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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony HX30V

Portability
69
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Canon SX520 HS
(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
  • Introduced July 2014
  • Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX530 HS
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony HX20V
  • Replacement is Sony HX50V
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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony HX30V Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Canon SX520 HS versus Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is very close and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was announced 2 years after the HX30V which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a short overview of how the SX520 HS scores versus the HX30V for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Sony HX30V

 SX520 HS HX30V 
RevealedJuly 2014February 2012Newer by 30 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Canon SX520 HS

 HX30V SX520 HS 
Display resolution922k461kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Sony HX30V

 SX520 HS HX30V 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX520 HS offers physical dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX520 HS versus Sony HX30V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the SX520 HS versus the HX30V.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and HX30V is 69 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and HX30V.

As you can see, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony HX30V to provide you with more detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more modern SX520 HS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Portrait photography camera
44
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
45
manual focus
decent MP (18MP)
supports face detection focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography features
Sony HX30V Street photography features
47
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography features
Sony HX30V Sports photography features
45
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (210 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography highlights
Sony HX30V Travel photography highlights
55
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery (210 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
69
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography details
Sony HX30V Landscape photography details
46
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery (210 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
50
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging features
Sony HX30V Vlogging features
29
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone support
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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Sony HX30V
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-07-29 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4+ BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 441 grams (0.97 pounds) 254 grams (0.56 pounds)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 images 320 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $219 $420