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Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX720 HS

Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
Portability
89
Imaging
46
Features
51
Overall
48

Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX720 HS Key Specs

Canon SX540 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 442g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Revealed 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
  • Released February 2016
  • Replaced the Canon SX710 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX730 HS
Photography Glossary

Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX720 HS Overview

Its time to look closer at the Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX720 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both offered by Canon. The image resolution of the SX540 HS (20MP) and the SX720 HS (20.3MP) is pretty similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX540 HS was announced within a month of the SX720 HS and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Canon SX720 HS being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SX540 HS matches up against the SX720 HS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Canon SX720 HS

 SX540 HS SX720 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Canon SX540 HS

 SX720 HS SX540 HS 
Screen resolution922k461kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Canon SX720 HS

 SX540 HS SX720 HS 
ReleasedJanuary 2016February 2016Similar generation
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX720 HS Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SX540 HS comes with exterior measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Canon SX720 HS has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX720 HS in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SX540 HS and the SX720 HS.

Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX720 HS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX540 HS and SX720 HS is 69 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX720 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX720 HS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions just by reviewing technical specs. The image here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SX540 HS and SX720 HS.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Canon SX720 HS to deliver more detail with its extra 0.3MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX720 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX720 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX720 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography advice
Canon SX720 HS Portrait photography advice
47
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
features face detect focusing
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
47
you can focus manually
decent MP (20.3MP)
provides face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Street photography highlights
Canon SX720 HS Street photography highlights
48
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (270 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX720 HS as a Sports photography camera
44
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.9 fps)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (205 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
48
excellent zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20.3 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
low frames per second (5.9 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (250 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Travel photography advice
Canon SX720 HS Travel photography advice
56
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (1200mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (205 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
67
lighter than others (270 grams)
decent MP (20.3 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (960mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (250 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX540 HS
Landscape photography with Canon SX720 HS
48
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery pack (205 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
50
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20.3 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery pack (250 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX540 HS
Vlogging with Canon SX720 HS
29
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
34
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (270 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
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Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX720 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Canon SX720 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSCanon PowerShot SX720 HS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Canon PowerShot SX720 HS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-01-05 2016-02-18
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 6 DIGIC 6
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 20.3 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 24-960mm (40.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.3-6.9
Macro focus range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/3200 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.9 frames/s 5.9 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, on, off, slow synchro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 442g (0.97 lbs) 270g (0.60 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 205 pictures 250 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH NB-13L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $399 $379