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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
69
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ3 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
  • Released July 2014
  • Succeeded the Canon SX510 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX530 HS
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Canon SX520 HS versus Panasonic SZ3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is pretty close and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was launched 19 months later than the SZ3 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SX520 HS matches up vs the SZ3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Panasonic SZ3

 SX520 HS SZ3 
AnnouncedJuly 2014January 2013Fresher by 19 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Canon SX520 HS

 SZ3 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic SZ3

 SX520 HS SZ3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX520 HS has got external dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has proportions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX520 HS versus Panasonic SZ3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX520 HS versus the SZ3.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX520 HS and SZ3 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching a spec sheet. The graphic below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX520 HS and SZ3.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures though you will want to consider the age of the cameras into account. The more modern SX520 HS should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography advice
44
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
30
good resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography information
47
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography features
45
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (210 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
41
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography information
55
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery power (210 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
71
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
46
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery power (210 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
39
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging details
29
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic jack
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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic SZ3
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-07-29 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 0cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.50 m 4.10 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 441 gr (0.97 pounds) 126 gr (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos 250 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $219 $150