Sony A57 vs Canon SX520 HS Specifications

Leave Feedback

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A57 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A57.

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.

Detailed specifications
Sony Alpha SLT-A57
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Links
Prices:		Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:		Canon SX510 HS SX510 HS vs SX520 HS
Successor:
General
Model Number:	A57	SX520 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):
Camera Format:	SLR	Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured:	No	No
Retail Price:	$799.99	$400.00
Street Price:		$344.98
Date Available:	2012-04-15	2014-09-30
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	29.2 oz (828 g) includes batteries, kit lens	15.6 oz (441 g) includes batteries
Size:	5.2 x 3.8 x 3.2 in. (132 x 98 x 81 mm)	4.7 x 3.2 x 3.6 in. (120 x 82 x 92 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:	Sony
Effective Megapixels:	16.1	16.0
Sensor Format:	APS-C	1/2.3 inch
Sensor size:	369.72mm² (23.7mm x 15.6mm)	28.0735mm² (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	4.82 microns	1.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	1.5x	n/a
Aspect Ratio:	3:2	4:3
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	Yes	No
Sensor shift image stabilization:	Yes	No
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:	75
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):	23.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):	13.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):	785
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2), 4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9), 3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other), 3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9), 2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other), 2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9), 12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other), 5536 x 2160 (12.0 MP, Other), 8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other), 3872 x 2160 (8.4 MP, Other), 7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other), 4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)	4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3), 4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2), 4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9), 3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1), 3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3), 3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2), 3264 x 1832 (6.0 MP, 16:9), 2448 x 2448 (6.0 MP, 1:1), 2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3), 2048 x 1368 (2.8 MP, 3:2), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9), 1536 x 1536 (2.4 MP, 1:1), 640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3), 640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other), 640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9), 480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format:	JPEG, MPO, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG	JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second:	10.0	10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies:	Yes	Yes
Movie Resolution:	1920x1080 (60p(PS)/60i(FX)/60i(FH)/24p(FX)/24p(FH)) 1440x1080 (30p) 640x480 (30p)	1920x1080 (30p) 1280x720 (30p) 640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format:	AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)	MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM (Stereo))
Composite Video Out:	No	Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	n/a	Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:	n/a
HD Video Out:	Yes	Yes
HD Video Connection:	HDMI	HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	Sony Alpha (Minolta A)	n/a
Lens:	Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM	Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	27 - 83mm	24 - 1,008mm
Focal Length (actual):	18 - 55mm	4.3 - 180.6mm
Zoom Ratio:	3.06x	42.00x
Aperture Range:	f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)	f/3.4 (W) / f/6.0 (T) - ???
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:	25 cm to Infinity 9.8 in to Infinity	5 cm to Infinity 2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:		0 - 50 cm 0.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread:	55.0mm	n/a
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	No	Yes
Digital Zoom:	Yes	Yes
Digital Zoom Values:	Up to 2x Precision, Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, 1.4x (8.4MP) or 2.0x (4MP) Smart Zoom	Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide (auto, 15 points), Zone, Spot, Local; Enhanced Object Tracking	Contrast Detection; Face Detect AiAF, Single AF point (center or face select and track)
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	EVF / LCD	No / LCD
Viewfinder Type:	EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.44M/1.25M-dot LCD (480K/418K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.04x/0.97x magnification, 23.1/25.2mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter
Focus Peaking:	Yes	No
EVF Resolution:		n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):	0.69x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):	1.04x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	Yes	No
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	3.0	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	921,600 dots (307,200 px)	461,000 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	Yes	No
Tilt Swivel Screen:		No
Selfie Screen:		No
Max Playback Zoom:	13.6x	10.0x
Top Deck Display:	No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):	16000	3200
Minimum ISO (native):	100	100
ISO Settings:	Auto (100-3200), 100 - 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)	Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range:	1/4000 - 30 sec	1/2000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	No
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot	Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (Center); Facial brightness is evaluated in Face Detection AF
Program Auto Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Aperture Priority:	Yes	Yes
Shutter Priority:	Yes	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:	Portrait, SportsAction, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night scene, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait; Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto Portrait Framing, Picture Effect (Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature), Dynamic Range Optimizer (Off/Auto/Level),	SCN: Portrait, Smart Shutter, High-speed Burst, Low Light, Snow, Fireworks; Creative Filters: Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect
Self Timer:	2 or 10 seconds	2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	Yes	Yes
Flash Modes:	Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off	Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro; Red-Eye Reduction available
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	10.0 m / 32.8 ft.	n/a
Flash Range Description:	Lens dependent	Auto ISO: 1.6 ft. - 18 ft. (W), 4.3 - 9.8 ft. (T) (50cm - 5.5m (W), (1.3 - 3.0m (T))
Max Flash Sync:	1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:	+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	Hot shoe	n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC	SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	No	No
RAW Capture Support:	Yes	No
Uncompressed Format:	RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:	AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)	MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM (Stereo))
Included Memory:		No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	No
NFC:	No
Bluetooth:	No	No
Built-In GPS:	No	No
Microphone Jack:	No	No
Headphone Jack:	No	No
External Connections:	USB 2.0 High Speed	USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant:	Yes	Yes
DPOF Compliant:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control:	Yes	No
Remote Control Type:	Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended):	Type-C Mini HDMI (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input	Mini (Type-C) HDMI

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):		0.63
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	10.0	10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	25
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):
Shutter Lag (manual focus):
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):
Shutter Lag (prefocused):
Shutter Lag (notes):
Startup Time:
Play -> Record Time:
Flash cycle time, full power:
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):		210 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):	550 shots
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary	Proprietary NB-6LH
Usable Battery Types:	NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable	Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary NB-6LH Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:	Yes
Internal Charging Supported:	No
Software
Included Software:	Sony Software CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:	Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:	SteadyShot INSIDE Sensor-shift Image Stabilization (up to 4.5 EV correction), Full HD 1080p60 Video, Up to 12 fps Burst Mode (Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE), Enhanced Object Tracking AF, 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom, New Auto Portrait Framing, Tilting 921K-dot LCD, 1.44M-dot EVF.	DIGIC 4+ processor.