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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ80

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 front
Portability
63
Imaging
43
Features
62
Overall
50

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ80 Key Specs

Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.4-6.0) lens
  • 441g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Released July 2014
  • Superseded the Canon SX510 HS
  • Renewed by Canon SX530 HS
Panasonic FZ80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 20-1200mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 616g - 130 x 94 x 119mm
  • Launched January 2017
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ82
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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ80 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic FZ80, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the FZ80 (18MP) is very close and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX520 HS was introduced 3 years prior to the FZ80 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ80 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the SX520 HS matches up versus the FZ80 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Panasonic FZ80

 SX520 HS FZ80 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ80 over the Canon SX520 HS

 FZ80 SX520 HS 
LaunchedJanuary 2017July 2014More recent by 29 months
Display resolution1040k461kSharper display (+579k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic FZ80

 SX520 HS FZ80 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ80 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX520 HS has got outside dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ80 has dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7") and a weight of 616 grams (1.36 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic FZ80 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX520 HS and the FZ80.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ80 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX520 HS and FZ80 is 69 and 63 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ80 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ80 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements only by viewing technical specs. The photograph below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and FZ80.

As you have seen, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic FZ80 to render more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older SX520 HS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ80 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ80 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX520 HS
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ80
44
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
57
you can focus manually
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography information
Panasonic FZ80 Street photography information
46
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
54
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
offers touch to focus
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
more heavy than others (616 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FZ80 Sports photography highlights
45
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
has tracking focus
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
57
incredible zoom range (20-1200mm 60.0 x zoom)
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography advice
Panasonic FZ80 Travel photography advice
55
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery life (210 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
58
offers touch to focus
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (20mm)
great reach (1200mm)
more heavy than others (616g)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography info
Panasonic FZ80 Landscape photography info
45
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
56
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (20mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FZ80 Vlogging highlights
29
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
28
reasonably wide (20mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
more heavy than others (616 grams)
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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic FZ80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic FZ80
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-FZ82
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2014-07-29 2017-01-04
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4+ Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-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 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 49
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 20-1200mm (60.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 14.10 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, 1st Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 441g (0.97 lb) 616g (1.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 130 x 94 x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 images 330 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 images x 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $219 $399