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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony WX5

Portability
69
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony WX5 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
  • Launched July 2014
  • Old Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX530 HS
Sony WX5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
  • Revealed July 2010
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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony WX5 Overview

Following is a in depth overview of the Canon SX520 HS vs Sony WX5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and WX5 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was announced 4 years after the WX5 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the SX520 HS scores against the WX5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Sony WX5

 SX520 HS WX5 
RevealedJuly 2014July 2010More modern by 50 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Canon SX520 HS

 WX5 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Sony WX5

 SX520 HS WX5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution461k461kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX520 HS features physical measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Sony WX5 has proportions of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") along with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX520 HS vs Sony WX5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX520 HS against the WX5.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony WX5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and WX5 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony WX5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specs. The picture here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SX520 HS and WX5.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Canon SX520 HS to offer you extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern SX520 HS will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony WX5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony WX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX520 HS
Portrait photography with Sony WX5
44
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Street photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Street photography camera
47
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography advice
Sony WX5 Sports photography advice
45
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (210 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
34
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Travel photography camera
55
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great zoom (1008mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery (210 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
58
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography information
Sony WX5 Landscape photography information
46
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery (210 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
37
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.4)
no manual control
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging features
Sony WX5 Vlogging features
29
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of microphone port
32
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f2.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony WX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Sony WX5
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-07-29 2010-07-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4+ Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus distance 0cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.8 inches
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.50 m 5.10 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
External flash
Auto exposure 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 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 441 gr (0.97 lb) 146 gr (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $219 $250