• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 336.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic ZS8 advantages over Canon 520 HS

  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 vs 190 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Less shutter lag
    0.24 vs 0.34 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 520 HS advantages over Panasonic ZS8

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 33 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    155g vs 210g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.8 fps vs 1.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS8

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 520 HS
Canon ELPH 520 HS
All 520 HS Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Compact 12x zoom; Optical image stabilization; Full HD movies; Handheld Night Scene mode; Good shutter lag time.

  • Uses microSD media; Short battery life; Flash is weak; Soft at telephoto; Tiny buttons.

  • Read our Canon 520 HS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Panasonic ZS8
Panasonic ZS10
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Panasonic ZS10

Canon 520 HS
Panasonic ZS10
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Panasonic ZS10

Compared to Canon 510 HS

Panasonic ZS8
Canon 510 HS
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Canon 510 HS

Canon 520 HS
Canon 510 HS
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More pixels

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Canon 510 HS

Compared to Panasonic ZS15

Panasonic ZS8
Panasonic ZS15
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Panasonic ZS15

Canon 520 HS
Panasonic ZS15
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Panasonic ZS15

Compared to Canon 530 HS

Panasonic ZS8
Canon 530 HS
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Canon 530 HS

Canon 520 HS
Canon 530 HS
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Canon 530 HS

Compared to Sony H90

Panasonic ZS8
Sony H90
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony H90

Canon 520 HS
Sony H90
  • $372
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 520 HS vs Sony H90

Compare Other Cameras?