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Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax X-5

Portability
89
Imaging
47
Features
51
Overall
48
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax X-5 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
  • Announced February 2016
  • Succeeded the Canon SX710 HS
  • Renewed by Canon SX730 HS
Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Announced August 2012
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Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax X-5 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Canon SX720 HS versus Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the SX720 HS (20.3MP) and X-5 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX720 HS was unveiled 3 years after the X-5 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX720 HS being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick view of how the SX720 HS grades vs the X-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Pentax X-5

 SX720 HS X-5 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016August 2012More modern by 43 months
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Canon SX720 HS

 X-5 SX720 HS 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Canon SX720 HS and Pentax X-5

 SX720 HS X-5 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SX720 HS enjoys external 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 Pentax X-5 has sizing of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") along with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX720 HS versus Pentax X-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX720 HS versus the X-5.

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX720 HS and X-5 is 89 and 65 respectively.

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes just by looking through a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX720 HS and X-5.

Clearly, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Canon SX720 HS to provide you with extra detail having an extra 4.3MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The newer SX720 HS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Portrait photography highlights
Pentax X-5 Portrait photography highlights
48
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20.3 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
44
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has face detect focusing
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Street photography information
Pentax X-5 Street photography information
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (270 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
50
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
more heavy than average (595 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Sports photography advice
Pentax X-5 Sports photography advice
48
excellent zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20.3 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.9 fps)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (250 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
53
excellent zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Travel photography highlights
Pentax X-5 Travel photography highlights
67
lighter than competitors (270g)
decent sensor resolution (20.3 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (960mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (250 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
54
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (22mm)
long reach (580mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average (595 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Landscape photography highlights
Pentax X-5 Landscape photography highlights
50
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20.3 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery life (250 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
47
has manual focus
rather wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Vlogging advice
Pentax X-5 Vlogging advice
35
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (270g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic socket
27
rather wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than average (595g)
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Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX720 HS and Pentax X-5
 Canon PowerShot SX720 HSPentax X-5
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX720 HS Pentax X-5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-02-18 2012-08-22
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20.3 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-960mm (40.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 922 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230 thousand dot
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 5.9 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 9.10 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 lbs) 595 gr (1.31 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
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 photographs 330 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-13L 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $379 $230