• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 185.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1008.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SD970 IS advantages over Canon SX520 HS

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 270 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    189g vs 441g
    Lighter weight

Canon SX520 HS advantages over Canon SD970 IS

  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,008 mm vs 185 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    10 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Canon SX520 HS

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SD890 IS

Canon SD970 IS
Canon SD890 IS
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD890 IS

Canon SX520 HS
Canon SD890 IS
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SD890 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Canon SD970 IS
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Canon SX520 HS
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Compared to Sony DSC-W290

Canon SD970 IS
Sony DSC-W290
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Sony DSC-W290

Canon SX520 HS
Sony DSC-W290
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Newer
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Sony DSC-W290

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Canon SD970 IS
Canon SX530 HS
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX520 HS
Canon SX530 HS
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX530 HS

Compared to Canon SX540 HS

Canon SD970 IS
Canon SX540 HS
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX540 HS

Canon SX520 HS
Canon SX540 HS
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS

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