Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3
89 Imaging
45 Features
51 Overall
47
96 Imaging
36 Features
24 Overall
31
Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs
(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
(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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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").
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe 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 Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX720 HS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The full galleries are available at Canon SX720 HS Gallery & Panasonic S3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Panasonic S3
| SX720 HS | S3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | February 2016 | January 2011 | Fresher by 63 months | |
| Manual focus | Dial accurate focus | |||
| Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
| Display resolution | 922k | 230k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | 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.
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.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX720 HS and S3 is 89 and 96 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic S3 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX720 HS | Panasonic 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 |