Sony HX50V vs Canon SX720 HS

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Sony HX50V vs Canon SX720 HS

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
20.4 megapixels
24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony HX50V Review.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
20.3 megapixels
24.00mm - 960.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX720 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX720 HS.

Succeeded by the Sony HX90V
Compare HX50V vs HX90V

Succeeded by the Canon SX730 HS
Compare SX720 HS vs SX730 HS

Compare SONY HX90V vs CANON SX730 HS

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Differences

Sony HX50V advantages over Canon SX720 HS

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

400 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX720 HS advantages over Sony HX50V

Less expensive
$380 vs $450 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
More telephoto lens reach
960 mm vs 720 mm
Capture objects farther away

Similarities

Common Strengths

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Neither provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Neither provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Sony HX50V

Sony HX50V

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX720 HS

Canon SX720 HS

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony HX50V, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Sony HX50V First Shots

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon SX720 HS, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon SX720 HS Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Sony HX50V

Panasonic ZS40

$368
1/2.3 inch

Longer stills battery life
Hot shoe

$380
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony HX50V vs Panasonic ZS40

Canon SX720 HS

Panasonic ZS40

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$380
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZS40

Compared to Sony HX90V

Sony HX50V

Sony HX90V

$368
1/2.3 inch

Hot shoe
Faster shutter

$448
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony HX50V vs Sony HX90V

Canon SX720 HS

Sony HX90V

$279
1/2.3 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Faster shutter

$448
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Sony HX90V

Compared to Panasonic ZS60

Sony HX50V

Panasonic ZS60

$368
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Longer stills battery life

$448
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony HX50V vs Panasonic ZS60

Canon SX720 HS

Panasonic ZS60

$279
1/2.3 inch

NFC
More telephoto lens reach

$448
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZS60

Compared to Nikon A900

Sony HX50V

Nikon A900

$368
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Longer stills battery life

$397
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony HX50V vs Nikon A900

Canon SX720 HS

Nikon A900

$279
1/2.3 inch

Manual focus
Higher-res screen

$397
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon A900

Compared to Canon SX730 HS

Sony HX50V

Canon SX730 HS

$368
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Built-in GPS

$399
1/2.3 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Sony HX50V vs Canon SX730 HS

Canon SX720 HS

Canon SX730 HS

$279
1/2.3 inch

$399
1/2.3 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Canon SX730 HS

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