Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90
69 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


69 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
34
Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90 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
- Revealed July 2014
- Previous Model is Canon SX510 HS
- Refreshed by Canon SX530 HS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
- Released July 2010

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90 Overview
Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Canon SX520 HS versus Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and X90 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX520 HS was launched 4 years later than the X90 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the SX520 HS matches up versus the X90 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS & Pentax X90. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX520 HS Gallery & Pentax X90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Pentax X90
SX520 HS | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2014 | ![]() | July 2010 | More recent by 50 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Canon SX520 HS
X90 | SX520 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Pentax X90
SX520 HS | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX520 HS provides exterior dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Pentax X90 has sizing of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SX520 HS versus Pentax X90 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX520 HS compared to the X90.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX520 HS and X90 is 69 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic here might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and X90.
Clearly, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SX520 HS to offer greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The younger SX520 HS provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Pentax X90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Pentax X90 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2014-07-29 | 2010-07-06 |
Body design | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4+ | Prime |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
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) | 26-676mm (26.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.4-6.0 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focus range | 0cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 461k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.50 m | 9.10 m |
Flash options | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure 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) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 441g (0.97 lb) | 428g (0.94 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") | 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") |
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 pictures | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6LH | D-L106 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $219 | $350 |