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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Sony Alpha A3000 front
Portability
69
Imaging
62
Features
54
Overall
58

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000 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
  • Launched July 2014
  • Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX530 HS
Sony A3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Later Model is Sony a3500
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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Canon SX520 HS and Sony A3000, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the A3000 (20MP) is very similar but the SX520 HS (1/2.3") and A3000 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The SX520 HS was released 12 months later than the A3000 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SX520 HS grades vs the A3000 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Sony A3000

 SX520 HS A3000 
LaunchedJuly 2014August 2013Fresher by 12 months
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Canon SX520 HS

 A3000 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Sony A3000

 SX520 HS A3000 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX520 HS features outer measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) and the Sony A3000 has specifications of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX520 HS and Sony A3000 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the SX520 HS vs the A3000.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX520 HS and A3000 is 69 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing specifications. The photograph below should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX520 HS and A3000.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SX520 HS because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A3000 will offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The fresher SX520 HS is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography highlights
Sony A3000 Portrait photography highlights
44
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
77
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Street photography camera
Sony A3000 as a Street photography camera
46
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography features
Sony A3000 Sports photography features
45
long zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (210 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
59
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (470 shots)
low fps (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography information
Sony A3000 Travel photography information
55
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (1008mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery (210 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
60
better than average battery life (470 CIPA)
good MP (20MP)
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (411 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography info
Sony A3000 Landscape photography info
45
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery (210 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
70
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (470 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging features
Sony A3000 Vlogging features
29
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of mic socket
26
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (411g)
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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Sony A3000
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSSony Alpha A3000
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Sony Alpha A3000
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-07-29 2013-08-27
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4+ BIONZ image
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.4-6.0 -
Macro focus range 0cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.50 m 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, H.264, MP4
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 441g (0.97 lb) 411g (0.91 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.8
DXO Low light score not tested 1068
Other
Battery life 210 photographs 470 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $219 $398