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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
69
Imaging
39
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ18 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
  • Superseded the Canon SX510 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX530 HS
Pentax RZ18
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Released September 2011
Photography Glossary

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is very close and they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was brought out 2 years after the RZ18 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SX520 HS grades vs the RZ18 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Pentax RZ18

 SX520 HS RZ18 
ReleasedJuly 2014September 2011More modern by 36 months
Display resolution461k460kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Canon SX520 HS

 RZ18 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax RZ18

 SX520 HS RZ18 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX520 HS has outer 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) while the Pentax RZ18 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ18 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SX520 HS and the RZ18.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX520 HS and RZ18 is 69 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes only by viewing technical specs. The picture here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX520 HS and RZ18.

As you can tell, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact MP so you can expect comparable quality of files however you should really factor the age of the cameras into account. The fresher SX520 HS should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography information
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography information
43
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
36
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography info
Pentax RZ18 Street photography info
46
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography info
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography info
44
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (210 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
46
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography advice
55
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
no Time Lapse recording
low battery power (210 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.4)
71
lighter than competition in class (178g)
weather proofing
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography info
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography info
45
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery power (210 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
49
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging advice
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging advice
29
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no external mic jack
30
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic support
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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Pentax RZ18
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSPentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Pentax Optio RZ18
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-07-29 2011-09-12
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 0cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.50 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
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 Overall 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 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $219 $210