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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 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
  • Announced July 2014
  • Old Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX530 HS
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic SZ7, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is fairly close and both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was released 2 years later than the SZ7 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the SX520 HS scores against the SZ7 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Panasonic SZ7

 SX520 HS SZ7 
AnnouncedJuly 2014January 2012Fresher by 32 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display resolution461k460kSharper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Canon SX520 HS

 SZ7 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic SZ7

 SX520 HS SZ7 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX520 HS has got external dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ7 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic SZ7 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX520 HS and the SZ7.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX520 HS and SZ7 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by viewing specifications. The photograph below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and SZ7.

To sum up, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SX520 HS to render greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The younger SX520 HS provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography details
Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography details
44
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX520 HS
Street photography with Panasonic SZ7
46
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (133 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Sports photography camera
45
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (210 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
43
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Travel photography camera
55
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1008mm)
no Timelapse function
bad battery (210 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
70
lighter than competitors in class (133 grams)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Landscape photography camera
45
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery (210 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
42
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX520 HS
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ7
29
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone socket
35
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (133 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no external mic socket
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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic SZ7
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-07-29 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 0cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.50 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 441g (0.97 lb) 133g (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 shots 220 shots
Style 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 One One
Launch price $219 $199