Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S930
69 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S930 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed July 2014
- Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
- Refreshed by Canon SX530 HS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.4" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 320 x 240 video
- 38-108mm (F2.9-5.4) lens
- 167g - 90 x 61 x 26mm
- Released January 2009

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S930 Overview
Let's look more closely at the Canon SX520 HS and Sony S930, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and S930 (10MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX520 HS was introduced 5 years after the S930 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SX520 HS matches up against the S930 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S930 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930. The whole galleries are available at Canon SX520 HS Gallery & Sony S930 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Sony S930
SX520 HS | S930 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2014 | ![]() | January 2009 | Newer by 68 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.4" | Bigger screen (+0.6") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 112k | Clearer screen (+349k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S930 over the Canon SX520 HS
S930 | SX520 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Sony S930
SX520 HS | S930 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S930 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX520 HS enjoys external measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) and the Sony S930 has sizing of 90mm x 61mm x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Look at the Canon SX520 HS and Sony S930 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX520 HS compared to the S930.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX520 HS and S930 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S930 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its hard to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The image here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX520 HS and S930.
As you can see, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon SX520 HS to deliver extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent SX520 HS should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S930 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S930 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2014-07-29 | 2009-01-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4+ | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
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 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-1008mm (42.0x) | 38-108mm (2.8x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.4-6.0 | f/2.9-5.4 |
Macro focusing range | 0cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.4 inch |
Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dots | 112 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 1/8s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.50 m | 3.00 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, Forced Flash, Slow Syncro, No Flash |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
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) | 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 320x240 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | none |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 441 gr (0.97 lbs) | 167 gr (0.37 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") | 90 x 61 x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0") |
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 shots | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / PRo-HG Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $219 | $219 |