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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ70

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 front
Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ70 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
  • Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
  • Renewed by Canon SX530 HS
Panasonic FZ70
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 20-1200mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 606g - 130 x 97 x 118mm
  • Revealed July 2013
Photography Glossary

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ70 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic FZ70, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the FZ70 (16MP) is relatively similar and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was brought out 13 months after the FZ70 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the SX520 HS matches up versus the FZ70 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Panasonic FZ70

 SX520 HS FZ70 
RevealedJuly 2014July 2013More modern by 13 months
Screen resolution461k460kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ70 over the Canon SX520 HS

 FZ70 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic FZ70

 SX520 HS FZ70 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ70 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX520 HS has outside measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ70 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 118mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 4.6") with a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic FZ70 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the SX520 HS against the FZ70.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ70 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX520 HS and FZ70 is 69 and 63 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ70 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ70 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading specifications. The pic here will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX520 HS and FZ70.

Plainly, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact MP therefore you should expect similar quality of pictures however you should always consider the production date of the products into consideration. The more recent SX520 HS should have an edge in sensor tech.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ70 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ70 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FZ70 Portrait photography advice
44
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
56
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX520 HS
Street photography with Panasonic FZ70
46
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
49
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (606 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography factors
Panasonic FZ70 Sports photography factors
45
great zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (210 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
55
excellent zoom range (20-1200mm 60.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
supports tracking focus
great battery life (400 per charge)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography information
Panasonic FZ70 Travel photography information
55
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (1008mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (210 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.4)
55
great battery life (400 CIPA)
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (20mm)
long reach (1200mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (606g)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FZ70 Landscape photography factors
45
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery power (210 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
54
manual focus
relatively wide (20mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (400 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging info
Panasonic FZ70 Vlogging info
29
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic socket
26
relatively wide (20mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (606 grams)
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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic FZ70
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-07-29 2013-07-18
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4+ Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 20-1200mm (60.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT Screen LCD Display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 202 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 13.50 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (50i/60i, 25p/30p), 1280 x 720p (50p/60p or 25p/30p), 640 x 480 (25p/30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 441g (0.97 pounds) 606g (1.34 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 130 x 97 x 118mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 4.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 41
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 19.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 171
Other
Battery life 210 images 400 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $219 $300