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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E90

Portability
69
Imaging
39
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E90 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
  • Released July 2014
  • Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
  • Updated by Canon SX530 HS
Pentax E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Announced January 2010
Photography Glossary

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E90 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax E90, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and E90 (10MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was launched 4 years after the E90 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SX520 HS matches up vs the E90 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Pentax E90

 SX520 HS E90 
AnnouncedJuly 2014January 2010Newer by 55 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Canon SX520 HS

 E90 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax E90

 SX520 HS E90 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX520 HS offers external dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Pentax E90 has measurements of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax E90 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX520 HS and the E90.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and E90 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through a spec sheet. The pic underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and E90.

As you can see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Canon SX520 HS to show more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more recent SX520 HS provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography factors
Pentax E90 Portrait photography factors
43
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Street photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Street photography camera
46
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
46
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography features
Pentax E90 Sports photography features
44
long zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (210 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
16
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography factors
Pentax E90 Travel photography factors
55
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery (210 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
50
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
low MP (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography factors
Pentax E90 Landscape photography factors
45
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery (210 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
22
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax E90 as a Vlogging camera
29
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Pentax E90
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSPentax Optio E90
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Pentax Optio E90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-07-29 2010-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4+ Prime
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 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 32-95mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 0cm 6cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
External flash
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 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 gr (0.97 lb) 145 gr (0.32 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH 2 x AA
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
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $219 $100