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Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-M5

Portability
69 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
Portability
81 Imaging
52 Features
70 Overall
59

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-M5 Key Specs

Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.4-6.0) lens
  • 441g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Announced July 2014
  • Old Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX530 HS
Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Successor is Olympus E-M5 II
Photography Glossary

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-M5 Overview

Below is a extensive comparison of the Canon SX520 HS versus Olympus E-M5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the E-M5 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the SX520 HS (1/2.3") and E-M5 (Four Thirds) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The SX520 HS was manufactured 2 years later than the E-M5 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SX520 HS matches up against the E-M5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Olympus E-M5

		

		

			
 SX520 HS E-M5 
AnnouncedJuly 2014April 2012More recent by 28 months
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Canon SX520 HS

		

		

			
 E-M5 SX520 HS 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution610k461kCrisper screen (+149k dot)
Touch screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Olympus E-M5

		

		

			
 SX520 HS E-M5 
Manual focus  Dial precise focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen  Neither provides selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-M5 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX520 HS provides external measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Olympus E-M5 has dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs).
Look at the Canon SX520 HS versus Olympus E-M5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SX520 HS against the E-M5.
Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-M5 size comparison
Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX520 HS and E-M5 is 69 and 81 respectively.
Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-M5 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-M5 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
In many cases, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor measurements purely by checking out specifications. The photograph here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX520 HS and E-M5.
To sum up, both cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The SX520 HS features the smaller sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field trickier. The fresher SX520 HS should have an advantage in sensor tech.
	
			Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-M5 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography information
Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography information
44
 has manual focus
 decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
 includes face detection autofocus
 cannot use external flash
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
71
 focusing manually
 good  resolution (16 megapixels)
 nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
 provides face detect autofocus
 delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison
Street photography with Canon SX520 HS
Street photography with Olympus E-M5
46
 image stabilization (Optical)
 screen is fixed
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
82
 screen tilts
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
 delivers RAW files
 has focus via touch
 weather proofing
 very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison
Canon SX520 HS Sports photography information
Olympus E-M5 Sports photography information
45
 excellent zoom range (24-1008mm  42.0 x zoom)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent sensor resolution (16MP)
 includes tracking autofocus
 continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 bad battery life (210 CIPA)
 does not have phase detect autofocus
67
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 good  resolution (16 megapixels)
 nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
 provides tracking focus
 weather proofing
 lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
 Canon SX520 HS as a Travel photography camera
 Olympus E-M5 as a Travel photography camera
55
 decent sensor resolution (16MP)
 built-in flash
 really wide (24mm)
 very long zoom (1008mm)
 missing Time Lapse recording
 bad battery life (210 CIPA)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
66
 weather proofing
 has focus via touch
 good  resolution (16MP)
 does not have Timelapse recording
 does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Canon SX520 HS
Landscape photography with Olympus E-M5
45
 has manual focus
 really wide (24mm)
 screen size is decent (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
 bad battery life (210 CIPA)
 missing Time Lapse recording
73
 focusing manually
 interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen is a good size (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 good  resolution (16MP)
 nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
 very good ISO range (25,600)
 delivers RAW files
 weather proofing
 does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison
Canon SX520 HS Vlogging factors
Olympus E-M5 Vlogging factors
29
 really wide (24mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 includes face detection autofocus
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 missing external mic socket
34
 built-in touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 provides face detect autofocus
 good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 does not feature selfie friendly display
 does not have microphone port
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Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-M5 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Olympus E-M5
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSOlympus OM-D E-M5
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Olympus OM-D E-M5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2014-07-29 2012-04-30
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4+ TruePic VI
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos    
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch focus    
AF continuous    
Single AF    
Tracking AF    
AF selectice    
AF center weighted    
Multi area AF    
Live view AF    
Face detect focusing    
Contract detect focusing    
Phase detect focusing    
Number of focus points 9 35
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.4-6.0 -
Macro focus range 0cm -
Total lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461k dot 610k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch screen    
Display tech - Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.58x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt flash    
Flash range 5.50 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack    
Headphone jack    
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 441 gr (0.97 lbs) 425 gr (0.94 lbs)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 71
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.3
DXO Low light score not tested 826
Other
Battery life 210 photographs 360 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording    
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $219 $799