Canon SX520 vs Sony H200

The Canon PowerShot SX520 HS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in July 2014 and January 2013. Both the SX520 and the H200 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 15.9 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 15.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon SX520		Sony H200
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
24-1008mm f/3.4-6		24-633mm f/3.1-5.9
15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor		15.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
1080/30p Video		720/30p Video
ISO 100-3,200		ISO 100-3,200
No viewfinder, LCD framing		No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 461k dots		3.0" LCD – 460k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
1.6 shutter flaps per second		0.8 shutter flaps per second
210 shots per battery charge		240 shots per battery charge
120 x 82 x 92 mm, 441 g		123 x 83 x 87 mm, 530 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon SX520 and the Sony H200. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony H200 is somewhat larger (4 percent) than the Canon SX520. Moreover, the H200 is markedly heavier (20 percent) than the SX520. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX520 nor the H200 are weather-sealed.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

#		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon SX520	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	441 g	210	n	Jul 2014	399	ebay.com
2.		Sony H200	123 mm	83 mm	87 mm	530 g	240	n	Jan 2013	249	ebay.com
3.		Canon SX540	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	442 g	205	n	Jan 2016	399	ebay.com
4.		Canon SX530	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	442 g	210	n	Jan 2015	429	ebay.com
5.		Canon SX710	113 mm	66 mm	35 mm	269 g	230	n	Jan 2015	349	ebay.com
6.		Canon SX700	113 mm	66 mm	35 mm	269 g	250	n	Feb 2014	349	ebay.com
7.		Canon SX60	128 mm	93 mm	114 mm	650 g	340	n	Sep 2014	549	ebay.com
8.		Canon T5	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	480 g	500	n	Feb 2014	449	ebay.com
9.		Canon SX510	104 mm	70 mm	80 mm	349 g	250	n	Aug 2013	249	ebay.com
10.		Nikon B600	122 mm	82 mm	99 mm	500 g	280	n	Jan 2019	349	ebay.com
11.		Nikon B500	114 mm	78 mm	95 mm	541 g	600	n	Jan 2016	299	ebay.com
12.		Nikon L840	113 mm	78 mm	96 mm	538 g	590	n	Feb 2015	299	ebay.com
13.		Sony HX90V	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	245 g	360	n	Apr 2015	429	ebay.com
14.		Sony H400	130 mm	95 mm	122 mm	628 g	300	n	Feb 2014	319	ebay.com
15.		Sony H300	128 mm	89 mm	92 mm	590 g	350	n	Feb 2014	219	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The H200 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 38 percent) than the SX520, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the SX520 offers a slightly higher resolution of 15.9 megapixels, compared with 15.2 MP of the H200. This megapixels advantage translates into a 11 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the SX520 has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.33μm versus 1.36μm for the H200). In this context, it should be noted, however, that the SX520 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 6 months) than the H200, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that at least partly compensate for the smaller pixel size. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The Canon PowerShot SX520 HS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 offers exactly the same ISO settings.

In terms of underlying technology, the SX520 is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the H200 uses a CCD imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

#		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon SX520	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.1	11.5	672	46
2.		Sony H200	1/2.3	15.2	5184	2930	720/30p	19.9	11.2	529	44
3.		Canon SX540	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.3	11.7	806	48
4.		Canon SX530	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.2	11.6	712	47
5.		Canon SX710	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.2	11.6	712	47
6.		Canon SX700	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	20.1	11.4	629	45
7.		Canon SX60	1/2.3	14.2	4608	3072	1080/60p	19.2	10.8	127	39
8.		Canon T5	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.3	724	63
9.		Canon SX510	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/24p	20.0	11.3	586	45
10.		Nikon B600	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.7	12.2	1095	52
11.		Nikon B500	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60i	20.3	11.7	810	48
12.		Nikon L840	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60i	20.2	11.6	721	47
13.		Sony HX90V	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	1080/60p	20.2	11.6	738	47
14.		Sony H400	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/30p	20.1	11.4	630	45
15.		Sony H300	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/30p	20.1	11.4	630	45
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the SX520 provides a higher video resolution than the H200. It can shoot video footage at 1080/30p, while the Sony is limited to 720/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The SX520 and the H200 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon SX520, the Sony H200, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

#		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon SX520	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	1.6/s	Y	Y
2.		Sony H200	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/1500s	0.8/s	Y	Y
3.		Canon SX540	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.9/s	Y	Y
4.		Canon SX530	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	1.6/s	Y	Y
5.		Canon SX710	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	6.0/s	Y	Y
6.		Canon SX700	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	8.5/s	Y	Y
7.		Canon SX60	922	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	n	1/2000s	6.4/s	Y	Y
8.		Canon T5	optical	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
9.		Canon SX510	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/1600s	3.8/s	Y	Y
10.		Nikon B600	none	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.4/s	Y	Y
11.		Nikon B500	none	n	3.0 / 921	tilting	n	1/4000s	7.4/s	Y	Y
12.		Nikon L840	none	n	3.0 / 921	tilting	n	1/4000s	7.4/s	Y	Y
13.		Sony HX90V	638	n	3.0 / 921	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
14.		Sony H400	210	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/2000s	0.7/s	Y	Y
15.		Sony H300	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/1500s	0.8/s	Y	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

Both the SX520 and the H200 have zoom lenses built in. The SX520 has a 24-1008mm f/3.4-6 optic and the H200 offers a 24-633mm f/3.1-5.9 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Canon and Sony provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the Sony has less tele-photo reach at the long end. The H200 offers the faster maximum aperture.

The SX520 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the H200 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

#		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon SX520	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Sony H200	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon SX540	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Canon SX530	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Canon SX710	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
6.		Canon SX700	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
7.		Canon SX60	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
8.		Canon T5	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon SX510	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Nikon B600	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
11.		Nikon B500	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
12.		Nikon L840	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
13.		Sony HX90V	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Sony H400	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
15.		Sony H300	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-

Both the SX520 and the H200 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The SX520 was replaced by the Canon SX530, while the H200 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the SX520 and H200 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX520 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony H200 Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon SX520 better than the Sony H200 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS:

• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/30p vs 720/30p).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/2000s vs 1/1500s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (1.6 vs 0.8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 89g or 17 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 6 months after the H200).

Arguments in favor of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200:

• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/3.1 vs f/3.4).
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (240 versus 210) out of a single battery charge.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (38 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in January 2013).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the SX520 emerges as the winner of the contest (6 : 4 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX520 and the Sony H200 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the SX520 or the H200. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

#		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon SX520	..	+	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jul 2014	399	ebay.com
2.		Sony H200	..	..	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jan 2013	249	ebay.com
3.		Canon SX540	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2016	399	ebay.com
4.		Canon SX530	..	+ +	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2015	429	ebay.com
5.		Canon SX710	..	+	..	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2015	349	ebay.com
6.		Canon SX700	..	+ +	..	..	4/5	4/5	Feb 2014	349	ebay.com
7.		Canon SX60	3/5	+ +	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	549	ebay.com
8.		Canon T5	3/5	+	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	449	ebay.com
9.		Canon SX510	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2013	249	ebay.com
10.		Nikon B600	..	+	..	..	3.5/5	3/5	Jan 2019	349	ebay.com
11.		Nikon B500	..	+	..	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2016	299	ebay.com
12.		Nikon L840	..	+ +	..	..	3.5/5	4/5	Feb 2015	299	ebay.com
13.		Sony HX90V	4/5	+ +	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Apr 2015	429	ebay.com
14.		Sony H400	..	o	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2014	319	ebay.com
15.		Sony H300	..	+	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2014	219	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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