Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280
69 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


96 Imaging
34 Features
21 Overall
28
Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS and Casio Exilim EX-Z280. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX520 HS Gallery and Casio EX-Z280 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Casio EX-Z280
SX520 HS | EX-Z280 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2014 | ![]() | August 2009 | More recent by 60 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 115k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Casio EX-Z280 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Casio 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 |