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Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL7

Portability
69
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL7 front
Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
81
Overall
64

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL7 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
  • Introduced July 2014
  • Older Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX530 HS
Olympus E-PL7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Launched September 2014
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL6
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL8
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Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL7 Overview

Here is a thorough review of the Canon SX520 HS versus Olympus E-PL7, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the E-PL7 (16MP) is very similar but the SX520 HS (1/2.3") and E-PL7 (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SX520 HS was brought out around the same time to the E-PL7 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Olympus E-PL7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SX520 HS matches up versus the E-PL7 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Olympus E-PL7

 SX520 HS E-PL7 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL7 over the Canon SX520 HS

 E-PL7 SX520 HS 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k461kClearer display (+576k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Olympus E-PL7

 SX520 HS E-PL7 
LaunchedJuly 2014September 2014Similar generation
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL7 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX520 HS has outer dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL7 has specifications of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX520 HS versus Olympus E-PL7 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the SX520 HS vs the E-PL7.

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL7 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX520 HS and E-PL7 is 69 and 86 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL7 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL7 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX520 HS and E-PL7.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count but not the same sensor sizing. The SX520 HS has got the tinier sensor which will make getting bokeh harder.

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL7 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL7 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography features
Olympus E-PL7 Portrait photography features
44
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
72
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX520 HS
Street photography with Olympus E-PL7
47
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
84
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography details
Olympus E-PL7 Sports photography details
45
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (210 shots)
no phase detect AF
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography features
Olympus E-PL7 Travel photography features
55
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
85
includes touch focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PL7 Landscape photography factors
46
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery pack (210 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
80
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging details
Olympus E-PL7 Vlogging details
29
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
does not have a selfie friendly display
missing external mic support
78
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
no external mic port
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Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Olympus E-PL7
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSOlympus PEN E-PL7
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Olympus PEN E-PL7
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-07-29 2014-09-01
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4+ TruePic VII
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 81
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.0 -
Macro focusing range 0cm -
Number of lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.50 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 441 gr (0.97 lb) 357 gr (0.79 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 873
Other
Battery life 210 pictures 350 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH BLS-50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Retail price $219 $499