• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1008.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GF5 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 330 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • 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
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX520 HS advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF5
Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Kit with 14-42mm Power Lens
All GF5 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX520 HS
Canon SX520 HS

Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • Read our Panasonic GF5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Canon SX520 HS
Olympus E-PL3
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF5 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 GF3X

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

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Canon SX520 HS
Panasonic GF3X
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Panasonic GF5
Canon SX530 HS
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $479
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 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 GF5
Canon SX540 HS
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 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?