Clicky

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7R

Portability
89
Imaging
46
Features
51
Overall
48
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
 
Sony Alpha A7R front
Portability
78
Imaging
73
Features
76
Overall
74

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7R 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
  • Announced February 2016
  • Replaced the Canon SX710 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX730 HS
Sony A7R
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Replacement is Sony A7R II
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7R Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7R, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Canon and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the SX720 HS (20.3MP) and A7R (36MP) and the SX720 HS (1/2.3") and A7R (Full frame) have totally different sensor sizing.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The SX720 HS was revealed 2 years later than the A7R and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX720 HS being a Compact camera and the Sony A7R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SX720 HS grades against the A7R in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Sony A7R

 SX720 HS A7R 
ReleasedFebruary 2016February 2014Fresher by 25 months

Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Canon SX720 HS

 A7R SX720 HS 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1230k922kSharper screen (+308k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX720 HS and Sony A7R

 SX720 HS A7R 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX720 HS enjoys exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Sony A7R has proportions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).

Check the Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7R in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SX720 HS versus the A7R.

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7R size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX720 HS and A7R is 89 and 78 respectively.

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7R top view buttons comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing only by looking at specs. The visual below will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX720 HS and A7R.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SX720 HS having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A7R will give extra detail because of its extra 15.7MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The newer SX720 HS is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7R sensor size comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX720 HS
Portrait photography with Sony A7R
47
you can focus manually
MP count good (20.3MP)
provides face detection focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
83
you can focus manually
amazing megapixels (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Street photography features
Sony A7R Street photography features
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (270 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
79
tilting screen
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
lighter than others (465 grams)
very good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Sports photography details
Sony A7R Sports photography details
48
amazing zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20.3MP)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (5.9 frames/s)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (250 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
61
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
amazing megapixels (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
environment sealing
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (340 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Travel photography features
Sony A7R Travel photography features
67
lighter than competition (270 grams)
MP count good (20.3 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (960mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (250 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than others (465g)
environment sealing
amazing megapixels (36 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (340 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX720 HS
Landscape photography with Sony A7R
50
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20.3 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery pack (250 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
77
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
amazing megapixels (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (340 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Vlogging highlights
Sony A7R Vlogging highlights
34
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (270 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
36
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic port
lighter than others (465 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX720 HS and Sony A7R
 Canon PowerShot SX720 HSSony Alpha A7R
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX720 HS Sony Alpha A7R
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2016-02-18 2014-02-13
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 6 Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20.3 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-960mm (40.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 922 thousand dot 1,230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.9 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 grams (0.60 lbs) 465 grams (1.03 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 95
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 2746
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 340 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-13L NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $379 $1,898