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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X70

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Pentax X70 front
Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X70 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
  • Introduced July 2014
  • Previous Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Renewed by Canon SX530 HS
Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Introduced March 2009
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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X70 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X70, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and X70 (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was introduced 5 years after the X70 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SX520 HS grades versus the X70 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Pentax X70

 SX520 HS X70 
IntroducedJuly 2014March 2009More modern by 66 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Canon SX520 HS

 X70 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax X70

 SX520 HS X70 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X70 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX520 HS has exterior dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Pentax X70 has measurements of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") and a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X70 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SX520 HS compared to the X70.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X70 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX520 HS and X70 is 69 and 71 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X70 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X70 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at a spec sheet. The image underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX520 HS and X70.

Clearly, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Canon SX520 HS to give more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The younger SX520 HS will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X70 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography info
Pentax X70 Portrait photography info
44
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
28
manual focus
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Street photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Street photography camera
46
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography factors
Pentax X70 Sports photography factors
45
long zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (210 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
50
excellent zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography advice
Pentax X70 Travel photography advice
55
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1008mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery power (210 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.4)
52
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
long zoom (624mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography advice
Pentax X70 Landscape photography advice
45
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery power (210 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
35
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging features
Pentax X70 Vlogging features
29
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
missing external microphone support
24
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Pentax X70
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSPentax X70
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Pentax X70
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-07-29 2009-03-02
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 50
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 0cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.50 m 9.10 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 441 gr (0.97 pounds) 410 gr (0.90 pounds)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5")
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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $219 $200