• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 336.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon 520 HS advantages over Nikon S6400

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 26 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon S6400 advantages over Canon 520 HS

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 2.8 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
  • 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 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 520 HS
Canon ELPH 520 HS
All 520 HS Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S6400

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 510 HS

Canon 520 HS
Canon 510 HS
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More pixels

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Canon 510 HS

Nikon S6400
Canon 510 HS
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Nikon S6400 vs Canon 510 HS

Compared to Nikon S6200

Canon 520 HS
Nikon S6200
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Nikon S6200

Nikon S6400
Nikon S6200
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S6400 vs Nikon S6200

Compared to Nikon S6300

Canon 520 HS
Nikon S6300
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Nikon S6300

Nikon S6400
Nikon S6300
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S6400 vs Nikon S6300

Compared to Canon 530 HS

Canon 520 HS
Canon 530 HS
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Canon 530 HS

Nikon S6400
Canon 530 HS
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon S6400 vs Canon 530 HS

Compared to Sony W690

Canon 520 HS
Sony W690
  • $372
  • 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

Nikon S6400
Sony W690
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S6400 vs Sony W690

Compare Other Cameras?