Clicky

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX730 HS

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX730 HS front
Portability
88
Imaging
47
Features
59
Overall
51

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX730 HS Key Specs

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
  • Announced July 2014
  • Succeeded the Canon SX510 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX530 HS
Canon SX730 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20.3MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-960mm (F3.3-6.9) lens
  • 300g - 110 x 64 x 40mm
  • Announced April 2017
  • Older Model is Canon SX720 HS
  • Later Model is Canon SX740 HS
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX730 HS Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX730 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are sold by Canon. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and SX730 HS (20.3MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX520 HS was manufactured 3 years prior to the SX730 HS and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the SX520 HS grades vs the SX730 HS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Canon SX730 HS

 SX520 HS SX730 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX730 HS over the Canon SX520 HS

 SX730 HS SX520 HS 
AnnouncedApril 2017July 2014Fresher by 32 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k461kClearer screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Canon SX730 HS

 SX520 HS SX730 HS 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX730 HS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX520 HS has physical dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Canon SX730 HS has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.6") along with a weight of 300 grams (0.66 lbs).

Check the Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX730 HS in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SX520 HS vs the SX730 HS.

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX730 HS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and SX730 HS is 69 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX730 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX730 HS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing only by going over specifications. The photograph here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and SX730 HS.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon SX730 HS to deliver greater detail due to its extra 4.3MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures more aggressively. The older SX520 HS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX730 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX730 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX730 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography information
Canon SX730 HS Portrait photography information
44
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
48
manual focus
decent megapixels (20.3 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX730 HS as a Street photography camera
46
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
69
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (300 grams)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography advice
Canon SX730 HS Sports photography advice
45
amazing zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
48
excellent zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20.3 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.9 frames/s)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (250 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography highlights
Canon SX730 HS Travel photography highlights
55
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.4)
72
lighter than competitors in class (300g)
connects via bluetooth
decent megapixels (20.3 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (960mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (250 CIPA)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX520 HS
Landscape photography with Canon SX730 HS
45
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
50
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20.3 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery power (250 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX730 HS as a Vlogging camera
29
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no mic jack
74
rather wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (300 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
missing mic socket
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX730 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Canon SX730 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSCanon PowerShot SX730 HS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Canon PowerShot SX730 HS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2014-07-29 2017-04-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4+ DIGIC 6
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16 megapixel 20.3 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 24-960mm (40.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.3-6.9
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/3200s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 5.9 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 4.00 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, on, slow synchro, off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 35 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 441g (0.97 pounds) 300g (0.66 pounds)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 110 x 64 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.6")
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 210 shots 250 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, self-timer)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $219 $399