HS

Portability
81
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Canon PowerShot SX400 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Key Specs

Canon SX400 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 313g - 104 x 69 x 80mm
  • Revealed July 2014
Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.4-6.0) lens
  • 441g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Revealed July 2014
  • Older Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Later Model is Canon SX530 HS
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Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Canon SX400 IS and Canon SX520 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are offered by Canon. The image resolution of the SX400 IS (16MP) and the SX520 HS (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX400 IS was announced within a month of the SX520 HS and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SX400 IS matches up versus the SX520 HS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX400 IS over the Canon SX520 HS

 SX400 IS SX520 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Canon SX400 IS

 SX520 HS SX400 IS 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX400 IS and Canon SX520 HS

 SX400 IS SX520 HS 
RevealedJuly 2014July 2014Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera often, you should take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX400 IS has got external dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Canon SX520 HS has specifications of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX400 IS and Canon SX520 HS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX400 IS against the SX520 HS.

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX520 HS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX400 IS and SX520 HS is 81 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX520 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by researching specs. The visual underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX400 IS and SX520 HS.

All in all, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same MP and you should expect comparable quality of images but you really should take the release date of the cameras into account.

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX520 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Portrait photography features
Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography features
35
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
44
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Street photography info
Canon SX520 HS Street photography info
52
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
46
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Sports photography highlights
Canon SX520 HS Sports photography highlights
42
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (190 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
45
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery power (210 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX400 IS
Travel photography with Canon SX520 HS
60
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (190 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
55
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery power (210 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Landscape photography features
Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography features
40
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery life (190 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
45
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery power (210 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Vlogging details
Canon SX520 HS Vlogging details
28
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
29
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic jack
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Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX400 IS and Canon SX520 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX400 ISCanon PowerShot SX520 HS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX400 IS Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-07-29 2014-07-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.4-6.0
Macro focusing range 0cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 5.50 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, on, off, slow synchro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313 gr (0.69 lbs) 441 gr (0.97 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 69 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") 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 190 shots 210 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11LH NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $229 $219