Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX720 HS

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Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX720 HS

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
18.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic ZS40 Review.

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 Canon SX730 HS
Compare SX720 HS vs SX730 HS
Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX730 HS

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Differences

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Canon SX720 HS

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

300 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX720 HS advantages over Panasonic ZS40

More telephoto lens reach
960 mm vs 720 mm
Capture objects farther away
Faster shutter
1/3200 vs 1/2000 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
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
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Hot shoe
Neither provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Neither provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Panasonic ZS40, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Panasonic ZS40 First Shots

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 Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic ZS40

Canon SX700 HS

$380
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$329
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX700 HS

Canon SX720 HS

Canon SX700 HS

$279
1/2.3 inch

More telephoto lens reach
More pixels

$329
1/2.3 inch

Faster JPEG shooting
Slow-motion videos

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Canon SX700 HS

Compared to Sony WX500

Panasonic ZS40

Sony WX500

$380
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$348
1/2.3 inch

Tiltable Screen
Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony WX500

Canon SX720 HS

Sony WX500

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$348
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Sony WX500

Compared to Panasonic ZS60

Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS60

$380
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS

$448
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic ZS40 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 Nikon A900

Panasonic ZS40

Nikon A900

$380
1/2.3 inch

Slower slow-motion
Focus peaking

$397
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs 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

Compared to Canon SX730 HS

Panasonic ZS40

Canon SX730 HS

$380
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$399
1/2.3 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Panasonic ZS40 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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