Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120
69 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


99 Imaging
37 Features
20 Overall
30
Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS & Samsung PL120. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX520 HS Gallery & Samsung PL120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Samsung PL120
SX520 HS | PL120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2014 | ![]() | January 2011 | More recent by 44 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Samsung 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 |