Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3
69 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
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91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3 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
- Announced July 2014
- Succeeded the Canon SX510 HS
- Successor is Canon SX530 HS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
- Launched August 2011
- Superseded the Sony NEX-3
- Newer Model is Sony NEX-F3

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview
Let's look more closely at the Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the SX520 HS (1/2.3") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizes.

The SX520 HS was manufactured 2 years later than the NEX-C3 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SX520 HS scores vs the NEX-C3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS and Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SX520 HS Gallery and Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Sony NEX-C3
SX520 HS | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2014 | ![]() | August 2011 | Fresher by 36 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Canon SX520 HS
NEX-C3 | SX520 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 461k | Sharper screen (+459k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Sony NEX-C3
SX520 HS | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX520 HS has got external dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-C3 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SX520 HS versus the NEX-C3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX520 HS and NEX-C3 is 69 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The photograph below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and NEX-C3.
All in all, the two cameras have got the exact same megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The SX520 HS features the smaller sensor which should make getting shallower DOF tougher. The newer SX520 HS provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2014-07-29 | 2011-08-22 |
Physical type | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4+ | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 24-1008mm (42.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.4-6.0 | - |
Macro focus distance | 0cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 461k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.50 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
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 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 441 grams (0.97 lbs) | 225 grams (0.50 lbs) |
Dimensions | 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 73 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1083 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 210 pictures | 400 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-6LH | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $219 | $343 |