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Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Canon PowerShot SX520 HSCanon PowerShot SX520 HSCanon PowerShot SX520 HSCanon PowerShot SX520 HSCanon PowerShot SX520 HSCanon PowerShot SX520 HSCanon PowerShot SX520 HSCanon PowerShot SX520 HSCanon PowerShot SX520 HSCanon PowerShot SX520 HS
alaScore 89

1097 reviews

Apr, 2026

alaTest has collected and analyzed 1097 reviews of Canon PowerShot SX520 HS. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Views about the portability and zoom are generally positive. The performance and price also get good feedback, whereas many are less positive about the storage and memory. There are some mixed opinions about the exposure.

usability, price, performance, zoom, portability

viewfinder, energy, shutter, memory, storage

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 89/100 = Very good quality.

See all Canon Digital Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 1097 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (64% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (22% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (6% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (4% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (3% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (84%)Show negative (16%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (80%)Show negative (20%)(Show all)
performance
  Show positive (90%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (96%)Show negative (4%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (82%)Show negative (18%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (77%)Show negative (23%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (82%)Show negative (18%)(Show all)
screen
  Show positive (74%)Show negative (26%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (96%)Show negative (4%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (56%)Show negative (44%)(Show all)
lens
  Show positive (81%)Show negative (19%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (68%)Show negative (32%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (81%)Show negative (19%)(Show all)
focus
  Show positive (60%)Show negative (40%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (35%)Show negative (65%)(Show all)
low-light
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
flash
  Show positive (60%)Show negative (40%)(Show all)
energy
  Show positive (22%)Show negative (78%)(Show all)
shutter
  Show positive (43%)Show negative (57%)(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (14%)Show negative (86%)(Show all)
stabilizer
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
optics
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
sensor
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
glare
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
storage
  Show positive (33%)Show negative (67%)(Show all)
color
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
exposure
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
Show more features

Showing 937 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 761 of 937 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (139)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 23 user reviews of Canon PowerShot SX520 HS from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.9/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Opinions about the design and portability are on the whole positive. The zoom and price are also appreciated. Many are less positive about the flash and size.

usability, price, zoom, portability, design

durability, lens, size, flash

83% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2026

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 700 user reviews of Canon PowerShot SX520 HS from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Reviews about the image quality and performance are generally positive. The zoom and price are also appreciated. There are some mixed views about the energy efficiency and screen, and some have doubts about the flash and storage.

usability, price, zoom, performance, image quality

viewfinder, shutter, memory, storage, flash

93% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2026

Consumer review (amazon.ca)

Amazon.ca review summary for Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 28 user reviews of Canon PowerShot SX520 HS from Amazon.ca. The average user rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.ca. Comments about the price and performance are generally positive. The image quality and usability also get good feedback.

zoom, usability, image quality, performance, price

89% of the reviews on Amazon.ca give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2026

Expert review by : Amy Davies (techradar.com)

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS review

 

42x optical zoom available with Digic 4+ processor

Long zoom ; Manual control ; Zoom Framing Assist

No Wi-Fi ; No touchscreen ; No raw format shooting

A good performer and all-round flexible camera for those looking for a holiday, travel or family camera.

Sep, 2014
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Expert review by : Ben Andrews (ephotozine.com)

Canon Powershot SX520 HS Review

 

Ben Andrews reviews the new Canon Powershot SX520 HS with 42x optical zoom lens and image stabilisation.

Decent image quality ; Fast, reliable performance ; 42x optical zoom ; Manual control ; Plenty of effects modes ; Relatively compact

No panorama or HDR modes ; No EVF, GPS or Wi-Fi ; Average screen quality ; Mediocre battery life

There’s a lot to like about the SX520 HS. It’s relatively compact and light for a bridge camera and is a doddle to use. That said, if you fancy getting creative, the extensive manual options and DSLR-like control wheel are welcome features. Whatever...

Oct, 2014
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Expert review by : Elias Plastiras (goodgearguide.com.au)

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS camera

 

This camera packs a 24-1008mm zoom lens for serious close-ups

42x optical zoom lens ; Simple operation and clean layout

No electronic viewfinder ; LCD screen lacks a hinge

Mar, 2015
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Expert review by : Elias Plastiras (pcworld.idg.com.au)

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS camera

 

This camera packs a 24-1008mm zoom lens for serious close-ups

42x optical zoom lens ; Simple operation and clean layout

No electronic viewfinder ; LCD screen lacks a hinge

Mar, 2015
Read the full review

Expert review by : Mark Peters (letsgodigital.org)

Canon PowerShot digital cameras

 

Canon PowerShot digital compact cameras : Canon is proud to introduce two new lightweight bridge cameras, the PowerShot SX520 HS and PowerShot SX400 IS. Boasting 42x and 30x optical zooms, both PowerShot cameras incorporate Canon's leading optical...

The Canon PowerShot SX520 HS compact camera will be available from August 2014 for 299 Euro. The Canon PowerShot SX400 IS superzoom camera will be available in September 2014 for €219 Euro. Retail prices vary from country to country. Availability of...

Aug, 2014
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Expert review by : Ilse Jurriën (letsgodigital.org)

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

 

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS digital camera : The PowerShot SX520 HS is the latest super-zoom camera from Canon. It is designed to give users the versatility and telephoto reach they need to capture subjects from far distances, the new PowerShot camera is...

In Europe the camera will be available in August 2014 for an estimated retail price of €359 / £299. In the USA the camera will retail in September 2014 for an estimated retail price of $399.99. As soon as we receive a test sample, we will put this...

Jul, 2014
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Expert review by : Gavin Stoker (photographyblog.com)

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Review

 

The Canon PowerShot SX520 HS is a new super-zoom camera. Incorporating a 42x otical zoom with optical image stabilisation, a 16-megapixel CMOS imager, and a dedicated movie button that enables users to easily record 1080p Full HD videos, the PowerShot...

Cramming a big 42x optical zoom into a compact body with a small-ish sensor is never going to make for the best of bedfellows if the ultimate in image quality is your aim, but we’d argue the 16 megapixel Canon PowerShot SX520 HS is more about...

Sep, 2014
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Expert review by : Mike Tomkins (imaging-resource.com)

Canon SX520 HS Review

 

Canon seems to have hit a sweet spot with its SX500-series long-zoom digital cameras. Both the original Canon SX500 HS and followup SX510 were big sellers, thanks to the combinatioon of generous zoom reach and an affordable pricetag. Now, the...

It will be interesting to see whether this new formula -- essentially, more zoom for more money -- pays off for Canon quite as well as did the previous strategy!

Jul, 2014
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Expert review by : Elias Plastiras (pcworld.co.nz)

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS camera

 

With a 42x optical zoom lens, Canon's PowerShot SX520 HS is greatly capable of bringing distance objects very close. Consider it if you want a camera to take on holidays, or simply if you just want a versatile everyday camera to capture moments with ...

42x optical zoom lens ; Simple operation and clean layout

No electronic viewfinder ; LCD screen lacks a hinge

Mar, 2015
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Expert review by : Digit Digital Cameras Kunal Khullar (digit.in)

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Review

 

There are a range of bridge cameras in the market today and the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS feels like just another addition. However the performance of the camera is quite impressive, especially the 42x zoom capability. This is a great camera for...

Wide focal length range ; Good noise reduction and focusing speed

Misses a few features from the previous version ; Unimpressive Auto mode

Feb, 2015
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