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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Older Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX530 HS
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2014
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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was introduced 7 months after the SZ8 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the SX520 HS scores versus the SZ8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Panasonic SZ8

 SX520 HS SZ8 
AnnouncedJuly 2014January 2014Newer by 7 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Canon SX520 HS

 SZ8 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic SZ8

 SX520 HS SZ8 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX520 HS offers physical dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ8 has sizing of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic SZ8 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the SX520 HS vs the SZ8.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX520 HS and SZ8 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by checking specs. The image below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX520 HS and SZ8.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact MP therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures but you should always factor the age of the products into consideration. The more recent SX520 HS is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography info
44
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports face detection focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
34
decent MP (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography factors
46
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography details
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography details
45
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (210 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
33
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
55
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
long reach (1008mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery (210 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
67
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography info
45
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery (210 shots)
no Timelapse mode
41
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
29
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external microphone port
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic SZ8
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2014-07-29 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4+ Venus Engine
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 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 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focusing range 0cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
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) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 441 gr (0.97 lb) 159 gr (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 photographs 200 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 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
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $219 $275