Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon D500

Cameras
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon D500

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.0 megapixels
24.00mm - 1008.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX520 HS Review.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D500.
Compare Nikon D500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D500 conclusion.

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Differences

Canon SX520 HS advantages over Nikon D500

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lighter weight
441g vs 856g
Lighter weight

Nikon D500 advantages over Canon SX520 HS

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.22 vs 1.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1240 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Higher-res screen
590k 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
More pixels
20.9 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
1638400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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

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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D500 User Reviews

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Body Only
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition
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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Canon SX520 HS.
Read our Canon SX520 HS Preview

Superb image quality; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, comfortable camera body; Sharp articulating touchscreen display; Excellent AF point frame coverage; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K UHD video; Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.
Somewhat large for an APS-C camera; Expensive for a DX camera; 4K UHD video doesn't offer full DX field-of-view; No built-in flash; Still uses contrast-detect for Live View AF; Dual slots use two different card types (XQD and SD).
Read our Nikon D500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-820UZ

Canon SX520 HS

Olympus SP-820UZ

$345
1/2.3 inch

Manual focus
Longer exposure

$299
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Shoots 60p video

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Nikon D500

Olympus SP-820UZ

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$299
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

Compare Nikon D500 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX520 HS

Canon SX530 HS

$345
1/2.3 inch

Faster JPEG shooting

$259
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX530 HS

Nikon D500

Canon SX530 HS

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$259
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D500 vs Canon SX530 HS

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Canon SX520 HS

Pentax K-3 II

$345
1/2.3 inch

Internal flash
Lighter weight

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D500

Pentax K-3 II

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Sony A68

Canon SX520 HS

Sony A68

$345
1/2.3 inch

Faster JPEG shooting

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Sony A68

Nikon D500

Sony A68

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A68

Compared to Canon SX540 HS

Canon SX520 HS

Canon SX540 HS

$345
1/2.3 inch

Faster JPEG shooting

$364
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS

Nikon D500

Canon SX540 HS

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$364
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D500 vs Canon SX540 HS

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