Canon SX720 HS vs Olympus FE-47: A Hands-On Comparison for the Budget-Conscious Photographer

Choosing a compact camera can feel like a journey through the bargain bin - there’s plenty on offer, but finding one that suits your needs without breaking the bank is the real challenge. Today, I’m putting two budget-friendly small-sensor compacts head-to-head: the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS and Olympus FE-47. Both target casual shooters looking for easy travel companions or introductory cameras, but they differ quite a bit under the hood and in practical use.

Having spent countless hours testing cameras of all stripes (from full-frame flagships to point-and-shoot workhorses), I’ll walk you through everything from build quality and sensor performance to ergonomics and real-world shooting. Whether you’re an enthusiast stepping up from a phone or a cheapskate hunting a solid backup, this comparison aims to save you time and money by clarifying what you’re really getting with these two models.

Let’s dive in.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: Handling Comfort vs. Pocketability

First impressions matter, and physical feel often dictates how much you’ll enjoy shooting. The Canon SX720 HS and Olympus FE-47 mostly compete on portability, but their dimensions and handling show some real differences.

The Canon SX720 HS measures 110 x 64 x 36 mm and weighs in at 270 grams, whereas the Olympus FE-47 is notably smaller and lighter at 98 x 61 x 27 mm and about 204 grams. The Olympus is a definite pocket-friendly champ, slipping into coat or pants pockets without a fuss.

That said, smaller isn’t always better. Canon’s slightly larger body provides more grip real estate - something I appreciate after long shoots, especially when using the unusually long 40x zoom lens. The SX720 HS feels like it’s made for “clubs for thumbs,” offering physical buttons and a layout less cramped than the flatter, more plasticky Olympus FE-47.

Which setup works better depends on your shooting style: if you want ultralight minimalism and absolute portability, Olympus wins. But for me, the Canon’s chunkier build and its comfortably spaced dials translate to steadier handheld shots and less thumb fatigue.

Design and Controls: Intuitive Layout vs. Basic Operation

Digging a bit deeper into design, these two diverge considerably in user interface sophistication.

The Canon SX720 HS sports dedicated exposure controls, including aperture and shutter priority modes, plus manual exposure - a rarity in this price bracket. Its DIGIC 6 processor facilitates responsive menus and quick autofocus, while physical buttons are logically organized.

In contrast, the Olympus FE-47 is very basic, with no manual exposure modes or even exposure compensation. It relies on full auto or scene presets exclusively, which restricts creative flexibility. The FE-47’s control scheme features fewer buttons and no tactile feedback; navigating through menus is often a multi-step affair due to a sluggish TruePic III processor.

If you’re an enthusiast wanting more control and faster operation, Canon’s interface feels modern and versatile. For first-timers who prefer a ‘point and shoot’ simplicity, Olympus offers an unplugged experience, albeit with some operational compromises.

Sensor and Image Quality: More Pixels and Better Sensor Technology with Canon

Both cameras share the same sensor size (1/2.3"), but that’s where their similarities end.

The Canon SX720 HS uses a 20.3MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, a technology that enhances low-light performance and dynamic range. Olympus shoots with a 14MP CCD sensor meanwhile, an older design often noted for lower sensitivity and increased noise at higher ISOs.

In practice, this means Canon’s images show more detail, better tonal gradation, and cleaner results under challenging conditions. Its max native ISO is 3200, double the FE-47’s 1600 ISO ceiling. The Canon also has an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré, a feature missing from some compact cameras but critical in preventing fine pattern artifacts.

I tested both cameras side-by-side shooting the same scenes from landscapes to indoor portraits. Across the board, Canon’s images came out sharper, with richer colors and noticeably less grain beyond ISO 800. Olympus images tended to look soft and mushy even at base ISO, and lost detail rapidly in anything but perfect light.

LCD Screen and Live View: Bigger and Clearer on Canon

Both models have fixed LCD screens, but their sizes and resolutions differ markedly.

The Canon sports a 3-inch screen with 922k-dot resolution, significantly sharper and easier to use in bright conditions. The Olympus sticks to a small 2.7-inch panel at only 230k dots, which can feel frustratingly pixelated, especially when reviewing images or framing in sunlit environments.

Neither camera offers touchscreen controls or electronic viewfinders, a limitation common in budget compacts, so live view usability rests heavily on these LCDs. Canon’s screen technology helps reduce hunting and missed shots, particularly handy given its long zoom lens where small framing errors are magnified.

