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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S3500

Portability
69
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S3500 front
Portability
95
Imaging
45
Features
25
Overall
37

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S3500 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
  • Introduced July 2014
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX530 HS
Nikon S3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-182mm (F3.4-6.4) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 58 x 21mm
  • Launched February 2013
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S3500 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Canon SX520 HS versus Nikon S3500, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the S3500 (20MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was unveiled 18 months after the S3500 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief view of how the SX520 HS grades versus the S3500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Nikon S3500

 SX520 HS S3500 
LaunchedJuly 2014February 2013More modern by 18 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S3500 over the Canon SX520 HS

 S3500 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon S3500

 SX520 HS S3500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S3500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX520 HS features external measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Nikon S3500 has proportions of 97mm x 58mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX520 HS versus Nikon S3500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SX520 HS compared to the S3500.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S3500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX520 HS and S3500 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S3500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S3500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through specs. The image below may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX520 HS and S3500.

All in all, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Nikon S3500 to give you greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher SX520 HS is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S3500 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography features
Nikon S3500 Portrait photography features
44
manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports face detection focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
33
decent MP (20MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography highlights
Nikon S3500 Street photography highlights
47
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (129 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S3500 as a Sports photography camera
45
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (210 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
42
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography highlights
Nikon S3500 Travel photography highlights
55
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (1008mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (210 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
69
lighter than competition (129g)
decent MP (20MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX520 HS
Landscape photography with Nikon S3500
46
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
terrible battery pack (210 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
41
reasonably wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging info
Nikon S3500 Vlogging info
29
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
32
reasonably wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (129 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone port
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Nikon S3500
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSNikon Coolpix S3500
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Nikon Coolpix S3500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-07-29 2013-02-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5152 x 3864
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 26-182mm (7.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.4-6.4
Macro focusing range 0cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.50 m -
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 441 gr (0.97 lb) 129 gr (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 97 x 58 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $219 $85