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Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
69
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus VG-160 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
  • Introduced July 2014
  • Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX530 HS
Olympus VG-160
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Canon SX520 HS versus Olympus VG-160, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is very well matched and both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was introduced 2 years later than the VG-160 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SX520 HS matches up versus the VG-160 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Olympus VG-160

 SX520 HS VG-160 
AnnouncedJuly 2014January 2012More recent by 32 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Canon SX520 HS

 VG-160 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Olympus VG-160

 SX520 HS VG-160 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX520 HS provides physical dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) and the Olympus VG-160 has measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX520 HS versus Olympus VG-160 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX520 HS and the VG-160.

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX520 HS and VG-160 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to see the gap between sensor measurements just by reading through specifications. The graphic here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and VG-160.

To sum up, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX520 HS to give more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more recent SX520 HS will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography details
Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography details
44
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
34
good resolution (14MP)
supports face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography advice
Olympus VG-160 Street photography advice
47
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
56
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX520 HS
Sports photography with Olympus VG-160
45
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (210 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
27
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (165 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography highlights
Olympus VG-160 Travel photography highlights
55
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (1008mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery power (210 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
66
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery (165 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery power (210 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
37
decently wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
terrible battery (165 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging highlights
Olympus VG-160 Vlogging highlights
29
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
30
decently wide (26mm)
supports face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
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Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Olympus VG-160
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSOlympus VG-160
General Information
Brand Name Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Olympus VG-160
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-07-29 2012-01-10
Physical type 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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus range 0cm 7cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.50 m 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 441g (0.97 lb) 125g (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 shots 165 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $219 $90