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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3 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
  • Announced July 2014
  • Succeeded the Canon SX510 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX530 HS
Sony NEX-C3
(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  • Superseded the Sony NEX-3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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Sony NEX-C3

 SX520 HS NEX-C3 
LaunchedJuly 2014August 2011Fresher by 36 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Canon SX520 HS

 NEX-C3 SX520 HS 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k461kSharper screen (+459k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Sony NEX-C3

 SX520 HS NEX-C3 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX520 HS
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-C3
44
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes face detect focus
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
73
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX520 HS
Street photography with Sony NEX-C3
46
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
79
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than average in class (225g)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography advice
45
amazing zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (2.0 fps)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (210 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
53
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery pack (400 shots)
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography highlights
55
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery power (210 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
71
good battery pack (400 per charge)
lighter than average in class (225g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography features
45
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery power (210 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (400 CIPA)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX520 HS
Vlogging with Sony NEX-C3
29
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of mic socket
27
lighter than average in class (225 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Sony NEX-C3
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSSony 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