Autofocus Performance: Contrast Detection with Face Detection on Canon

Autofocus reliability can make or break spontaneous shooting.

Canon SX720 HS relies on 9 focus points using contrast detection with face detection enabled - a solid setup. The Olympus uses contrast-detection AF but lacks face detection.

In practice, Canon’s system locks faster, tracks subjects better, and focuses with higher accuracy in both bright and dim conditions. Olympus without face detection struggles with moving targets and often hunts back and forth, leading to missed focus and blurry photos in low-light or high-movement scenarios.

For wildlife, portraiture, or street photography where quick, precise focus counts, Canon’s AF system is the clear winner.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: The 40x Superzoom Canon vs the Modest Olympus 5x Zoom

Most compact camera buyers are drawn in by zoom range, and here Canon flexes its muscles.

• Canon SX720 HS: 24–960mm equivalent focal range (40x zoom), max aperture f/3.3-6.9
• Olympus FE-47: 36–180mm equivalent focal range (5x zoom), max aperture f/3.5-5.6

The Canon’s whopping 40x zoom is a game-changer for travelers, wildlife photographers, and anyone who wants to get incredibly close without lugging extra glass. It covers wide-angle landscapes to distant subjects in one package, something the Olympus lacks.

The Olympus may have a slightly wider aperture at the tele end (f/5.6 vs. 6.9) but gains little practical advantage given its shorter reach. The Canon’s lens, while slower at maximum zoom, compensates with optical image stabilization that’s far more effective and necessary for handheld shots at such long focal lengths.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Shooting: Canon Pulls Ahead

Image stabilization on the Canon SX720 HS is optical and integrated into the lens, helping combat shake especially when zoomed in or shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds.

Olympus FE-47 has no image stabilization, a glaring omission that limits its usability in dim conditions or at telephoto settings. You’ll likely find yourself pushing ISO higher or using a tripod more often with Olympus, both not ideal for casual shooting.

Combined with Canon’s backside-illuminated sensor, which is better for higher ISO, the Canon SX720 HS is much more versatile for night, indoor, or low-light photography.

Video Capabilities: Full HD vs VGA Resolution

For anyone dabbling in video, the two diverge sharply.

Canon SX720 HS shoots Full HD (1920x1080) video at 60p and 30p with decent codec support (H.264). That means smooth, usable video quality suitable for casual content creators.

Olympus, by contrast, maxes out at VGA resolution (640x480) at 30fps using basic Motion JPEG format, which looks blocky and archaic by today’s standards. No HDMI out or microphone ports are available on either camera, but Canon’s video quality is far superior.

Battery Life and Storage: Modest Canon vs Unknown Olympus

Canon rates battery life around 250 shots per charge using its proprietary NB-13L battery, which is average for compacts. Olympus FE-47 uses 2x AA batteries, offering flexibility and convenience when traveling or emergency replacements are needed. Olympus’s official battery life isn’t specified, but AA batteries tend to be less energy dense.

Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single card slot. Olympus adds internal storage, which is a plus if you forget a card in a pinch.

Connectivity and Extras: Built-in WiFi vs None

Canon SX720 HS offers built-in WiFi and NFC for easy pairing with smartphones for image transfer and remote shutter control, features absent on the Olympus.

This wireless connectivity enhances the Canon’s usability for social shooters who want easy sharing without removing cards or cables.

Performance and Speed: Canon’s Faster Continuous Shooting and Ready Times

Canon offers 5.9 fps continuous shooting, useful for capturing fleeting moments in sports or wildlife scenarios.

Olympus FE-47 doesn't list continuous burst specs, typically slower given its older processor and simpler design.

Shutter speeds differ as well: Canon’s max 1/3200s and minimum 15s exposure give flexibility for bright conditions and long exposures. Olympus caps at 1/2000s max shutter and a minimum 4s, more limiting for creative control.

Practical Photography Scenarios

Portraits and People Photography

Canon’s better sensor and face detection AF advantage mean portraits come out with more natural skin tones, sharper eyes, and a more pleasing background blur at wider apertures.

Olympus’s limited focusing and lower resolution sensor struggle here, resulting in softer images with less subject-background separation.

Landscape Photography

Canon’s larger sensor and higher resolution capture more fine detail, aided by longer zoom range and optical stabilization.

Olympus’s weaker dynamic range and lower pixel count make landscapes less impressive.

Weather sealing is absent in both, so neither is ideal for rugged outdoor shooting in harsh conditions.

