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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L21

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L21 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
  • Released July 2014
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX530 HS
Nikon L21
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
  • Revealed February 2010
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L21 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L21, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and L21 (8MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was introduced 4 years after the L21 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SX520 HS grades against the L21 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Nikon L21

 SX520 HS L21 
RevealedJuly 2014February 2010Newer by 55 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon SX520 HS

 L21 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon L21

 SX520 HS L21 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX520 HS enjoys 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 Nikon L21 has proportions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L21 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SX520 HS compared to the L21.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SX520 HS and L21 is 69 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions simply by checking out specs. The picture here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX520 HS and L21.

All in all, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Canon SX520 HS to produce extra detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more modern SX520 HS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography information
Nikon L21 Portrait photography information
44
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
18
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (8MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography features
Nikon L21 Street photography features
46
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
46
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography factors
Nikon L21 Sports photography factors
45
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (210 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
15
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX520 HS
Travel photography with Nikon L21
55
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (1008mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (210 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
50
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX520 HS
Landscape photography with Nikon L21
45
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery power (210 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
21
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging info
Nikon L21 Vlogging info
29
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic jack
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSNikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Nikon Coolpix L21
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-07-29 2010-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4+ Expeed C2
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 8 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing range 0cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 441g (0.97 lb) 169g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1")
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 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $219 $180