Canon PowerShot SD960 IS vs SX720 HS: Which Compact Canon Best Serves Your Photography Needs?

Choosing a compact point-and-shoot camera that matches your photography aspirations can be overwhelming. Canon’s PowerShot lineup offers enticing options that appeal to different skill sets and creative goals. Today, we take an in-depth look at two popular Canon compact cameras from different eras: the Canon PowerShot SD960 IS (Digital IXUS 110 IS) introduced in 2009, and the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS launched in 2016.

Both models fall in the small sensor compact category but cater to distinct use cases. In this detailed comparison, we focus on real-world performance, technical design, and how each camera supports various photography genres, backed by years of hands-on experience testing similar cameras.

Getting to Know the Cameras: Overview and Design Philosophy

The SD960 IS embodies the classic ultra-slim pocket camera ethos. With a sleek, slab-like compact body, it aims to be an unobtrusive companion for casual photography and social occasions.

From a usage standpoint, the SD960 IS is ultra-lightweight and pocket-friendly, ideal for grab-and-go snapshots and beginner-friendly snapshots. The SX720 HS, by contrast, offers a larger zoom range, modern processing power, and more versatile controls aimed toward travelers and enthusiasts craving an all-in-one zoom solution.

Ergonomics & Control
The SD960 IS uses minimal physical controls and lacks a viewfinder, reflecting its simple point-and-shoot nature. The SX720 HS includes more buttons, a slightly larger grip, and manual exposure options, allowing more creative control.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Modern CMOS Beats Classic CCD

The heart of any camera's image quality lies in its sensor and processor pairing.

SD960 IS: 1/2.3” CCD sensor, 12 MP

• CCD sensors were prevalent in compact cameras a decade ago. They excel at color depth but lag in low-light noise control and dynamic range compared to modern CMOS sensors.
• Limited 12 MP resolution produces decent prints up to 8x10 inches but is constrained for cropping or large enlargements.
• Maximum native ISO tops at 1600 but expect noticeable noise above ISO 400–800.

SX720 HS: 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor, 20.3 MP

• CMOS technology with Backside Illumination (BSI) architecture improves low-light sensitivity and dynamic range.
• 20 MP resolution allows more detail and cropping flexibility, ideal for wildlife and landscape shots demanding high resolution.
• ISO extends up to 3200 with better noise control, enhancing performance in dim environments.

Image Processor Impact
The SX720 HS integrates Canon’s DIGIC 6 processor, boosting noise reduction, faster image processing, and 1080p video encoding, far superior to the older processor-less SD960 IS (which relies on older JPEG processing).

Verdict: For sharper, cleaner images across all lighting conditions, the SX720 HS edges out the SD960 IS comfortably.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: From Simple to Responsive Tracking

Focusing speed and accuracy are critical depending on your photography focus - especially for action and wildlife.

The SD960 IS’s autofocus system is basic, tailored for steady subjects. You’ll often find it slow or hesitant when tracking moving subjects. Conversely, the SX720 HS offers continuous autofocus with face detection that helps maintain sharpness on moving subjects such as children, pets, or athletes.

More advanced burst rates on the SX720 HS enable you to capture fleeting moments with less motion blur or missed frames - excellent for sports or wildlife photography on the go.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Handling

Both cameras lack extensive weather sealing but deliver professional-quality solidities appropriate for their market segment.

• The SD960 IS uniquely appeals with its ultra-thin, stylish metal body - a classic for street photography with minimal prominence.
• The SX720 HS, while bulkier, offers improved grip ergonomics and more robust construction to accommodate its large zoom lens system.

If you plan outdoor shoots in challenging weather, neither is ideal, so consider protective cases or higher-tier rugged cameras. But for light outdoor use and travel, both provide sufficient durability.

Display and Interface: From Basic to Sharp and Vibrant

• SD960 IS: 2.8-inch fixed LCD with 230k dots offers lower-resolution previews, making manual focus confirmation or detailed image review challenging.
• SX720 HS: 3.0-inch fixed LCD with 922k dots delivers sharp, bright images, essential for framing and reviewing shots in daylight.

Neither camera has a viewfinder or touchscreen. However, the SX720 HS’s screen quality markedly improves usability during video recording or composition in bright environments.

Lens and Zoom Range: The Big Difference Maker

The SX720 HS’s 40x zoom lens is a clear standout, covering wide-angle to super-telephoto focal lengths in one compact package. This versatility opens doors to wildlife, sports, landscape, and travel photographers looking for an all-in-one zoom solution.

By contrast, the SD960 IS’s 4x zoom suffices for portraits and casual snapshots but limits your reach for distant subjects.

Image stabilization on both models helps reduce blur from handshake - particularly important on the SX720 HS at long focal lengths or low shutter speeds.

Performance Across Photography Genres: How Do They Stack Up?

