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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic LZ20 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
  • Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
  • Renewed by Canon SX530 HS
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Renewed by Panasonic LZ30
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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Canon SX520 HS versus Panasonic LZ20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the LZ20 (16MP) is very well matched and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was announced 2 years later than the LZ20 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SX520 HS matches up against the LZ20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Panasonic LZ20

 SX520 HS LZ20 
RevealedJuly 2014July 2012More recent by 25 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Canon SX520 HS

 LZ20 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic LZ20

 SX520 HS LZ20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX520 HS enjoys exterior 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) and the Panasonic LZ20 has measurements of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check the Canon SX520 HS versus Panasonic LZ20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SX520 HS against the LZ20.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX520 HS and LZ20 is 69 and 71 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by reading through specs. The photograph below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX520 HS and LZ20.

All in all, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels and you should expect similar quality of images but you will want to take the release date of the products into consideration. The younger SX520 HS is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography factors
Panasonic LZ20 Portrait photography factors
44
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
provides face detect focus
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
36
good megapixels (16MP)
includes face detection focus
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography features
Panasonic LZ20 Street photography features
46
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition (499g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX520 HS
Sports photography with Panasonic LZ20
45
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (210 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
47
incredible zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (380 CIPA)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography info
Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography info
55
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (1008mm)
missing Timelapse function
low battery pack (210 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.4)
58
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (525mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (499g)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography details
Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography details
45
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery pack (210 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
45
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX520 HS
Vlogging with Panasonic LZ20
29
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing microphone jack
25
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
heavier than competition (499g)
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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic LZ20
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2014-07-29 2012-07-18
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focus distance 0cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.50 m 6.80 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 441 gr (0.97 pounds) 499 gr (1.10 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 images 380 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $219 $250