• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1000.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon P520 advantages over Canon G3X

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,000 mm vs 600 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Lighter weight
    550g vs 739g
    Lighter weight
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon G3X advantages over Nikon P520

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 921k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon P520

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Buy the Canon G3X
Canon G3X
All G3X Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Good overall optical performance from the 24-600mm eq. lens; Very good image quality and high ISO performance for this class, especially with RAW; Lots of external controls; Comfortable grip; Shoots 1080/60p video; Includes both mic and headphone jack, Focus peaking for video; Clean HDMI.

  • No built-in EVF; Mediocre AF speeds; Sluggish burst rate with RAW/RAW+JPG and with servo AF; Below average battery life; No 4K video unlike competitors.

  • Read our Canon G3X Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P510

Nikon P520
Nikon P510
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon P520 vs Nikon P510

Canon G3X
Nikon P510
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon G3X vs Nikon P510

Compared to Nikon P530

Nikon P520
Nikon P530
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Nikon P520 vs Nikon P530

Canon G3X
Nikon P530
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon G3X vs Nikon P530

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Nikon P520
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Canon G3X
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G3X vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Nikon P520
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon P520 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Canon G3X
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G3X vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Nikon L840

Nikon P520
Nikon L840
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P520 vs Nikon L840

Canon G3X
Nikon L840
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G3X vs Nikon L840

Compare Other Cameras?