Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820
69 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


72 Imaging
39 Features
28 Overall
34
Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820 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
- Revealed July 2014
- Superseded the Canon SX510 HS
- Renewed by Canon SX530 HS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
- 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
- Announced January 2013
- Replaced the Nikon L810
- Updated by Nikon L830

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820 Overview
Below, we are contrasting the Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the L820 (16MP) is very similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX520 HS was brought out 19 months after the L820 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Nikon L820 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SX520 HS matches up against the L820 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS & Nikon Coolpix L820. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX520 HS Gallery & Nikon L820 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Nikon L820
SX520 HS | L820 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2014 | ![]() | January 2013 | Newer by 19 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing |
Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Canon SX520 HS
L820 | SX520 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon L820
SX520 HS | L820 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lack of Touch display |
Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX520 HS has external measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Nikon L820 has specifications of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") having a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs).
Check the Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SX520 HS and the L820.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX520 HS and L820 is 69 and 72 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions just by reviewing technical specs. The picture underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX520 HS and L820.
As you can tell, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical MP so you can expect similar quality of files however you should take the launch date of the products into consideration. The newer SX520 HS is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Nikon Coolpix L820 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Nikon Coolpix L820 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2014-07-29 | 2013-01-29 |
Body design | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4+ | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.16 x 4.62mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-1008mm (42.0x) | 23-675mm (29.3x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.4-6.0 | f/3.0-5.8 |
Macro focus range | 0cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 461k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames per sec | 8.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.50 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | - |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance 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 |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 441 grams (0.97 lbs) | 470 grams (1.04 lbs) |
Dimensions | 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") | 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") |
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 | 320 photos |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | AA |
Battery model | NB-6LH | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | - |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $219 | $192 |