Canon SX520 HS vs Sony HX90V: Two Small-Sensor Superzoom Compacts Put to the Test

Choosing the right compact superzoom camera can be challenging - especially when you're weighing options like the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS and the Sony Cyber-shot HX90V. Both cameras promise extensive zoom ranges and portability, appealing to travel photographers, casual shooters, and enthusiasts seeking an all-in-one solution. But which one truly delivers better real-world performance, features, and value?

After thorough testing and analysis, we’re bringing you a comprehensive comparison that dissects their design, image quality, autofocus systems, handling, and suitability across photography genres. By the end, you’ll understand which compact superzoom will better fit your creative needs and budget.

Knowing Your Gear: Physical Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

The first impression you get from a camera often comes from how it feels and fits in your hands. Size and weight impact portability, stability during shooting, and ease of access to controls.

When placing both cameras side by side, the Canon feels noticeably larger and heavier - a factor that may influence your carrying comfort for day-long shoots or travel. The Sony HX90V's slimmer profile and light weight make it highly pocketable, better suited for street or travel photography when discretion and ease of carry are priorities.

The Canon’s more substantial grip and bigger, well-spaced buttons offer an advantage for those who prioritize handling and stability, especially when shooting at full zoom lengths or in low-light conditions.

The Sony, despite its compactness, features a well-designed tilt screen allowing for creative shooting angles, which we’ll cover later, boosting usability.

Design and Control Layout: Navigating Your Camera with Ease

How a camera’s controls are laid out has a direct impact on your shooting experience. Quick access to exposure, ISO, and focus settings lets you react swiftly to changing scenes.

The Canon SX520 HS opts for straightforward simplicity - less gadgetry, fewer distracting buttons:

• Traditional button layout with minimal dedicated dials
• Fixed 3" LCD screen without touch or tilt functions
• No electronic viewfinder; relies solely on the rear LCD for composition

In contrast, Sony’s HX90V brings some modern conveniences:

• Tilting 3" LCD screen with higher resolution (921k dots vs. Canon’s 461k)
• Built-in pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 638k dot resolution and 100% coverage, enabling eye-level shooting in bright conditions
• More compact top view controls with an exposed mode dial for fast operation

The inclusion of an EVF on the HX90V is a significant usability advantage in bright outdoor shooting, where LCD visibility can be a struggle. Its tilting screen aids in low or high angle framing - a bonus for street or macro photography.

The Canon, while simpler, provides a solid, straightforward interface that beginners appreciate for getting started quickly without the complexity. The trade-off is less versatility in framing and less precise control.

Unpacking Image Quality: Sensors and Resolution Under the Hood

Despite similar sensor sizes (both using 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensors measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with a sensor area of approximately 28.07 mm²), there are notable distinctions in resolution and processing engine that impact image quality.

While both sensors fall into the compact category, Sony’s HX90V offers a slightly higher resolution with 18 megapixels versus Canon’s 16. This results in more detailed images, particularly beneficial in landscape and wildlife photography where cropping is common.

Sony extends the ISO range dramatically up to 12800, promising better performance in low light and night photography, although noise levels increase substantially at extreme sensitivities.

In practical testing, the Sony demonstrated:

• Cleaner images at ISO 800 and 1600 compared to the Canon
• Sharper details and better color fidelity thanks to the BIONZ X processor’s improved noise reduction and color reproduction algorithms
• Superior dynamic range in challenging lighting (though modest overall due to sensor size limitations)

The Canon’s DIGIC 4+ processor is dated but still capable for casual shooting, offering moderate JPEG quality with decent color but noticeable noise past ISO 800.

Neither camera supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility - a consideration if you want maximum image manipulation freedom.

LCD and Viewfinder: How You See Your Shots Matters

Composing an image is fundamental, and how you do it affects your creativity and comfort. Both cameras feature 3" LCD panels, but their characteristics diverge significantly.

The Canon's fixed, lower-resolution screen is serviceable for framing and reviewing images but struggles under bright sunlight. Its fixed position restricts creative framing angles involving extreme low or high perspectives.

Sony’s HX90V shines in this area:

• Tiltable LCD flips up almost 180°, perfect for selfies or vlog-style shooting, a notable plus for content creators.
• The electronic viewfinder offers sharp, lag-free composition indoors and outdoors, helping photographers maintain stability during longer exposures or reach for higher accuracy when zoomed in.

If you frequently shoot under varied lighting conditions or enjoy unconventional framing, Sony’s display and EVF will improve your shooting experience markedly.

Zoom Power and Image Stabilization: Getting Closer to the Action

Zoom range can be a decisive factor in superzoom cameras. Both models feature long-range zooms but differ in reach and lens aperture.

The Canon SX520 HS’s 42x zoom outperforms the Sony’s 30x by providing longer reach, valuable for wildlife or sports photography where distant subjects are common. The trade-off is slower apertures at the telephoto end, which limits low-light usability somewhat.

Both cameras employ optical image stabilization to counteract hand shake, crucial at full zoom to maintain sharpness. Our tests found:

• Both models effectively reduce blur up to mid-telephoto lengths.
• Canon’s stabilization is competent but less refined than Sony’s improved steady shot system.
• Sony’s stabilization paired with the EVF creates a steadier framing experience.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking Capability

Autofocus system performance can define your success in capturing moments, particularly with moving subjects common in wildlife and sports.

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus systems with face detection and offer continuous AF and tracking.

However, differences emerge in autofocus speed and accuracy:

Sony’s autofocus system reportedly delivers faster acquisition and more reliable tracking, particularly when subjects move erratically. This is partly due to the advanced BIONZ X processor optimizing AF algorithms.

