• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1008.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX520 HS advantages over Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GX85 advantages over Canon SX520 HS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 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
    ~ 3.77 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 290 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    347k 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX520 HS
Canon SX520 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX85
Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-32mm and 45-150mm lenses (Black)
  • Kit with 12-32mm lens (Silver)
All GX85 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent build-quality; Good ergonomics for its size; Built-in 5-axis Dual IS, Built-in EVF; Tilting LCD touchscreen monitor; Competitive still image quality; Excellent 4K video quality; Fast autofocus and burst modes; Generous buffers; Tons of advanced features; Built-in Wi-Fi.

  • EVF could be better; Sluggish RAW and RAW+JPEG buffer clearing; No external mic and headphone jacks; Slow x-sync speed; Mediocre battery life.

  • Read our Panasonic GX85 Review

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

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Panasonic GX85
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX520 HS
Canon SX530 HS
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $479
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX530 HS

Panasonic GX85
Canon SX530 HS
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $479
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Canon SX530 HS

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

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS

Panasonic GX85
Canon SX540 HS
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Canon SX540 HS

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Canon SX520 HS
Olympus E-PL8
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL8

Panasonic GX85
Olympus E-PL8
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Canon SX520 HS
Olympus E-PL9
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL9

Panasonic GX85
Olympus E-PL9
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Olympus E-PL9

Compare Other Cameras?