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Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Casio Exilim EX-Z280 front
Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280 Key Specs

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
  • Launched July 2014
  • Older Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Updated by Canon SX530 HS
Casio EX-Z280
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 97 x 53 x 20mm
  • Launched August 2009
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Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Canon SX520 HS versus Casio EX-Z280, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Casio. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and EX-Z280 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was released 4 years later than the EX-Z280 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief view of how the SX520 HS matches up versus the EX-Z280 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Casio EX-Z280

 SX520 HS EX-Z280 
LaunchedJuly 2014August 2009More recent by 60 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k115kClearer display (+346k dot)

Reasons to pick Casio EX-Z280 over the Canon SX520 HS

 EX-Z280 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Casio EX-Z280

 SX520 HS EX-Z280 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX520 HS provides external 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) and the Casio EX-Z280 has proportions of 97mm x 53mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX520 HS versus Casio EX-Z280 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SX520 HS vs the EX-Z280.

Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and EX-Z280 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to see the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing technical specs. The graphic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and EX-Z280.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Canon SX520 HS to produce extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The newer SX520 HS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography features
Casio EX-Z280 Portrait photography features
44
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
27
manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX520 HS
Street photography with Casio EX-Z280
46
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
55
lighter than competition (133 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography details
Casio EX-Z280 Sports photography details
45
long zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
max fps low (2.0 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
17
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography factors
Casio EX-Z280 Travel photography factors
55
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1008mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
62
lighter than competition (133 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Casio EX-Z280 as a Landscape photography camera
45
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery pack (210 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
32
manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging advice
Casio EX-Z280 Vlogging advice
29
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
28
relatively wide (26mm)
lighter than competition (133g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
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Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Casio EX-Z280
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSCasio Exilim EX-Z280
General Information
Brand Name Canon Casio
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Casio Exilim EX-Z280
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-07-29 2009-08-31
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
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 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/2.6-5.9
Macro focusing distance 0cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 461k dots 115k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 4.20 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 441 gr (0.97 lbs) 133 gr (0.29 lbs)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 97 x 53 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8")
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 210 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH NP-80
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Triple)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $219 $180