• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 336.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon 520 HS advantages over Panasonic ZS60

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    155g vs 282g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 60 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic ZS60 advantages over Canon 520 HS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 336 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 320 vs 190 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.15 vs 0.34 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.4 fps vs 2.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 520 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS60

Review Excerpt

  • Compact 12x zoom; Optical image stabilization; Full HD movies; Handheld Night Scene mode; Good shutter lag time.

  • Uses microSD media; Short battery life; Flash is weak; Soft at telephoto; Tiny buttons.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 510 HS

Canon 520 HS
Canon 510 HS
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More pixels
Panasonic ZS60
Canon 510 HS
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon 530 HS

Canon 520 HS
Canon 530 HS
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Panasonic ZS60
Canon 530 HS
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony W690

Canon 520 HS
Sony W690
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
Panasonic ZS60
Sony W690
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Canon SX720 HS

Canon 520 HS
Canon SX720 HS
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $469
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Panasonic ZS60
Canon SX720 HS
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $469
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Nikon A900

Canon 520 HS
Nikon A900
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic ZS60
Nikon A900
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
Compare Other Cameras?