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Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
89
Imaging
46
Features
51
Overall
48
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 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
  • Launched February 2016
  • Superseded the Canon SX710 HS
  • Updated by Canon SX730 HS
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the SX720 HS (20.3MP) and ZR1 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX720 HS was released 6 years later than the ZR1 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SX720 HS grades against the ZR1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Panasonic ZR1

 SX720 HS ZR1 
RevealedFebruary 2016July 2009More recent by 80 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Canon SX720 HS

 ZR1 SX720 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic ZR1

 SX720 HS ZR1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX720 HS features outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR1 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SX720 HS vs the ZR1.

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX720 HS and ZR1 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements just by reading specs. The graphic below may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX720 HS and ZR1.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Canon SX720 HS to offer you more detail as a result of its extra 8.3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The younger SX720 HS should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography highlights
47
you can focus manually
MP count good (20.3 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
20
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX720 HS
Street photography with Panasonic ZR1
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (270 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX720 HS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZR1
48
amazing zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20.3 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (5.9 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (250 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography highlights
67
lighter than average in class (270 grams)
MP count good (20.3 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (960mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (250 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
57
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX720 HS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR1
50
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20.3MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
32
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX720 HS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZR1
34
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (270g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of mic port
28
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
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Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic ZR1
 Canon PowerShot SX720 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX720 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Also called as - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2016-02-18 2009-07-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 6 Venus Engine V
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20.3MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-960mm (40.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 922k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.9fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 5.10 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 270 gr (0.60 pounds) 158 gr (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-13L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $379 $280