• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 336.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon 520 HS advantages over Nikon W300

  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    336 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 29 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    155g vs 231g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon W300 advantages over Canon 520 HS

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 280 vs 190 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    25 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 2.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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 W300
Nikon W300 (Black)
  • Nikon W300 (Black)
  • Nikon W300 (Orange)
  • Nikon W300 (Yellow)
All W300 Deals

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 W300
Canon 510 HS
  • $387
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon W300 vs Canon 510 HS

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 W300
Canon 530 HS
  • $387
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon W300 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 W300
Sony W690
  • $387
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon W300 vs Sony W690

Compared to Nikon AW120

Canon 520 HS
Nikon AW120
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Nikon AW120

Nikon W300
Nikon AW120
  • $387
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon W300 vs Nikon AW120

Compared to Nikon AW130

Canon 520 HS
Nikon AW130
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Nikon AW130

Nikon W300
Nikon AW130
  • $387
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Nikon W300 vs Nikon AW130

Compare Other Cameras?