Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon P520
80 Imaging
36 Features
41 Overall
38


66 Imaging
42 Features
51 Overall
45
Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon P520 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
- 349g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
- Released August 2013
- Succeeded the Canon SX500 IS
- Updated by Canon SX520 HS
(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
- Revealed January 2013
- Superseded the Nikon P510
- Later Model is Nikon P530

Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon P520 Overview
Here, we are comparing the Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon P520, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the SX510 HS (12MP) and P520 (18MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX510 HS was brought out 7 months later than the P520 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX510 HS being a Compact camera and the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SX510 HS scores versus the P520 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon P520 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX510 HS & Nikon Coolpix P520. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX510 HS Gallery & Nikon P520 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX510 HS over the Nikon P520
SX510 HS | P520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2013 | ![]() | January 2013 | Fresher by 7 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Canon SX510 HS
P520 | SX510 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Sharper display (+460k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Canon SX510 HS and Nikon P520
SX510 HS | P520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon P520 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX510 HS provides external dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 349 grams (0.77 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).
Take a look at the Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon P520 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SX510 HS versus the P520.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX510 HS and P520 is 80 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon P520 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX510 HS and P520.
Clearly, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Nikon P520 to resolve more detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The younger SX510 HS will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon P520 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon P520 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX510 HS | Nikon Coolpix P520 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX510 HS | Nikon Coolpix P520 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2013-08-22 | 2013-01-29 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.16 x 4.62mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 18 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4896 x 3672 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 1 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 24-1000mm (41.7x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/3.0-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 0cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen size | 3" | 3.2" |
Screen resolution | 461 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 8 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, on, slow synchro, off | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | 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 | 349 gr (0.77 pounds) | 550 gr (1.21 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 250 photographs | 200 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | EN-EL5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | - |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $249 | $380 |