• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1008.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX520 HS advantages over Ricoh GR II

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,008 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Ricoh GR II advantages over Canon SX520 HS

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 320 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    248g vs 441g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    300 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Shooting with a wide prime helps you see new shots; Good performance and fast autofocus; Excellent sharp, bright lens; Very customizable; In-camera Wi-Fi works with more than just Android and iOS; Supports Pentax wireless flash strobes

  • Fixed, wide prime lens isn't for everyone; Cramped controls; Burst capture is slower for JPEGs; Tends too warm under incandescent lighting; Wi-Fi app is poor, and web browser control has cluttered interface

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-820UZ

Canon SX520 HS
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video
Ricoh GR II
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Canon SX520 HS
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Ricoh GR II
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compared to Ricoh GR

Canon SX520 HS
Ricoh GR
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Ricoh GR II
Ricoh GR
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $799
  • APS-C

Compared to 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
Ricoh GR II
Canon SX530 HS
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to 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
Ricoh GR II
Canon SX540 HS
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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