• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1008.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha NEX-7
  • Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Sony Alpha NEX-7 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon SX510 HS
SX510 HS vs SX520 HS
Successor:    
General
Model Number: NEX-7 SX520 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1349.99 $400.00
Street Price: $1,248.00 $344.98
Date Available: 2011-11-15 2014-09-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 19.8 oz (560 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
15.6 oz (441 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.7 in.
(120 x 67 x 43 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: 24.3 16.0
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.92 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: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 81  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.1  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.4  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,016  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
4240 x 2832 (12.0 MP, 3:2),
4240 x 2400 (10.2 MP, Other),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (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 (EXIF 2.3), MPO (3D), RAW (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/​28Mbps/​PS or 60i/​24Mbps/​FX or 60i/​17Mbps/​FH or 24p/​24Mbps/​FX or 24p/​17Mbps/​FH)
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
1920x1080 (30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo 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 E n/a
Lens: Sony SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 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 - 34 (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: 49.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 10x Precision digital zoom Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect: 25-area, Center, Flexible Spot, Object Tracking, Face Detection 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; 1.3cm (0.5-inch) 2,359K-dot OLED, 100% coverage, 1.09x magnification (0.71x 35mm eq.), 23mm eyepoint, -4 to +1 diopter  
Focus Peaking: Yes No
EVF Resolution: 2,359,000 dots n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.73x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.09x  
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 No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.7x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 16000 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000. Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white/Cool white/Day white/Daylight), Flash, C. Temp 2500 to 9900K, C Filter G7 to M7 (15-step), Custom, AWB micro adjustment 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, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D) 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 , 10, 10 (3 or 5 frames) 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, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro; Red-Eye Reduction available
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 6.0 m / 19.7 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: GN=6(m) at ISO 100; Range is lens aperture 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: No UHS support  
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG  
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM (Stereo))
Included Memory: No memory included 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: Yes 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  
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD), 3.5mm Stereo Mic Jack Mini (Type-C) HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.59 0.63
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.65  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 5  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.69  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 10.0 10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 18  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 10.0  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 13  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 10.0  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 11  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.22 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.073 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.40 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.022 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF lag: Wide-area AF = 0.225s  
Startup Time: 1.2 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 1.2 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.8 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 430 shots 210 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 350 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FW50 Proprietary NB-6LH
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 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: Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter 4)  
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.5 +); PMB is Windows only  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 3", 921K-dot, Tilting LCD, XGA OLED TruFinder EVF, 1080p60 AVCHD 2.0 Videos, 10fps Full-res Burst Mode, Sweep Panorama, Hand-held Twilight, Anti-Motion Blur, Auto HDR, DRO, Level Gauge, SD/MS Duo Media Support, Built-in Flash, Flash Hot-shoe. DIGIC 4+ processor.