• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1008.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
  • Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
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Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon SX510 HS
SX510 HS vs SX520 HS
Successor:    
General
Model Number: DSLR-A500 SX520 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $849.99 $400.00
Street Price:   $344.98
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2014-09-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 31.7 oz (900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
15.6 oz (441 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 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: 12.3 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: 5.55 microns 1.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 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: 64  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.8  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.6  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 772  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4272 x 2848 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
4272 x 2400 (10.3 MP, 16:9),
3104 x 2072 (6.4 MP, 3:2),
3104 x 1744 (5.4 MP, 16:9),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2188 x 1192 (2.6 MP, Other)
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, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.9 10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format:   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: 3.00x 42.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.4 (W) / f/6.0 (T) - ???
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   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: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes 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: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 461,000 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 13.4x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom 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: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) 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, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View 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, 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): 12.0 m / 39.4 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: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW  
Movie File Format:   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:
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): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote Mini (Type-C) HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 0.63
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.47  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 9  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.9 10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 5  
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): 0.18 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.182 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.21 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s  
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   210 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary NB-6LH
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 1 x Proprietary NB-6LH Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM  
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+)  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output. DIGIC 4+ processor.