Clicky

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
89
Imaging
47
Features
51
Overall
48
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
55
Features
86
Overall
67

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony ZV-1 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
  • Launched February 2016
  • Old Model is Canon SX710 HS
  • Renewed by Canon SX730 HS
Sony ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Announced May 2020
  • Newer Model is Sony ZV-1 II
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

Below is a extended assessment of the Canon SX720 HS vs Sony ZV-1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX720 HS (20.3MP) and the ZV-1 (20MP) is relatively comparable but the SX720 HS (1/2.3") and ZV-1 (1") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SX720 HS was launched 5 years earlier than the ZV-1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX720 HS being a Compact camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SX720 HS grades against the ZV-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Sony ZV-1

 SX720 HS ZV-1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Canon SX720 HS

 ZV-1 SX720 HS 
AnnouncedMay 2020February 2016More recent by 52 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX720 HS and Sony ZV-1

 SX720 HS ZV-1 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution922k922kIdentical screen resolution

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX720 HS provides external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Sony ZV-1 has proportions of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") having a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX720 HS vs Sony ZV-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SX720 HS versus the ZV-1.

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX720 HS and ZV-1 is 89 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to see the difference in sensor measurements just by checking out specs. The visual here may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX720 HS and ZV-1.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SX720 HS because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Canon SX720 HS will show extra detail utilizing its extra 0.3MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older SX720 HS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX720 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Portrait photography camera
48
focusing manually
MP count decent (20.3MP)
supports face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
73
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Street photography factors
Sony ZV-1 Street photography factors
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (270g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
85
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
exports RAW files
has touch focus
lighter than others in class (294g)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Sports photography information
Sony ZV-1 Sports photography information
48
amazing zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20.3MP)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (5.9 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (250 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
71
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (24.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
offers tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
not so great battery power (260 shots)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Canon SX720 HS as a Travel photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competition in class (270 grams)
MP count decent (20.3 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (960mm)
no Time Lapse function
bad battery (250 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
81
lighter than others in class (294g)
supports bluetooth
has touch focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
really wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
not so great battery power (260 shots)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX720 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Landscape photography camera
50
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20.3 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery (250 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
70
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX720 HS
Vlogging with Sony ZV-1
35
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (270 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external mic socket
86
really wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external microphone support
lighter than others in class (294g)
Photography Glossary

Canon SX720 HS vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX720 HS and Sony ZV-1
 Canon PowerShot SX720 HSSony ZV-1
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX720 HS Sony ZV-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2016-02-18 2020-05-27
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 6 Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 20.3 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 315
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-960mm (40.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.9 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 922k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.9 frames per second 24.0 frames per second
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 settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
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 gr (0.60 lbs) 294 gr (0.65 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos 260 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-13L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $379 $750