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Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7S

Portability
89
Imaging
46
Features
51
Overall
48
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
 
Sony Alpha A7S front
Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7S 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
  • Succeeded the Canon SX710 HS
  • New Model is Canon SX730 HS
Sony A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Later Model is Sony A7S II
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Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7S Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7S, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX720 HS (20.3MP) and A7S (12MP) and the SX720 HS (1/2.3") and A7S (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SX720 HS was launched 23 months after the A7S which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX720 HS being a Compact camera and the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX720 HS grades versus the A7S in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Sony A7S

 SX720 HS A7S 
RevealedFebruary 2016April 2014More modern by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Canon SX720 HS

 A7S SX720 HS 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1230k922kCrisper screen (+308k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX720 HS and Sony A7S

 SX720 HS A7S 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7S Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX720 HS features outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Sony A7S has dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7S in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX720 HS versus the A7S.

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7S size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX720 HS and A7S is 89 and 77 respectively.

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7S top view buttons comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7S Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading through technical specs. The image below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX720 HS and A7S.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SX720 HS because of its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Canon SX720 HS will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 8.3MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern SX720 HS will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7S sensor size comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7S Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX720 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7S as a Portrait photography camera
47
manual focus
resolution is good (20.3 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
68
manual focus
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX720 HS
Street photography with Sony A7S
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (270 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
76
tilting screen
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
lighter than others (489g)
great ISO range (409,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX720 HS
Sports photography with Sony A7S
48
amazing zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20.3MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (5.9 frames/s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (250 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
52
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (360 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Travel photography highlights
Sony A7S Travel photography highlights
67
lighter than others (270 grams)
resolution is good (20.3 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (960mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery life (250 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
58
lighter than others (489 grams)
environment sealing
terrible battery pack (360 shots)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Landscape photography advice
Sony A7S Landscape photography advice
50
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20.3MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery life (250 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
66
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great ISO range (409,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery pack (360 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX720 HS as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7S as a Vlogging camera
34
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (270g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone port
34
includes face detect autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone support
lighter than others (489 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
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Canon SX720 HS vs Sony A7S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX720 HS and Sony A7S
 Canon PowerShot SX720 HSSony Alpha A7S
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX720 HS Sony Alpha A7S
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2016-02-18 2014-04-06
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20.3 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4240 x 2832
Highest native ISO 3200 409600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-960mm (40.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 922k dots 1,230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.9 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
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) 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 270 grams (0.60 pounds) 489 grams (1.08 pounds)
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 score not tested 87
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.2
DXO Low light score not tested 3702
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 360 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-13L NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $379 $1,998