Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ10
69 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


92 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ10 Key Specs
(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
- Announced July 2014
- Earlier Model is Canon SX510 HS
- Later Model is Canon SX530 HS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-280mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
- 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
- Announced July 2011

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ10 Overview
In this write-up, we are looking at the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax RZ10, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the RZ10 (14MP) is fairly well matched and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX520 HS was brought out 3 years after the RZ10 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SX520 HS scores versus the RZ10 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ10 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS & Pentax Optio RZ10. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX520 HS Gallery & Pentax RZ10 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Pentax RZ10
SX520 HS | RZ10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2014 | ![]() | July 2011 | More modern by 37 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax RZ10 over the Canon SX520 HS
RZ10 | SX520 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax RZ10
SX520 HS | RZ10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch display |
Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ10 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX520 HS offers outside measurements 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 Pentax RZ10 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).
See the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax RZ10 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SX520 HS against the RZ10.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and RZ10 is 69 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ10 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at specifications. The picture below should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX520 HS and RZ10.
Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SX520 HS to give you extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The younger SX520 HS should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ10 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ10 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Pentax Optio RZ10 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Pentax Optio RZ10 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2014-07-29 | 2011-07-19 |
Physical type | 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 area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 3216 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-1008mm (42.0x) | 28-280mm (10.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.4-6.0 | f/3.2-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 0cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | - | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.50 m | 2.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB 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) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 441 grams (0.97 lbs) | 178 grams (0.39 lbs) |
Dimensions | 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") | 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
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 pictures | 178 pictures |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $219 | $200 |