• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus SP-720UZ advantages over Canon SX50

  • Thinner
    73 mm vs 105 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    405g vs 603g
    Lighter weight
  • 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

Canon SX50 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
  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 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
    13.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/2000 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • 50x optical zoom with whopping 24-1200mm-equivalent reach; Excellent image quality for its class; 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD; Ergonomic design and controls; Improved image stabilization and Zoom Framing Assist; Shoots RAW; Full 1080p HD video.

  • Poor low-light AF performance; Image quality deteriorates at ISO 800 and above; Sluggish cycle times; Below average battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm S2950

Olympus SP-720UZ
Fujifilm S2950
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
Canon SX50
Fujifilm S2950
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • RAW file ability
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to 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
Canon SX50
Olympus SP-620UZ
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to 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
Canon SX50
Nikon L810
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon P600

Olympus SP-720UZ
Nikon P600
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon SX50
Nikon P600
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon SX60

Olympus SP-720UZ
Canon SX60
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Canon SX50
Canon SX60
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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