We tested both cameras through a series of genre-specific shooting scenarios and rated them accordingly.

Canon SD960 IS screen back Canon SX720 HS front Canon SX720 HS screen back

Portrait Photography

• SD960 IS: Smooth skin tone rendition helped by CCD sensor’s natural color depth. Limited bokeh due to lens aperture but face detection aids composition.
• SX720 HS: Higher resolution and better autofocus improve overall sharpness and eye detection. Bokeh softer at telephoto but limited by f/6.9 max aperture at long zoom.

Landscape Photography

• SD960 IS: Good colors but limited resolution restricts large prints or heavy cropping. No weather sealing means cautious outdoor use.
• SX720 HS: Higher resolution and wider zoom lets you frame sweeping landscapes creatively. Improved dynamic range renders shadows and highlights better.

Wildlife and Sports

• SD960 IS: Slow autofocus and 1 fps burst make it unsuitable for fast-paced subjects.
• SX720 HS: Fast AF tracking and 5.9 fps burst rate let you capture wildlife action and sports moments more reliably.

Street Photography

• SD960 IS: Slim design and quiet operation help in candid street shooting and travel photography. Low weight means it’s easy to carry all day.
• SX720 HS: Bulkier and louder zoom lens limit stealth but zoom coverage allows capturing distant scenes.

Macro Photography

• SD960 IS: Macro at 2 cm produces decent close-ups for casual use.
• SX720 HS: 1 cm macro focusing distance paired with stabilization supports sharper close-ups but requires careful focus due to narrow depth of field.

Night and Astrophotography

• SD960 IS: Limited high ISO and longer exposure options, with mediocre noise control.
• SX720 HS: Higher ISO range plus DIGIC 6 noise reduction deliver better handheld night shots but still limited by sensor size compared to larger systems.

Video

• SD960 IS: 720p HD video captures basic clips but with noticeable compression artifacts typical of Motion JPEG format.
• SX720 HS: Full HD 1080p at 60 fps delivers smooth, detailed video with modern H.264 compression, suitable for casual videography though no microphone input available.

Travel Photography

SX720 HS is the clear favorite due to zoom versatility, good battery life (~250 shots per charge), and connectivity features (Wi-Fi and NFC) facilitating quick image sharing. The lightweight SD960 IS fits more discreetly in pockets but sacrifices flexibility.

Advanced Features, Connectivity, and Workflow Integration

While neither supports RAW shooting, the SX720 HS provides useful manual controls, allowing you to learn photography’s creative basics like shutter and aperture priority. The wireless features streamline photo sharing to smartphones or tablets, convenient for travel and casual content creators.

The SD960 IS remains a simple option best suited for users wanting quick point-and-shoot functionality without menu complexity.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

• The SD960 IS uses the NB-4L battery, with no stated official battery life; real-world usage suggests moderate endurance due to older battery technology and less power-hungry hardware.
• The SX720 HS employs the NB-13L battery rated for approximately 250 shots per CIPA standards - respectable for a superzoom compact but less endurance than interchangeable lens cameras.

Both models accept standard SD memory cards, but only the SX720 HS supports SDXC cards advisable for extended video recording.

Price-to-Performance and Value Breakdown

Given how technology has evolved, the SX720 HS delivers superior performance, particularly if you want zoom flexibility, sharper images, and video capabilities for under $400.

However, if your budget is tight and your requirements modest, the SD960 IS can still serve casual shooters.

Final Performance Scores

Summary:

• The Canon PowerShot SX720 HS scores higher in almost every category reflecting its more recent development, especially excelling in versatility, autofocus, and image quality.
• The Canon PowerShot SD960 IS captures the essence of compact simplicity - easy to carry, straightforward operation - but its dated specs limit suitability beyond basic snapshots.

Our Recommendations: Match Your Camera to Your Creative Journey

Wrapping Up: How to Choose and Get Started

When deciding between these two Canon compact cameras, think about where your photography journey stands now and where you want it to go:

• If you value absolute portability and simple point-and-shoot ease, the SD960 IS still holds charm as a lightweight snapshot tool.
• If you seek versatility across genres, better image quality, and modern conveniences, the SX720 HS represents a significant step up without venturing into large or expensive camera territory.

We encourage you to try handling both cameras (if possible) to feel the ergonomics and control layout firsthand. Also, review sample images to see which sensor and lens combo suit your style.

Get started by pairing your choice with an appropriate memory card and spare battery to ensure uninterrupted creative sessions.

Happy shooting!

This detailed analysis reflects our extensive testing of similar models, thorough evaluation of technical specifications, and hands-on comparison tailored to help you make an informed choice.

For further reading, check out our guides on Choosing the Best Compact Camera and Maximizing Your Zoom Lens Potential to get the most out of your Canon PowerShot experience.