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Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3

Portability
89
Imaging
45
Features
51
Overall
47
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
24
Overall
31

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3 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
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Previous Model is Canon SX710 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX730 HS
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Here is a detailed analysis of the Canon SX720 HS versus Panasonic S3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the SX720 HS (20.3MP) and S3 (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX720 HS was revealed 5 years later than the S3 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the SX720 HS scores versus the S3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Panasonic S3

 SX720 HS S3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016January 2011Fresher by 63 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Canon SX720 HS

 S3 SX720 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic S3

 SX720 HS S3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX720 HS enjoys physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Panasonic S3 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX720 HS versus Panasonic S3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the SX720 HS versus the S3.

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX720 HS and S3 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing simply by checking technical specs. The graphic here will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX720 HS and S3.

As you can tell, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Canon SX720 HS to resolve more detail because of its extra 6.3MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more recent SX720 HS provides an edge in sensor technology.

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Portrait photography information
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography information
47
has manual focus
good MP (20.3 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
28
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX720 HS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (270 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX720 HS
Sports photography with Panasonic S3
47
long zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20.3MP)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.9 fps)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (250 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Travel photography advice
Panasonic S3 Travel photography advice
66
lighter than others (270 grams)
good MP (20.3MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
great zoom (960mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery power (250 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
68
lighter than competition in class (117g)
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX720 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
49
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20.3 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery power (250 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
37
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX720 HS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
34
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (270g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone jack
31
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
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Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic S3
 Canon PowerShot SX720 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX720 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2016-02-18 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 6 Venus Engine IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20.3MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
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 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-960mm (40.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 922k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.9fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 270g (0.60 lb) 117g (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 pictures 250 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-13L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $379 $110