Clicky

Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Samsung PL120 front
Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30

Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 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
  • Older Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • New Model is Canon SX530 HS
Samsung PL120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Canon and Samsung. The resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the PL120 (14MP) is fairly similar and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The SX520 HS was brought out 3 years later than the PL120 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SX520 HS matches up against the PL120 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Samsung PL120

 SX520 HS PL120 
AnnouncedJuly 2014January 2011More recent by 44 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Canon SX520 HS

 PL120 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Samsung PL120

 SX520 HS PL120 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX520 HS comes with physical measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Samsung PL120 has specifications of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the SX520 HS against the PL120.

Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and PL120 is 69 and 99 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor measurements just by going over technical specs. The photograph below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX520 HS and PL120.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SX520 HS to offer greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos much more aggressively. The newer SX520 HS will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography info
Samsung PL120 Portrait photography info
44
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
has face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
28
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX520 HS
Street photography with Samsung PL120
46
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
49
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX520 HS
Sports photography with Samsung PL120
45
long zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
low fps (2.0 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (210 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
26
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography features
Samsung PL120 Travel photography features
55
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (1008mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (210 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
71
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
great maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography info
Samsung PL120 Landscape photography info
45
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery (210 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
33
great maximum aperture (f)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging information
Samsung PL120 Vlogging information
29
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic support
31
great maximum aperture (f)
has mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Samsung PL120
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSSamsung PL120
General Information
Brand Canon Samsung
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Samsung PL120
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Revealed 2014-07-29 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 -
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) ()
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.0 -
Macro focusing range 0cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 441 gr (0.97 lbs) -
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
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 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots One -
Cost at launch $219 $150