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Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
89
Imaging
47
Features
51
Overall
48
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Canon SX720 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20.3MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-960mm (F3.3-6.9) lens
  • 270g - 110 x 64 x 36mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Replaced the Canon SX710 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX730 HS
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic ZR3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX720 HS (20.3MP) and ZR3 (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX720 HS was manufactured 6 years later than the ZR3 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SX720 HS grades versus the ZR3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Panasonic ZR3

 SX720 HS ZR3 
ReleasedFebruary 2016January 2010Fresher by 74 months
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Canon SX720 HS

 ZR3 SX720 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic ZR3

 SX720 HS ZR3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX720 HS has got outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") having a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic ZR3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX720 HS versus the ZR3.

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX720 HS and ZR3 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading technical specs. The photograph underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX720 HS and ZR3.

As you can tell, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Canon SX720 HS to offer greater detail due to its extra 6.3MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern SX720 HS will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography information
48
manual focus
decent megapixels (20.3MP)
comes with face detection focus
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
28
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Street photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography features
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (270g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX720 HS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
48
great zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20.3MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.9 fps)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (250 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
37
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography factors
67
lighter than average in class (270g)
decent megapixels (20.3 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (960mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery life (250 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
65
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography advice
50
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20.3MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
low battery life (250 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
37
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Vlogging features
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging features
35
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (270 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
29
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
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Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic ZR3
 Canon PowerShot SX720 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX720 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2016-02-18 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 Venus Engine HD II
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
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-960mm (40.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 922k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.9 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 (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 AVCHD Lite
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 lbs) 159 gr (0.35 lbs)
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 Overall 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 shots -
Battery style 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 One One
Launch pricing $379 $280