Wildlife and Sports

Thanks to the Canon SX720 HS’s impressive zoom, faster continuous shooting, and quick autofocus, I’d reach for it every time over the FE-47 for wildlife or sports where subject distance and timing are critical.

Street Photography

The Olympus’s smaller size lends itself better to discreet street shooting, but poor low-light performance and slow AF may frustrate action captures.

Canon feels bulkier on the street but its superior autofocus and image quality deliver more keepers.

Macro Photography

Canon can focus as close as 1cm, Olympus from 3cm. Neither has focus bracketing or stacking, but the Canon enables more precise close-ups thanks to its better focusing system and sharper images.

Night and Astro Photography

Canon’s higher ISO ceiling, slower shutter speeds, and superior sensor technology make it the far better option for night sky shots or low-light scenes.

Olympus might struggle with noise and lack of exposure flexibility here.

Video Use

Canon is clearly the better multimedia tool, offering Full HD, reasonable frame rates, and WiFi connectivity.

Olympus cannot keep pace with video creatives.

Travel Photography

The Canon SX720 HS balances versatility with good image quality and manageable size, making it a solid travel companion, especially for those who want to shoot everything from landscapes to distant vistas without multiple lenses.

Olympus FE-47 is so pocketable that super-light travelers might prefer it, but they must accept much lower image quality and fewer features.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

Neither camera supports RAW image capture, limiting post-processing flexibility. Canon’s JPEG engine is better, but both cameras primarily target amateurs or casual shooters.

Canon’s USB 2.0 and HDMI ports aid workflow slightly, and WiFi streamlines transfer.

Olympus lacks wireless and offers weaker wired connectivity.

Summary of Pros and Cons

Canon PowerShot SX720 HS

Pros:

• 20.3MP BSI-CMOS sensor with better noise performance
• 40x optical zoom (24-960mm equivalent)
• Optical image stabilization
• Full manual exposure controls
• Face detection autofocus with 9 focus points
• Full HD 1080p video at 60fps
• Built-in WiFi and NFC
• Longer battery life and better build ergonomics
• Larger, higher resolution LCD screen

Cons:

• Larger bulk and heavier than Olympus
• No RAW shooting
• No electronic viewfinder
• Max aperture narrows to f/6.9 at telephoto

Olympus FE-47

Pros:

• Smaller, lighter, highly pocketable
• Uses widely available AA batteries
• Simpler, straightforward operation for beginners
• 5x optical zoom (36-180mm equivalent)
• Flash with red-eye reduction

Cons:

• 14MP CCD sensor with poor high ISO performance
• No image stabilization
• Very limited video (VGA only)
• No manual exposure controls or face detection AF
• Low resolution, small LCD screen
• No wireless connectivity
• Slower operation and restrictive shutter speed range

Canon SX720 HS front Canon SX720 HS screen back Olympus FE 47 front Olympus FE 47 screen back

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

If you’re a photography enthusiast or amateur looking for decent image quality, versatile zoom, and decent manual control, the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS is the clear choice - even several years after its release. Its strengths in autofocus, sensor tech, and video capabilities deliver genuine value well beyond the price. If you travel, shoot portraits, catch wildlife, or want to try your hand at some manual settings, Canon will reward you.

However, if your priorities lean toward absolute pocketability, ultra-simple operation, and you’re on a tight budget or just need something to snap selfies and snapshots occasionally without fuss, the Olympus FE-47 could suffice. Just temper your expectations on image quality, zoom reach, and speed.

How I Tested and Evaluated

I conducted side-by-side shooting sessions under varied light - from bright sunny outdoors to dim interiors - and tested autofocus speed using standardized protocols involving moving subjects and face detection scenarios. Image quality was assessed through resolution charts, real-world landscapes, and portrait test shots. Video clips were captured in everyday scenarios to evaluate smoothness and detail.

Battery runtimes were averaged over mixed-use to simulate consumer usage patterns. Ergonomic feel was documented via hands-on sessions lasting several hours per camera. Connectivity features were tested through pairing and transfer operations.

All results reflect extensive field-testing combined with lab-based technical assessment, providing a holistic understanding of each camera’s capabilities and limitations.

In a market flooded with budget compacts, honest comparisons like this are invaluable. Hopefully, this detailed look at Canon’s SX720 HS and Olympus’s FE-47 helps you dodge costly regret and land on the camera that fits your shooting style best.

Happy shooting!