Canon 40D vs SX720

The Canon EOS 40D and the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in August 2007 and February 2016. The 40D is a DSLR, while the SX720 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (40D) and a 1/2.3-inch (SX720) sensor. The 40D has a resolution of 10.1 megapixels, whereas the SX720 provides 20.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 40D		Canon SX720
Digital single lens reflex		Fixed lens compact camera
Canon EF mount lenses		24-960mm f/3.3-6.9
10.1 MP – APS-C sensor		20.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
no Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)		ISO 80-3,200
Optical viewfinder		No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 230k dots		3.0" LCD – 922k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
6.5 shutter flaps per second		5.9 shutter flaps per second
750 shots per battery charge		250 shots per battery charge
146 x 108 x 74 mm, 822 g		110 x 64 x 36 mm, 270 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 40D and the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon 40D and the Canon SX720 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The SX720 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the 40D is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon SX720 is considerably smaller (55 percent) than the Canon 40D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 40D nor the SX720 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the SX720 has a lens built in, whereas the 40D is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the 40D and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 40D gets 750 shots out of its Canon BP-511A battery, while the SX720 can take 250 images on a single charge of its Canon NB-13L power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon 40D	146 mm	108 mm	74 mm	822 g	750	n	Aug 2007	EUR 1 299	ebay.com
2.		Canon SX720	110 mm	64 mm	36 mm	270 g	250	n	Feb 2016	EUR 329	ebay.com
3.		Canon 20D	144 mm	106 mm	72 mm	770 g	700	n	Aug 2004	EUR 1 599	ebay.com
4.		Canon 30D	144 mm	106 mm	74 mm	785 g	750	n	Feb 2006	EUR 1 399	ebay.com
5.		Canon 50D	146 mm	108 mm	74 mm	822 g	800	Y	Aug 2008	EUR 1 099	ebay.com
6.		Canon 60D	145 mm	106 mm	79 mm	755 g	1100	Y	Aug 2010	EUR 1 149	ebay.com
7.		Canon 70D	139 mm	104 mm	79 mm	755 g	920	Y	Jul 2013	EUR 1 099	ebay.com
8.		Canon 400D	127 mm	84 mm	65 mm	556 g	370	n	Aug 2006	EUR 799	ebay.com
9.		Canon 450D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	524 g	500	n	Jan 2008	EUR 699	ebay.com
10.		Canon 1000D	126 mm	98 mm	65 mm	502 g	500	n	Jun 2008	EUR 399	ebay.com
11.		Canon G7 X Mark II	106 mm	61 mm	42 mm	319 g	265	n	Feb 2016	EUR 685	ebay.com
12.		Canon SX710	113 mm	66 mm	35 mm	269 g	230	n	Jan 2015	EUR 299	ebay.com
13.		Canon SX730	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	300 g	250	n	Apr 2017	EUR 399	ebay.com
14.		Canon SX740	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	299 g	265	n	Jul 2018	EUR 399	amazon.com
15.		Nikon D90	132 mm	103 mm	77 mm	703 g	850	n	Aug 2008	EUR 1 189	ebay.com
16.		Olympus E-30	142 mm	108 mm	75 mm	701 g	750	n	Nov 2008	EUR 1 099	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic TZ90	112 mm	67 mm	41 mm	322 g	380	n	Apr 2017	EUR 429	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The SX720 was launched at a lower price than the 40D, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 40D features an APS-C sensor and the Canon SX720 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the SX720 is 92 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 5.6. The sensor in the 40D has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the SX720 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Technology-wise, the SX720 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 6) than the 40D (DIGIC 3), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the SX720 offers a higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 10.1 MP of the 40D. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.18μm versus 5.73μm for the 40D). However, it should be noted that the SX720 is much more recent (by 8 years and 6 months) than the 40D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the SX720 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon SX720 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the SX720 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 40D are 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.4 x 32.9 cm for good quality, 15.6 x 10.4 inches or 39.5 x 26.3 cm for very good quality, and 13 x 8.6 inches or 32.9 x 21.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 40D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS are ISO 80 to ISO 3200 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the 40D is build around a CMOS sensor, while the SX720 uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon 40D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.3	703	64
2.		Canon SX720	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.3	11.8	817	48
3.		Canon 20D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.9	11.0	721	62
4.		Canon 30D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.5	10.8	736	59
5.		Canon 50D	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	none	21.8	11.4	696	63
6.		Canon 60D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.2	11.5	813	66
7.		Canon 70D	APS-C	20.0	5472	3648	1080/30p	22.5	11.6	926	68
8.		Canon 400D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.0	664	62
9.		Canon 450D	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	none	21.9	10.8	692	61
10.		Canon 1000D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.0	10.9	719	62
11.		Canon G7 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.8	11.9	260	62
12.		Canon SX710	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.2	11.6	712	47
13.		Canon SX730	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.5	11.9	924	50
14.		Canon SX740	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	20.6	12.1	1050	51
15.		Nikon D90	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/24p	22.7	12.5	977	73
16.		Olympus E-30	Four Thirds	12.2	4032	3024	none	21.3	10.4	530	55
17.		Panasonic TZ90	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	19.1	10.6	106	36
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The SX720 indeed provides for movie recording, while the 40D does not. The highest resolution format that the SX720 can use is 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the 40D has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the SX720 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 40D and Canon SX720 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon 40D	optical	Y	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.5/s	Y	n
2.		Canon SX720	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	5.9/s	Y	Y
3.		Canon 20D	optical	Y	1.8 / 118	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
4.		Canon 30D	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
5.		Canon 50D	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.3/s	Y	n
6.		Canon 60D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	n	1/8000s	5.3/s	Y	n
7.		Canon 70D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0/s	Y	n
8.		Canon 400D	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
9.		Canon 450D	optical	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5/s	Y	n
10.		Canon 1000D	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
11.		Canon G7 X Mark II	none	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	8.0/s	Y	Y
12.		Canon SX710	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	6.0/s	Y	Y
13.		Canon SX730	none	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/3200s	5.9/s	Y	Y
14.		Canon SX740	none	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/3200s	10.0/s	Y	Y
15.		Nikon D90	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	4.5/s	Y	n
16.		Olympus E-30	optical	Y	2.7 / 230	swivel	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	Y
17.		Panasonic TZ90	1166	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that is present on the 40D, but is missing on the SX720 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The 40D writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the SX720 uses SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 40D and Canon PowerShot SX720 HS and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon 40D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Canon SX720	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
3.		Canon 20D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
4.		Canon 30D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Canon 50D	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon 60D	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon 70D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
8.		Canon 400D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon 450D	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Canon 1000D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Canon G7 X Mark II	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
12.		Canon SX710	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
13.		Canon SX730	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
14.		Canon SX740	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
15.		Nikon D90	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Olympus E-30	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Panasonic TZ90	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-

