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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX720 HS

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
Portability
89
Imaging
47
Features
51
Overall
48

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Superseded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX720 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20.3MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-960mm (F3.3-6.9) lens
  • 270g - 110 x 64 x 36mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Older Model is Canon SX710 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX730 HS
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Overview

Here is a in depth assessment of the Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX720 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both of them are produced by Canon. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and SX720 HS (20.3MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was introduced 6 years prior to the SX720 HS and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Canon SX720 HS being a Compact camera.

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the SX20 IS matches up vs the SX720 HS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Canon SX720 HS

 SX20 IS SX720 HS 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Canon SX20 IS

 SX720 HS SX20 IS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016July 2010Fresher by 68 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX720 HS

 SX20 IS SX720 HS 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX20 IS has outside dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Canon SX720 HS has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX720 HS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SX20 IS versus the SX720 HS.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX720 HS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and SX720 HS is 65 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX720 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to see the difference between sensor sizing just by checking specifications. The visual below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and SX720 HS.

To sum up, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Canon SX720 HS to give extra detail using its extra 8.3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older SX20 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX720 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Canon SX720 HS
37
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
48
focusing manually
good resolution (20.3MP)
has face detect focus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography factors
Canon SX720 HS Street photography factors
49
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competition (600g)
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (270g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography advice
Canon SX720 HS Sports photography advice
34
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
48
incredible zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20.3 megapixels)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.9 frames/s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (250 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography highlights
Canon SX720 HS Travel photography highlights
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
rather wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (600 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than others (270g)
good resolution (20.3MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (960mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (250 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography features
Canon SX720 HS Landscape photography features
35
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
50
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20.3MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery power (250 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
Vlogging with Canon SX720 HS
50
rather wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (600g)
35
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (270 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX720 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISCanon PowerShot SX720 HS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX720 HS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-06 2016-02-18
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 DIGIC 6
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20.3 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-960mm (40.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-6.9
Macro focusing distance 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/3200s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 5.9 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, on, off, slow synchro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 gr (1.32 lbs) 270 gr (0.60 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NB-13L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $500 $379