Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E85
69 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


95 Imaging
35 Features
10 Overall
25
Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E85 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed July 2014
- Superseded the Canon SX510 HS
- New Model is Canon SX530 HS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 640 x 480 video
- 32-96mm (F2.9-5.2) lens
- 145g - 93 x 58 x 24mm
- Revealed September 2009

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E85 Overview
Here, we are analyzing the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax E85, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and E85 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SX520 HS was announced 4 years later than the E85 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX520 HS grades versus the E85 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E85 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS and Pentax Optio E85. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SX520 HS Gallery and Pentax E85 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Pentax E85
SX520 HS | E85 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2014 | ![]() | September 2009 | More recent by 60 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Canon SX520 HS
E85 | SX520 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax E85
SX520 HS | E85 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch friendly display |
Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX520 HS offers external measurements 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 Pentax E85 has specifications of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).
Check the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax E85 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SX520 HS versus the E85.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX520 HS and E85 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very hard to envision the difference between sensor measurements simply by going over specs. The visual here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX520 HS and E85.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Canon SX520 HS to offer greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent SX520 HS will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E85 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Pentax Optio E85 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Pentax Optio E85 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2014-07-29 | 2009-09-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | 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 area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 12 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 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-1008mm (42.0x) | 32-96mm (3.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.4-6.0 | f/2.9-5.2 |
Macro focus range | 0cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 2 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.50 m | 3.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance 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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 441g (0.97 lbs) | 145g (0.32 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") | 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") |
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 | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6LH | D-LI95 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $219 | $0 |