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Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon P520

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
55
Overall
43
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon P520 Key Specs

Canon SX50 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 595g - 123 x 87 x 106mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon SX40 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX60 HS
Nikon P520
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Older Model is Nikon P510
  • Successor is Nikon P530
Photography Glossary

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon P520 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon P520, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the SX50 HS (12MP) and P520 (18MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX50 HS was introduced around the same time to the P520 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the SX50 HS grades against the P520 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Nikon P520

 SX50 HS P520 

Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Canon SX50 HS

 P520 SX50 HS 
Display size3.2"2.8"Larger display (+0.4")
Display resolution921k461kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX50 HS and Nikon P520

 SX50 HS P520 
IntroducedJanuary 2013January 2013Same age
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon P520 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX50 HS provides outer measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") along with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Nikon P520 has measurements of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") accompanied by a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon P520 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the SX50 HS compared to the P520.

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon P520 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX50 HS and P520 is 65 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon P520 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon P520 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing merely by viewing specifications. The visual underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SX50 HS and P520.

Plainly, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Nikon P520 to provide you with extra detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics way more aggressively.

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon P520 sensor size comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon P520 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon P520 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX50 HS
Portrait photography with Nikon P520
48
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
41
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX50 HS
Street photography with Nikon P520
57
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (595g)
51
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competition (550 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX50 HS
Sports photography with Nikon P520
39
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
46
excellent zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Travel photography details
Nikon P520 Travel photography details
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1200mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (595 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
57
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (1000mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (200 shots)
heavier than competition (550g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX50 HS
Landscape photography with Nikon P520
45
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse mode
46
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery power (200 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX50 HS
Vlogging with Nikon P520
58
really wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
does not have mic support
heavier than competitors in class (595 grams)
57
reasonably wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competition (550g)
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Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon P520 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX50 HS and Nikon P520
 Canon PowerShot SX50 HSNikon Coolpix P520
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Nikon Coolpix P520
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-15 2013-01-29
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 24-1000mm (41.7x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focus range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.8" 3.2"
Screen resolution 461k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 202k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 -
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595g (1.31 pounds) 550g (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 87 x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 179 not tested
Other
Battery life 315 photographs 200 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-10L EN-EL5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $429 $380