• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 960.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus SP-720UZ advantages over Canon SX740 HS

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.44 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Canon SX740 HS advantages over Olympus SP-720UZ

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    960 mm vs 676 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    299g vs 405g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 14.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SP-720UZ

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX740 HS

Review Excerpt

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 SX740 HS
Fujifilm S2950
  • $502
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

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 SX740 HS
Olympus SP-620UZ
  • $502
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bulb shutter

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 SX740 HS
Nikon L810
  • $502
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon SX720 HS

Olympus SP-720UZ
Canon SX720 HS
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Bulb shutter
  • $469
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Canon SX740 HS
Canon SX720 HS
  • $502
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $469
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Canon SX730 HS

Olympus SP-720UZ
Canon SX730 HS
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Bulb shutter
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon SX740 HS
Canon SX730 HS
  • $502
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Longer video battery life
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
Compare Other Cameras?