• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1008.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Canon SX520 HS advantages over Nikon Z fc

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Nikon Z fc advantages over Canon SX520 HS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.22 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    3 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.9 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX520 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z fc

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-820UZ

Canon SX520 HS
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video
Nikon Z fc
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $957
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX520 HS
Canon SX530 HS
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon Z fc
Canon SX530 HS
  • $957
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon SX540 HS

Canon SX520 HS
Canon SX540 HS
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon Z fc
Canon SX540 HS
  • $957
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Fujifilm X-T200

Canon SX520 HS
Fujifilm X-T200
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z fc
Fujifilm X-T200
  • $957
  • APS-C
  • Newer
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon Z 30

Canon SX520 HS
Nikon Z 30
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Nikon Z fc
Nikon Z 30
  • $957
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Thinner
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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