• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX40 HS advantages over Olympus SP-720UZ

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.7 vs f/3.2
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    840 mm vs 676 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.3 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus SP-720UZ advantages over Canon SX40 HS

  • Thinner
    73 mm vs 107 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    405g vs 606g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    14.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

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Buy the Canon SX40 HS

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Buy the Olympus SP-720UZ
Olympus SP-720UZ

Review Excerpt

  • Wide, long all-purpose zoom lens performs well; Very good image quality; Articulating LCD; Good grip; Excellent controls.

  • Rear scroll wheel is too sensitive; Low-res LCD; No lens hood included; Slow startup time; Slow cycle time.

  • Read our Canon SX40 HS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm HS10

Canon SX40 HS
Fujifilm HS10
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • RAW file ability

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Fujifilm HS10

Olympus SP-720UZ
Fujifilm HS10
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs Fujifilm HS10

Compared to Canon SX30 IS

Canon SX40 HS
Canon SX30 IS
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Canon SX30 IS

Olympus SP-720UZ
Canon SX30 IS
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs Canon SX30 IS

Compared to Sony HX100V

Canon SX40 HS
Sony HX100V
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX100V

Olympus SP-720UZ
Sony HX100V
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Lighter weight
  • Bulb shutter
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Olympus SP-620UZ

Canon SX40 HS
Olympus SP-620UZ
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Olympus SP-620UZ

Olympus SP-720UZ
Olympus SP-620UZ
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs Olympus SP-620UZ

Compared to Nikon L810

Canon SX40 HS
Nikon L810
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810

Olympus SP-720UZ
Nikon L810
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bulb shutter
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs Nikon L810

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