• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SP-720UZ advantages over Sony HX50V

  • 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

Sony HX50V advantages over Olympus SP-720UZ

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    272g vs 405g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • 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
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 14.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 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
    1/4000 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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

  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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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

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs Fujifilm S2950

Sony HX50V
Fujifilm S2950
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony HX50V vs Fujifilm S2950

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

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

Sony HX50V
Olympus SP-620UZ
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bulb shutter

Compare Sony HX50V vs Olympus SP-620UZ

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

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs Nikon L810

Sony HX50V
Nikon L810
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony HX50V vs Nikon L810

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Olympus SP-720UZ
Panasonic ZS40
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bulb shutter
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs 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

Compared to Sony HX90V

Olympus SP-720UZ
Sony HX90V
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bulb shutter
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus SP-720UZ vs 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

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