Canon SX720 HS vs Canon SL2

Cameras
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Canon SX720 HS vs Canon SL2

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.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon SL2 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL2 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.
Compare Canon SL2 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon SL2 conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Canon SL3
Compare SL2 vs SL3

Compare CANON SX730 HS vs CANON SL3

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Differences

Canon SX720 HS advantages over Canon SL2

Less expensive
$279* vs $549
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Thinner
35 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.9 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon SL2 advantages over Canon SX720 HS

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.72 vs 1.19 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

650 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
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

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Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (White)

Review Excerpt

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

Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.
Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.
Read our Canon SL2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX710 HS

Canon SX720 HS

Canon SX710 HS

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$329
1/2.3 inch

Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Canon SX710 HS

Canon SL2

Canon SX710 HS

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$329
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon SX710 HS

Compared to 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

Canon SL2

Nikon A900

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$397
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon A900

Compared to 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

Canon SL2

Canon SX730 HS

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$399
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon SX730 HS

Compared to Nikon D3500

Canon SX720 HS

Nikon D3500

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3500

Compared to Canon SL3

Canon SX720 HS

Canon SL3

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$632
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Canon SL3

Canon SL2

Canon SL3

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$632
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon SL3

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