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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax W90

Portability
69
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax W90 Key Specs

Canon SX520 HS
(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  • Superseded the Canon SX510 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX530 HS
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Announced February 2010
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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax W90 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Canon SX520 HS versus Pentax W90, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by companies Canon and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and W90 (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was released 4 years after the W90 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SX520 HS scores against the W90 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Pentax W90

 SX520 HS W90 
AnnouncedJuly 2014February 2010More modern by 54 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Canon SX520 HS

 W90 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax W90

 SX520 HS W90 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX520 HS has outside 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 W90 has dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

See the Canon SX520 HS versus Pentax W90 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX520 HS versus the W90.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and W90 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes simply by checking out a spec sheet. The picture underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX520 HS and W90.

Clearly, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Canon SX520 HS to produce extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The fresher SX520 HS will have an edge in sensor tech.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography details
Pentax W90 Portrait photography details
44
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
has manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography factors
Pentax W90 Street photography factors
47
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
environment proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography information
Pentax W90 Sports photography information
45
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (210 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
24
environment proof
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
55
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (210 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
64
environment proof
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX520 HS
Landscape photography with Pentax W90
46
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery pack (210 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
37
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
environment proof
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging advice
Pentax W90 Vlogging advice
29
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic jack
25
really wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Pentax W90
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSPentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Pentax Optio W90
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2014-07-29 2010-02-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4+ Prime
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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type 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
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 441g (0.97 lbs) 164g (0.36 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" 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 -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $219 $120