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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax S1

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax S1 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
  • Announced July 2014
  • Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX530 HS
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax S1 Overview

Here is a extended assessment of the Canon SX520 HS versus Pentax S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was manufactured 3 years later than the S1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SX520 HS grades vs the S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Pentax S1

 SX520 HS S1 
IntroducedJuly 2014March 2011Fresher by 42 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Canon SX520 HS

 S1 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax S1

 SX520 HS S1 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX520 HS features external dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX520 HS versus Pentax S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX520 HS compared to the S1.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX520 HS and S1 is 69 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and S1.

As you can see, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Canon SX520 HS to provide greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The younger SX520 HS will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX520 HS
Portrait photography with Pentax S1
44
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
35
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography info
Pentax S1 Street photography info
46
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX520 HS
Sports photography with Pentax S1
45
amazing zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (210 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography info
Pentax S1 Travel photography info
55
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
64
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography advice
Pentax S1 Landscape photography advice
45
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
42
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging features
Pentax S1 Vlogging features
29
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
28
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Pentax S1
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSPentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Pentax Optio S1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-07-29 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
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
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 lbs) 157 gr (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 260 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/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $219 $174