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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon B500

Portability
69
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon B500 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
  • Released July 2014
  • Previous Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Later Model is Canon SX530 HS
Nikon B500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-900mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 541g - 114 x 78 x 95mm
  • Revealed February 2016
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon B500 Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon B500, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the B500 (16MP) is fairly comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was released 19 months earlier than the B500 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Nikon B500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the SX520 HS scores against the B500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Nikon B500

 SX520 HS B500 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Canon SX520 HS

 B500 SX520 HS 
RevealedFebruary 2016July 2014Fresher by 19 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k461kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon B500

 SX520 HS B500 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon B500 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX520 HS features outside dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Nikon B500 has dimensions of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon B500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SX520 HS compared to the B500.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon B500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX520 HS and B500 is 69 and 68 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon B500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon B500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing only by going through a spec sheet. The visual here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and B500.

Clearly, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of photos though you should always factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The older SX520 HS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon B500 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon B500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon B500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon B500 as a Portrait photography camera
44
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
37
good resolution (16MP)
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography highlights
Nikon B500 Street photography highlights
47
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
52
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (541 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography info
Nikon B500 Sports photography info
45
amazing zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (210 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
51
incredible zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery life (600 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX520 HS
Travel photography with Nikon B500
55
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery (210 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
59
good battery life (600 CIPA)
supports bluetooth
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (23mm)
great zoom (900mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (541 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography advice
Nikon B500 Landscape photography advice
46
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery (210 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
45
fairly wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good battery life (600 CIPA)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon B500 as a Vlogging camera
29
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of external mic port
27
fairly wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (541g)
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon B500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Nikon B500
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSNikon Coolpix B500
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Nikon Coolpix B500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2014-07-29 2016-02-23
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 23-900mm (39.1x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focus range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 1 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 7.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.50 m 6.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
External flash
AEB
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) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 441 grams (0.97 pounds) 541 grams (1.19 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 photos 600 photos
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery model NB-6LH 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $219 $300