CameraLore
Side-by-side comparison

Canon Digital IXUS II
vs Canon PowerShot A520

Archive illustration for Canon Digital IXUS II

Canon / 2003

Digital IXUS II

Full specifications
VS
Archive illustration for Canon PowerShot A520

Canon / 2005

PowerShot A520

Full specifications

Sensor area

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21 mm²
Digital IXUS II
25 mm²
PowerShot A520
Area ratio
1.17:1
Absolute difference
4 mm²
Relative difference
16.5%

The PowerShot A520 has the larger sensor area. More area usually means greater light-gathering potential, though real image quality still depends on sensor architecture and generation.

These cameras were released 2 years apart. Consider sensor generation when comparing pixel metrics.

Key specification differences

Digital IXUS IIMetricPowerShot A520
3.1 MPEffective pixels3.9 MP
5.33 × 4Sensor5.75 × 4.32
2.62 µmPixel pitch2.52 µm
6.88 µm²Pixel area6.37 µm²
14.54 MP/cm²Pixel density15.7 MP/cm²
6.49Crop factor6.02
—Maximum video—
185 gWeight180 g
SD/MMC cardStorageMultiMedia, Secure Digital
Canon Lithium-Ion Li-ion batteryBatteryAA (2) batteries (NiMH recommended)

Amber marks the value that is generally preferable in this comparison context. It is not an overall camera score.

How to choose between these cameras

The PowerShot A520 has the larger sensor area. The PowerShot A520 has the lighter body. The PowerShot A520 has the higher effective resolution. The PowerShot A520 is the newer release. Also consider the lens system and subjects you shoot.

Reasons to choose Digital IXUS II

Released in 2003, Digital IXUS II has about 21 mm² of sensor area, 3.1 MP effective resolution, and a 185 g body. Use these values to narrow the field, not as an overall image-quality score.

Reasons to choose PowerShot A520

Released in 2005, PowerShot A520 has about 25 mm² of sensor area, 3.9 MP effective resolution, and a 180 g body. Use these values to narrow the field, not as an overall image-quality score.

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