• 1/1.72 inch 41.5mm2
  • 13.6 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 102.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 336.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Samsung SL310 advantages over Canon 520 HS

  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    1/1.72 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More pixels
    13.6 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Canon 520 HS advantages over Samsung SL310

  • More telephoto lens reach
    336 mm vs 102 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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

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
  • 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

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Buy the Canon 520 HS

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.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax A40

Samsung SL310
Pentax A40
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle lens
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Manual focus
Canon 520 HS
Pentax A40
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Pentax S12

Samsung SL310
Pentax S12
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Manual focus
Canon 520 HS
Pentax S12
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Samsung TL34HD

Samsung SL310
Samsung TL34HD
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
Canon 520 HS
Samsung TL34HD
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Canon 510 HS

Samsung SL310
Canon 510 HS
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
Canon 520 HS
Canon 510 HS
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More pixels

Compared to Canon 530 HS

Samsung SL310
Canon 530 HS
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon 520 HS
Canon 530 HS
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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