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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90 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
  • Revealed July 2014
  • Previous Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX530 HS
Pentax X90
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Pentax X90

 SX520 HS X90 
ReleasedJuly 2014July 2010More recent by 50 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography info
Pentax X90 Portrait photography info
44
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
offers face detection focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
29
focusing manually
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX520 HS
Street photography with Pentax X90
46
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography highlights
Pentax X90 Sports photography highlights
45
great zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (210 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
42
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Travel photography camera
55
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (1008mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery (210 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
51
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX520 HS
Landscape photography with Pentax X90
45
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery (210 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
35
focusing manually
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging info
Pentax X90 Vlogging info
29
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone support
23
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
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Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Pentax X90
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSPentax 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