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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony W800

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony W800 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
  • Released July 2014
  • Older Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • New Model is Canon SX530 HS
Sony W800
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.4) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 55 x 21mm
  • Introduced February 2014
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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony W800 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Canon SX520 HS vs Sony W800, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the W800 (20MP) is very comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX520 HS was announced 6 months after the W800 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SX520 HS scores vs the W800 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Sony W800

 SX520 HS W800 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W800 over the Canon SX520 HS

 W800 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Sony W800

 SX520 HS W800 
IntroducedJuly 2014February 2014Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony W800 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX520 HS has got physical measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) and the Sony W800 has sizing of 97mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Canon SX520 HS vs Sony W800 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the SX520 HS against the W800.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony W800 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and W800 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony W800 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony W800 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions simply by going through technical specs. The pic below will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX520 HS and W800.

As you can tell, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony W800 to provide extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics far more aggressively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony W800 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony W800 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony W800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX520 HS
Portrait photography with Sony W800
44
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
38
good MP (20MP)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography advice
Sony W800 Street photography advice
46
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX520 HS
Sports photography with Sony W800
45
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography highlights
Sony W800 Travel photography highlights
55
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (1008mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
70
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
good MP (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W800 as a Landscape photography camera
45
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery pack (210 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
41
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W800 as a Vlogging camera
29
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic port
33
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony W800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Sony W800
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-07-29 2014-02-13
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.2-6.4
Macro focusing distance 0cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVI MPEG4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 441 grams (0.97 pounds) 125 grams (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 97 x 55 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH NP-BN
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/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $219 $90