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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S620

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S620 front
Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S620 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
  • Launched July 2014
  • Succeeded the Canon SX510 HS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX530 HS
Nikon S620
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 120g - 90 x 53 x 23mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S620 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon S620, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Nikon. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and S620 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was revealed 5 years after the S620 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SX520 HS scores vs the S620 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Nikon S620

 SX520 HS S620 
LaunchedJuly 2014February 2009More modern by 67 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S620 over the Canon SX520 HS

 S620 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon S620

 SX520 HS S620 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S620 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX520 HS features outside dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Nikon S620 has sizing of 90mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.5" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon S620 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SX520 HS compared to the S620.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S620 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and S620 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S620 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S620 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing specifications. The pic below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and S620.

To sum up, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Canon SX520 HS to produce extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The younger SX520 HS is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S620 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S620 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S620 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX520 HS
Portrait photography with Nikon S620
44
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
20
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography advice
Nikon S620 Street photography advice
46
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (120g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography information
Nikon S620 Sports photography information
45
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX520 HS
Travel photography with Nikon S620
55
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (1008mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (210 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
62
lighter than others in class (120 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography factors
Nikon S620 Landscape photography factors
45
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
32
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging advice
Nikon S620 Vlogging advice
29
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
31
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (120g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of mic jack
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon S620 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Nikon S620
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSNikon Coolpix S620
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Nikon Coolpix S620
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-07-29 2009-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/2.7-5.8
Macro focusing distance 0cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 grams (0.97 lb) 120 grams (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 90 x 53 x 23mm (3.5" x 2.1" 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 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (3 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $219 $37