Clicky

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Portability
69 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
Portability
89 Imaging
39 Features
47 Overall
42

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS 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
  • Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX530 HS
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Launched February 2012
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Overview

Following is a thorough comparison of the Canon SX520 HS and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) is relatively close and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SX520 HS was released 2 years after the SZ-31MR iHS which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX520 HS matches up against the SZ-31MR iHS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images 
	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

		

		

			
 SX520 HS SZ-31MR iHS 
LaunchedJuly 2014February 2012More modern by 31 months
Manually focus  Dial accurate focusing
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Canon SX520 HS

		

		

			
 SZ-31MR iHS SX520 HS 
Screen resolution920k461kClearer screen (+459k dot)
Touch friendly screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

		

		

			
 SX520 HS SZ-31MR iHS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen  Lack of selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX520 HS has outer 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 Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX520 HS and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the SX520 HS against the SZ-31MR iHS.
Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS size comparison
Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and SZ-31MR iHS is 69 and 89 respectively.
Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Sometimes, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes purely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX520 HS and SZ-31MR iHS.
Clearly, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of photos though you will need to take the launch date  of the cameras into account. The younger SX520 HS is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.
	
			Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
			Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month	

	
	
	
	

	

		
Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography highlights
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography highlights
44
 has manual focus
 resolution is good (16MP)
 comes with face detection autofocus
 cannot use external flash
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW format
34
 resolution is good (16MP)
 offers face detect autofocus
 manual focus not available
 manual exposure not available
 no external flash support
 sensor  is tiny (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
Street Comparison
 Canon SX520 HS as a Street photography camera
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
46
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 screen does not articulate
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW format
64
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 features focus by touch
 lighter than competitors (226g)
 no articulating screen
 sensor  is tiny (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW files
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
Sports Comparison
Canon SX520 HS Sports photography info
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography info
45
 great zoom range (24-1008mm  42.0 x zoom)
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 resolution is good (16MP)
 comes with tracking autofocus
 painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 bad battery life (210 shots)
 doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
 amazing zoom range (25-600mm  24.0 x zoom)
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 resolution is good (16MP)
 offers tracking focus
 no shutter priority mode
 sensor  is tiny (1/2.3")
 terrible battery (200 shots)
 doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
Travel Comparison
Canon SX520 HS Travel photography highlights
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography highlights
55
 resolution is good (16 megapixels)
 built-in flash
 relatively wide (24mm)
 very long reach (1008mm)
 does not have Timelapse function
 bad battery life (210 CIPA)
 does not offer selfie friendly display
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
67
 lighter than competitors (226 grams)
 features focus by touch
 resolution is good (16 megapixels)
 has built in flash
 relatively wide (25mm)
 great zoom (600mm)
 no Time Lapse mode
 terrible battery (200 per charge)
 display isn't selfie friendly
 somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
Photography Glossary
Landscape Comparison
Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography details
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography details
45
 has manual focus
 relatively wide (24mm)
 screen size is good (3 inches)
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 resolution is good (16MP)
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW format
 bad battery life (210 shots)
 does not have Timelapse function
41
 relatively wide (25mm)
 pretty good screen size (3")
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 resolution is good (16 megapixels)
 manual focus not available
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
 manual exposure not available
 sensor  is tiny (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW files
 terrible battery (200 shots)
 no Time Lapse mode
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
Vlogging Comparison
Canon SX520 HS Vlogging information
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging information
29
 relatively wide (24mm)
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 comes with face detection autofocus
 video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
 does not offer selfie friendly display
 does not have external microphone support
35
 relatively wide (25mm)
 screen is touchscreen
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 offers face detect autofocus
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 lighter than competitors (226 grams)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
 display isn't selfie friendly
 no mic support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	

		

			
Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSOlympus SZ-31MR iHS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-07-29 2012-02-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4+ Dual TruePic V
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 4:3 and  16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
AF touch    
Continuous AF    
Single AF    
AF tracking    
AF selectice    
AF center weighted    
AF multi area    
Live view AF    
Face detect AF    
Contract detect AF    
Phase detect AF    
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus distance 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch display    
Display technology - Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash range 5.50 m 9.30 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash    
AE 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support    
Headphone support    
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
Environmental sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 441 grams (0.97 lbs) 226 grams (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 200 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording    
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $219 $0