• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 336.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon 520 HS advantages over Ricoh Theta SC

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    336 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta SC advantages over Canon 520 HS

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 260 vs 190 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    102g vs 155g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    14.5 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 520 HS
Canon ELPH 520 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh Theta SC
Ricoh Theta SC (Beige)
  • Ricoh Theta SC (Beige)
  • Ricoh Theta SC (Blue)
  • Ricoh Theta SC (Pink)
  • Ricoh Theta SC (White)
All Theta SC Deals

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 SD4500 IS

Canon 520 HS
Canon SD4500 IS
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Canon SD4500 IS

Ricoh Theta SC
Canon SD4500 IS
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta SC vs Canon SD4500 IS

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

Ricoh Theta SC
Canon 510 HS
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta SC 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

Ricoh Theta SC
Canon 530 HS
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta SC vs Canon 530 HS

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

Ricoh Theta SC
Sony W690
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta SC vs Sony W690

Compared to Sony WX80

Canon 520 HS
Sony WX80
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Sony WX80

Ricoh Theta SC
Sony WX80
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta SC vs Sony WX80

Compare Other Cameras?