Panasonic GX8 vs Canon SX720 HS

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Panasonic GX8 vs Canon SX720 HS

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4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX8 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX8 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX8.
Compare Panasonic GX8 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX8 conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Canon SX720 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX720 HS.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9

Succeeded by the Canon SX730 HS
Compare SX720 HS vs SX730 HS

Compare PANASONIC GX9 vs CANON SX730 HS

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Differences

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Canon SX720 HS

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.34 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
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

340 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
8.3 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
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

Canon SX720 HS advantages over Panasonic GX8

Less expensive
$279 vs $998
Save money for lenses or accessories
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
35 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
270g vs 487g
Lighter weight
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

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
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

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
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
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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Read GX8 User Reviews

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Canon SX720 HS

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Review Excerpt

Highest resolution Micro Four Thirds camera yet; Great high ISO performance; Very fast autofocus; Fast burst mode with deep buffers; Impressive Dual I.S. system; Great 4K video.
No built-in flash; Slow buffer clearing; Below average battery life; Limited I.S. for 4K video.
Read our Panasonic GX8 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon SX720 HS, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon SX720 HS Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

Fast startup
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1

Canon SX720 HS

Olympus E-M1

$279
1/2.3 inch

NFC
Internal flash

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M5 II

$998
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Canon SX720 HS

Olympus E-M5 II

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
NFC

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Panasonic ZS60

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic ZS60

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$448
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs 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

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Canon SX720 HS

Olympus E-M1 II

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
NFC

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Canon SX730 HS

Panasonic GX8

Canon SX730 HS

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$399
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs 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

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