• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1008.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GF3X advantages over Canon SX520 HS

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX520 HS advantages over Panasonic GF3X

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF3X

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX520 HS
Canon SX520 HS

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3X
Panasonic GF2
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GF3X vs Panasonic GF2

Canon SX520 HS
Panasonic GF2
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic GF2

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF3X
Olympus E-PM1
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF3X vs Olympus E-PM1

Canon SX520 HS
Olympus E-PM1
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF3X
Panasonic GF5
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range

Compare Panasonic GF3X vs Panasonic GF5

Canon SX520 HS
Panasonic GF5
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More pixels
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Panasonic GF3X
Canon SX530 HS
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $479
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Panasonic GF3X vs 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

Compared to Canon SX540 HS

Panasonic GF3X
Canon SX540 HS
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Panasonic GF3X vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?