The Canon, while adequate for casual shooting, struggles more with focus hunting in low contrast or low light environments.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Performance: Capturing Action

High-speed continuous shooting is a core feature for wildlife and sports photographers who need to freeze motion.

• Canon SX520 HS: 2 frames per second (fps)
• Sony HX90V: 10 fps

Canon SX520 HS front Canon SX520 HS screen back Sony HX90V front Sony HX90V screen back

Sony clearly dominates burst shooting speed, allowing you to capture more decisive moments. The Canon’s 2 fps cadence is limiting for anything beyond static or slow-moving subjects.

Note that neither camera offers extensive buffer depth or RAW burst capture, so prolonged fast shooting sessions are constrained.

Video Capabilities: Capturing Motion With Precision

Video functionality is essential for many photographers transitioning into multimedia creators.

Sony’s HX90V clearly leads in video:

• Higher frame rate options enable smoother motion and slow-motion effects at Full HD.
• XAVC S codec offers better compression quality over Canon’s MPEG-4.
• Lack of external mic input on both cameras limits audio quality potential.

Canon’s video limitations and lack of advanced codecs suggests it is less suited for serious video creators, whereas Sony offers more flexibility - especially for casual vloggers.

Battery Life and Storage: Keeping Your Camera Ready for the Day

Longer battery life and flexible storage options contribute to uninterrupted shooting.

The Sony’s higher rated 360 shots per charge almost doubles Canon’s 210 shots, enhancing reliability during long days out.

Sony’s support for Memory Stick alongside SD cards adds versatility if you have legacy accessories.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Fixed Lenses Limit Adaptability

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses, meaning you cannot change optics. For superzoom compacts, lens interchangeability isn’t an option, so lens specifications and quality matter greatly.

Canon’s 42x zoom lens excels in reach, albeit with slightly faster apertures at the wide end, favoring low-light and bokeh performance.

Sony’s 30x zoom is shorter but paired with superior optics and a sharper sensor, yielding crisper images at equivalent focal lengths.

Connectivity and Extras: Sharing Your Creations

In modern cameras, wireless connectivity is vital for portability and instant sharing.

• Canon SX520 HS: No built-in wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC)
• Sony HX90V: Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC; GPS built-in

Sony’s wireless features enhance the shooting workflow by:

• Enabling remote camera control via smartphones
• Quick image transfer to mobile devices for social sharing
• Adding GPS data to photos for location tagging

Canon’s lack of connectivity options limits convenience in the digital age.

Price-to-Performance: What’s the Best Value?

At current market prices:

• Canon SX520 HS: Approximately $219
• Sony HX90V: Approximately $440

While the Canon comes in nearly half the price, its aged processor, weaker autofocus, limited zoom stabilization, and lack of connectivity reflect in its lower cost.

Sony’s HX90V, though more expensive, provides better image and video quality, faster autofocus, longer battery life, and enhanced user controls - justifying the premium for enthusiastic hobbyists seeking versatility.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Tailoring Your Choice

Let’s break down how these cameras perform across different photography types.

Summary: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Canon SX520 HS:

• Pros:
  • Impressive 42x zoom at an affordable price
  • Simple, intuitive controls good for beginners
  • Optical image stabilization assists handheld shooting
• Cons:
  • Heavier and bulkier design
  • Outdated processor and lower resolution
  • No wireless connectivity or viewfinder
  • Limited video and burst shooting capabilities
  • No RAW support or advanced autofocus modes

Best for: Budget-conscious users seeking long zoom reach in a simple package for casual travel or family use.

Sony HX90V:

• Pros:
  • Compact, lightweight, excellent ergonomics
  • Tilting LCD and built-in pop-up EVF for versatile composition
  • Faster autofocus and 10 fps burst shooting
  • Higher resolution sensor and better low-light performance
  • Wi-Fi, NFC, and built-in GPS features
  • Superior video options with 1080p60 and advanced codecs
• Cons:
  • Shorter 30x zoom compared to Canon
  • No microphone/headphone ports
  • More expensive

Best for: Enthusiasts and travelers seeking a highly portable, versatile superzoom with advanced features, better image quality, and improved creative control.

Final Thoughts: Matching Gear to Your Creative Vision

Selecting between the Canon SX520 HS and Sony HX90V depends largely on how you prioritize zoom reach, image quality, portability, and features.

If budget and extended zoom range matter most, and you’re mostly shooting bright daylight scenes or casual family moments, the Canon offers a worthy entry point.

If you want superior image quality, faster burst shooting, an EVF, and smart connectivity in a compact body, Sony’s HX90V is the clear winner - albeit at nearly double the price.

Both cameras have limitations as small-sensor fixed-lens compacts: no RAW support, modest low-light ability, and limited manual control depth. Remember to weigh these factors against your creative aspirations and consider trying both hands-on if possible.

Getting Started With Your Superzoom Adventure

Whichever camera you choose, practices like shooting in good light, keeping lenses clean, and understanding your zoom’s strengths will maximize results.

Consider pairing your camera with a sturdy travel tripod for landscapes or night photography, and explore compatible cases or straps to improve handling comfort.

To dive deeper into creative photography, explore setting manual mode to control exposure, try face detection for portraits, and experiment with different focal lengths for storytelling.

Superzoom compacts like the Canon SX520 HS or Sony HX90V are gateways to versatile photography creativity. They help you capture the world without lugging heavy equipment while delivering satisfying image quality and control.

Ready to zoom in on your best shot yet? Check out local stores or rentals to handle these cameras before buying. With practice and patience, your new camera can open up exciting visual journeys.

This comparison draws from extensive hands-on testing, real-world shooting challenges, and detailed technical analysis to guide your purchase decision confidently and informedly. We empower you to find equipment that fits your individual photography journey and helps express your unique vision.