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Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic LZ40

Portability
89
Imaging
45
Features
51
Overall
47
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
Portability
67
Imaging
44
Features
35
Overall
40

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic LZ40 Key Specs

Canon SX720 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20.3MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-960mm (F3.3-6.9) lens
  • 270g - 110 x 64 x 36mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Previous Model is Canon SX710 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX730 HS
Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Superseded the Panasonic LZ30
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Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic LZ40 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic LZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX720 HS (20.3MP) and the LZ40 (20MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX720 HS was introduced 2 years after the LZ40 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX720 HS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a short view of how the SX720 HS matches up against the LZ40 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Panasonic LZ40

 SX720 HS LZ40 
RevealedFebruary 2016January 2014More modern by 26 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen resolution922k460kClearer screen (+462k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Canon SX720 HS

 LZ40 SX720 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic LZ40

 SX720 HS LZ40 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic LZ40 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and size. The Canon SX720 HS comes with physical dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Panasonic LZ40 has specifications of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") and a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic LZ40 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SX720 HS compared to the LZ40.

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic LZ40 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX720 HS and LZ40 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic LZ40 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic LZ40 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX720 HS and LZ40.

All in all, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Canon SX720 HS to offer extra detail using its extra 0.3MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher SX720 HS should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic LZ40 sensor size comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Portrait photography details
Panasonic LZ40 Portrait photography details
47
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20.3 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
39
good resolution (20MP)
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX720 HS
Street photography with Panasonic LZ40
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (270g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than average in class (524 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX720 HS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LZ40 as a Sports photography camera
47
incredible zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20.3 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.9 frames/s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (250 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX720 HS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LZ40 as a Travel photography camera
66
lighter than competition in class (270g)
decent sensor resolution (20.3MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (960mm)
no Timelapse mode
low battery (250 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
55
good resolution (20MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (22mm)
long zoom (924mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (524g)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic LZ40 Landscape photography highlights
49
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20.3 megapixels)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery (250 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
44
decently wide (22mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX720 HS
Vlogging with Panasonic LZ40
34
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (270g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone jack
27
decently wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
comes with external mic support
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
heavier than average in class (524g)
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Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic LZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic LZ40
 Canon PowerShot SX720 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX720 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-02-18 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
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 20.3MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 5152 x 3864
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-960mm (40.0x) 22-924mm (42.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.9 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 922k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.9fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 10.80 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 270 gr (0.60 lb) 524 gr (1.16 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 250 images 320 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-13L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $379 $219