• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 336.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon 520 HS advantages over Pentax WG-2 GPS

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    336 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 30 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.8 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax WG-2 GPS advantages over Canon 520 HS

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 260 vs 190 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 520 HS
Canon ELPH 520 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax WG-2 GPS
Pentax WG-2 GPS

Review Excerpt

  • Compact 12x zoom; Optical image stabilization; Full HD movies; Handheld Night Scene mode; Good shutter lag time.

  • Uses microSD media; Short battery life; Flash is weak; Soft at telephoto; Tiny buttons.

  • Read our Canon 520 HS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 510 HS

Canon 520 HS
Canon 510 HS
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More pixels

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Canon 510 HS

Pentax WG-2 GPS
Canon 510 HS
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Canon 510 HS

Compared to Canon 530 HS

Canon 520 HS
Canon 530 HS
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Canon 530 HS

Pentax WG-2 GPS
Canon 530 HS
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Canon 530 HS

Compared to Pentax WG-2

Canon 520 HS
Pentax WG-2
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Pentax WG-2

Pentax WG-2 GPS
Pentax WG-2
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Pentax WG-2

Compared to Sony W690

Canon 520 HS
Sony W690
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Sony W690

Pentax WG-2 GPS
Sony W690
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W690

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Canon 520 HS
Olympus TG-850
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Olympus TG-850

Pentax WG-2 GPS
Olympus TG-850
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Olympus TG-850

Compare Other Cameras?