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Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX720 HS

Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
Portability
89
Imaging
47
Features
51
Overall
48

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Introduced January 2016
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
  • Launched February 2016
  • Old Model is Canon SX710 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX730 HS
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Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Canon SX420 IS and Canon SX720 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both built by Canon. The resolution of the SX420 IS (20MP) and the SX720 HS (20.3MP) is pretty close and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX420 IS was released within a month of the SX720 HS and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Canon SX720 HS being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SX420 IS matches up versus the SX720 HS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Canon SX720 HS

 SX420 IS SX720 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Canon SX420 IS

 SX720 HS SX420 IS 
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Canon SX720 HS

 SX420 IS SX720 HS 
LaunchedJanuary 2016February 2016Same generation
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX420 IS has got outside dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Canon SX720 HS has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") having a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs).

Check the Canon SX420 IS and Canon SX720 HS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the SX420 IS versus the SX720 HS.

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX720 HS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX420 IS and SX720 HS is 80 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX720 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through specs. The image underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX420 IS and SX720 HS.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should expect the Canon SX720 HS to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 0.3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots much more aggressively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX720 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX420 IS
Portrait photography with Canon SX720 HS
44
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
48
manual focus
resolution is good (20.3 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Street photography details
Canon SX720 HS Street photography details
52
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (270g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Sports photography information
Canon SX720 HS Sports photography information
41
amazing zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
max frames per second low (0.5 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (195 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
48
long zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20.3 megapixels)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (5.9 frames/s)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (250 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX420 IS
Travel photography with Canon SX720 HS
61
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1008mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (195 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
67
lighter than competitors (270g)
resolution is good (20.3MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (960mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery (250 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX720 HS as a Landscape photography camera
47
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery life (195 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
50
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20.3 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery (250 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Vlogging info
Canon SX720 HS Vlogging info
29
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
35
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (270g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic socket
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Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Canon SX720 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISCanon PowerShot SX720 HS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Canon PowerShot SX720 HS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2016-01-05 2016-02-18
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 20 megapixels 20.3 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5152 x 3864 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 24-960mm (40.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/3.3-6.9
Macro focusing distance 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/3200s
Continuous shooting rate 0.5fps 5.9fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off Auto, on, off, slow synchro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325g (0.72 lb) 270g (0.60 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 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 195 images 250 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11LH NB-13L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $299 $379