It is notable that the 40D has a hotshoe, while the SX720 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 40D (unlike the SX720) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the 40D and the SX720 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 40D was replaced by the Canon 50D, while the SX720 was followed by the Canon SX730. Further information on the features and operation of the 40D and SX720 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 40D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon SX720 Manual.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Canon 40D better than the Canon SX720 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 40D:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/3200s) to freeze action.
• More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (750 versus 250) on a single battery charge.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2007).

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (20.2 vs 10.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 39%.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 6 vs DIGIC 3).
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/60p video.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (922k vs 230k dots).
• Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the 40D requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (110x64mm vs 146x108mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the 40D).
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Reflects 8 years and 6 months of technical progress since the 40D launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the match-up finishes in a tie (13 points each). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 40D and the Canon SX720 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 40D or the SX720. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon 40D	..	+ +	..	+ +	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2007	EUR 1 299	ebay.com
2.		Canon SX720	..	+	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	EUR 329	ebay.com
3.		Canon 20D	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Aug 2004	EUR 1 599	ebay.com
4.		Canon 30D	..	+ +	..	+ +	o	..	Feb 2006	EUR 1 399	ebay.com
5.		Canon 50D	..	+ +	..	+ +	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2008	EUR 1 099	ebay.com
6.		Canon 60D	5/5	+	..	79/100	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2010	EUR 1 149	ebay.com
7.		Canon 70D	5/5	+ +	..	83/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2013	EUR 1 099	ebay.com
8.		Canon 400D	..	+ +	..	+ +	o	4/5	Aug 2006	EUR 799	ebay.com
9.		Canon 450D	..	+ +	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	EUR 699	ebay.com
10.		Canon 1000D	..	82/100	..	+ +	3.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2008	EUR 399	ebay.com
11.		Canon G7 X Mark II	4.5/5	+ +	..	81/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	EUR 685	ebay.com
12.		Canon SX710	..	+	..	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2015	EUR 299	ebay.com
13.		Canon SX730	..	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	EUR 399	ebay.com
14.		Canon SX740	..	+	3.5/5	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2018	EUR 399	amazon.com
15.		Nikon D90	..	+ +	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2008	EUR 1 189	ebay.com
16.		Olympus E-30	..	..	..	71/100	4.5/5	4/5	Nov 2008	EUR 1 099	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic TZ90	..	+ +	4/5	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	EUR 429	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

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