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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
Portability
72
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820 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
  • Revealed July 2014
  • Superseded the Canon SX510 HS
  • Renewed by Canon SX530 HS
Nikon L820
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Nikon L820

 SX520 HS L820 
AnnouncedJuly 2014January 2013Newer by 19 months
Manual focus Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Canon SX520 HS

 L820 SX520 HS 
Display resolution921k461kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon L820

 SX520 HS L820 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L820 as a Portrait photography camera
44
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
includes face detect focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
30
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Street photography camera
Nikon L820 as a Street photography camera
46
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
38
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than average in class (470g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography advice
Nikon L820 Sports photography advice
45
great zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (210 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
36
incredible zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
resolution is good (16MP)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography info
Nikon L820 Travel photography info
55
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery (210 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
56
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (23mm)
great zoom (675mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (470 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon L820 Landscape photography highlights
45
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery (210 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
36
relatively wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging details
Nikon L820 Vlogging details
29
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
24
relatively wide (23mm)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone port
more heavy than average in class (470 grams)
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L820 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Nikon L820
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSNikon 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