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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S5200

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5200 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
26
Overall
33

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S5200 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
  • Launched July 2014
  • Older Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Updated by Canon SX530 HS
Nikon S5200
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-156mm (F) lens
  • 146g - 98 x 58 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S5200 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S5200, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the S5200 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was launched 19 months after the S5200 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SX520 HS grades versus the S5200 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Nikon S5200

 SX520 HS S5200 
AnnouncedJuly 2014January 2013Newer by 19 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen resolution461k460kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S5200 over the Canon SX520 HS

 S5200 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon S5200

 SX520 HS S5200 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S5200 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX520 HS enjoys outside dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Nikon S5200 has dimensions of 98mm x 58mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S5200 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the SX520 HS versus the S5200.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S5200 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX520 HS and S5200 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S5200 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S5200 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The picture below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and S5200.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of photos though you really should factor the age of the cameras into account. The younger SX520 HS provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S5200 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S5200 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S5200 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S5200 Portrait photography highlights
44
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features face detection focusing
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
30
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Street photography camera
Nikon S5200 as a Street photography camera
46
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
48
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography details
Nikon S5200 Sports photography details
45
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
27
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (160 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S5200 as a Travel photography camera
55
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1008mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
68
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
good max aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (160 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX520 HS
Landscape photography with Nikon S5200
45
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
41
relatively wide (26mm)
good max aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery pack (160 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S5200 as a Vlogging camera
29
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
32
relatively wide (26mm)
good max aperture (f)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic jack
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S5200 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Nikon S5200
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSNikon Coolpix S5200
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Nikon Coolpix S5200
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-07-29 2013-01-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias 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 files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 26-156mm (6.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.0 -
Macro focusing distance 0cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 pounds) 146 gr (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 98 x 58 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9")
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 shots 160 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $219 $130