Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax WG-1
69 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax WG-1 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
- Released July 2014
- Previous Model is Canon SX510 HS
- Replacement is Canon SX530 HS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Introduced February 2011

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax WG-1 Overview
Here is a thorough overview of the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax WG-1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX520 HS was manufactured 3 years later than the WG-1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting into a full comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SX520 HS grades against the WG-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax WG-1 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS and Pentax Optio WG-1. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX520 HS Gallery and Pentax WG-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Pentax WG-1
SX520 HS | WG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2014 | ![]() | February 2011 | Fresher by 43 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Canon SX520 HS
WG-1 | SX520 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax WG-1
SX520 HS | WG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch display |
Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX520 HS provides exterior 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) while the Pentax WG-1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax WG-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SX520 HS and the WG-1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX520 HS and WG-1 is 69 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing technical specs. The photograph underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and WG-1.
As you can tell, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Canon SX520 HS to deliver more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images more aggressively. The newer SX520 HS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Pentax Optio WG-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Pentax Optio WG-1 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Released | 2014-07-29 | 2011-02-07 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | 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 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 3216 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-1008mm (42.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.4-6.0 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus range | 0cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 461k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | - | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1500 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.50 m | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB 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) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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 lb) | 157 grams (0.35 lb) |
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 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 shots | 260 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-6LH | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $219 | $350 |