Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000
69 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


69 Imaging
62 Features
54 Overall
58
Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000 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
- Launched July 2014
- Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
- Newer Model is Canon SX530 HS
(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

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.

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.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS & Sony Alpha A3000. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX520 HS Gallery & Sony A3000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Sony A3000
SX520 HS | A3000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2014 | ![]() | August 2013 | Fresher by 12 months |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A3000 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Sony 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 |