• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 960.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon SX720 HS advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Canon SX720 HS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer video battery life
    80 vs 50 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.6 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/3200 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS60

Canon SX720 HS
Panasonic ZS60
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZS60

Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic ZS60
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic ZS60

Compared to Nikon A900

Canon SX720 HS
Nikon A900
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon A900

Olympus E-PL9
Nikon A900
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Nikon A900

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Canon SX720 HS
Panasonic GX85
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GX85
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Canon SX720 HS
Olympus E-PL8
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • Internal flash
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Olympus E-PL8

Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Canon SX730 HS

Canon SX720 HS
Canon SX730 HS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Canon SX730 HS

Olympus E-PL9
Canon SX730 HS
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Canon SX730 HS

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