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Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P520

Portability
89
Imaging
46
Features
51
Overall
48
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45

Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P520 Key Specs

Canon SX720 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20.3MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-960mm (F3.3-6.9) lens
  • 270g - 110 x 64 x 36mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Older Model is Canon SX710 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX730 HS
Nikon P520
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Earlier Model is Nikon P510
  • Successor is Nikon P530
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Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P520 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P520, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX720 HS (20.3MP) and the P520 (18MP) is very close and they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX720 HS was launched 3 years later than the P520 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX720 HS being a Compact camera and the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SX720 HS grades vs the P520 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Nikon P520

 SX720 HS P520 
IntroducedFebruary 2016January 2013More recent by 38 months
Display resolution922k921kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Canon SX720 HS

 P520 SX720 HS 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Canon SX720 HS and Nikon P520

 SX720 HS P520 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P520 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX720 HS features physical dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Nikon P520 has sizing of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") having a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).

See the Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P520 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 use during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SX720 HS and the P520.

Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P520 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX720 HS and P520 is 89 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P520 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P520 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching specifications. The photograph underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX720 HS and P520.

To sum up, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should expect to see the Canon SX720 HS to provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 2.3MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more recent SX720 HS provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P520 sensor size comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P520 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P520 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Portrait photography information
Nikon P520 Portrait photography information
47
you can focus manually
good resolution (20.3 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
41
manual focus
good MP (18MP)
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX720 HS
Street photography with Nikon P520
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (270 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
51
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competition (550g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX720 HS
Sports photography with Nikon P520
48
incredible zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20.3MP)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (5.9 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (250 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
46
great zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX720 HS
Travel photography with Nikon P520
67
lighter than competition (270 grams)
good resolution (20.3MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (960mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (250 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
57
good MP (18MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (1000mm)
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
heavier than competition (550 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX720 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon P520 as a Landscape photography camera
50
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20.3MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery pack (250 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
46
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Vlogging highlights
Nikon P520 Vlogging highlights
34
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (270 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone port
57
fairly wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no external mic jack
heavier than competition (550 grams)
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Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P520 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX720 HS and Nikon P520
 Canon PowerShot SX720 HSNikon Coolpix P520
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX720 HS Nikon Coolpix P520
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-02-18 2013-01-29
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 20.3 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-960mm (40.0x) 24-1000mm (41.7x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.9 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 922 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.9fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 270g (0.60 lbs) 550g (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0")
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 250 photographs 200 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-13L EN-EL5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $379 $380