Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S30
69 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


90 Imaging
32 Features
18 Overall
26
Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S30 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed July 2014
- Previous Model is Canon SX510 HS
- Newer Model is Canon SX530 HS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
- Revealed February 2012

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S30 Overview
On this page, we will be comparing the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon S30, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and S30 (10MP) and the SX520 HS (1/2.3") and S30 (1/3") offer different sensor sizes.

The SX520 HS was brought out 2 years after the S30 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SX520 HS grades versus the S30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S30 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS & Nikon Coolpix S30. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX520 HS Gallery & Nikon S30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Nikon S30
SX520 HS | S30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2014 | ![]() | February 2012 | More modern by 31 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Canon SX520 HS
S30 | SX520 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon S30
SX520 HS | S30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S30 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry around your camera often, you should consider 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) while the Nikon S30 has specifications of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).
Examine the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon S30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view scale comparison of the SX520 HS compared to the S30.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and S30 is 69 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S30 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The image underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX520 HS and S30.
As you can see, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SX520 HS featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Canon SX520 HS will offer you greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern SX520 HS provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S30 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Nikon Coolpix S30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Nikon Coolpix S30 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2014-07-29 | 2012-02-01 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4+ | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 4.8 x 3.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 17.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-1008mm (42.0x) | 29-87mm (3.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.4-6.0 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 0cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 7.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT-LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames per second | 1.5 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.50 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE 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 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 441 grams (0.97 lb) | 214 grams (0.47 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") | 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") |
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 pictures | 240 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | AA |
Battery model | NB-6LH | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch price | $219 | $119 |