Canon G7 X Mark II vs SX730

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II and the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2016 and April 2017. Both the G7X Mark II and the SX730 are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on an one-inch (G7X Mark II) and a 1/2.3-inch (SX730) sensor. The G7X Mark II has a resolution of 20 megapixels, whereas the SX730 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

	VS
Canon G7 X Mark II		Canon SX730
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
24-100mm f/1.8-2.8		24-960mm f/3.3-6.9
20 MP, 1" Sensor		20.2 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor
1080/60p Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 125-12800 (125-25600)		ISO 80-3200
No viewfinder, LCD framing		No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD, 1040k dots		3.0" LCD, 922k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Tilting screen (not touch-sensitive)
8 shutter flaps per second		5.9 shutter flaps per second
265 shots per battery charge		250 shots per battery charge
106 x 61 x 42 mm, 319 g		110 x 64 x 40 mm, 300 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II and the Canon PowerShot SX730 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 side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon G7 X Mark II and the Canon SX730. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The SX730 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the G7X Mark II 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 SX730 is notably larger (9 percent) than the Canon G7 X Mark II. However, the SX730 is markedly lighter (6 percent) than the G7X Mark II. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the G7X Mark II nor the SX730 are weather-sealed.

The power pack in the G7X Mark II can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, just click on the right or left arrow next to the camera that you would like to inspect. Alternatively, you can also use the CAM-parator to select your camera combination among a larger number of options.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon G7 X Mark II»	106 mm	61 mm	42 mm	319 g	265	n	Feb 2016	699		Canon G7 X Mark II
	Canon SX730«	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	300 g	250	n	Apr 2017	399		Canon SX730
	Canon G7 X Mark III« »	105 mm	61 mm	41 mm	304 g	235	n	Jul 2019	749		Canon G7 X Mark III
	Canon SX740« »	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	299 g	265	n	Jul 2018	399		Canon SX740
	Canon M100« »	108 mm	67 mm	35 mm	302 g	295	n	Aug 2017	499		Canon M100
	Canon SX420« »	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	325 g	195	n	Jan 2016	299		Canon SX420
	Canon SX720« »	110 mm	64 mm	36 mm	270 g	250	n	Feb 2016	379		Canon SX720
	Canon G5 X« »	112 mm	76 mm	44 mm	353 g	210	n	Oct 2015	799		Canon G5 X
	Canon M3« »	111 mm	68 mm	44 mm	366 g	250	n	Feb 2015	679		Canon M3
	Canon SX410« »	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	325 g	185	n	Feb 2015	279		Canon SX410
	Canon SX710« »	113 mm	66 mm	35 mm	269 g	230	n	Jan 2015	349		Canon SX710
	Canon G7 X« »	103 mm	60 mm	40 mm	304 g	210	n	Sep 2014	699		Canon G7 X
	Panasonic TZ90« »	112 mm	67 mm	41 mm	322 g	380	n	Apr 2017	449		Panasonic TZ90
Convert to Imperial
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The SX730 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 43 percent) than the G7X Mark II, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. 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. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon G7 X Mark II features an one-inch sensor and the Canon SX730 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the SX730 is 76 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.7 and 5.6. The sensor in the G7X Mark II has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the SX730 offers a 4:3 aspect.

In terms of chip-set technology, the G7X Mark II uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 7) than the SX730 (DIGIC 6), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the SX730 offers a slightly higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 20 MP of the G7X Mark II. 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 2.41μm for the G7X Mark II). However, it should be noted that the SX730 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 1 month) than the G7X Mark II, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that partly offset its pixel-size disadvantage. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the SX730 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 125-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS are ISO 80 to ISO 3200 (no boost).

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60p).

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The G7X Mark II and the SX730 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon G7 X Mark II and Canon SX730 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The G7X Mark II has a touchscreen, while the SX730 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The Canon G7 X Mark II has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Both the G7X Mark II and the SX730 have zoom lenses built in. The G7X Mark II has a 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 optic and the SX730 offers a 24-960mm f/3.3-6.9 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the G7X Mark II and SX730 provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the SX730 has more tele-photo reach at the long end. The G7X Mark II offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the G7X Mark II and the SX730 write their files to SDXC cards. The G7X Mark II supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the SX730 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD 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 PowerShot G7 X Mark II and Canon PowerShot SX730 HS and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Both the G7X Mark II and the SX730 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The G7X Mark II was replaced by the Canon G7 X Mark III, while the SX730 was followed by the Canon SX730 HS. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon website.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Canon G7 X Mark II better than the Canon SX730 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II:

• 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.
• Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 7 vs DIGIC 6).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 922k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8 vs 5.9 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/1.8 vs f/3.3).
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in February 2016).

Arguments in favor of the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/3200s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (43 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 1 month) more recently.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G7X Mark II is the clear winner of the match-up (13 : 6 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro 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 G7 X Mark II and the Canon SX730 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom 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 says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the G7X Mark II and the SX730 in practical situations. 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 expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). 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.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	cam era   labs	dp re   view	e photo   zine	ima ging resource	photo graphy   blog	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon G7 X Mark II	+ +	81/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	699		Canon G7 X Mark II
	Canon SX730	+	..	4/5	..	4/5	Apr 2017	399		Canon SX730
	Canon G7 X Mark III	+ +	81/100	4/5	..	..	Jul 2019	749		Canon G7 X Mark III
	Canon SX740	+	..	4/5	..	4/5	Jul 2018	399		Canon SX740
	Canon M100	+	..	4/5	..	3.5/5	Aug 2017	499		Canon M100
	Canon SX420	..	..	..	..	3/5	Jan 2016	299		Canon SX420
	Canon SX720	+	..	4/5	..	4.5/5	Feb 2016	379		Canon SX720
	Canon G5 X	+ +	78/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Oct 2015	799		Canon G5 X
	Canon M3	o	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2015	679		Canon M3
	Canon SX410	o	..	..	..	..	Feb 2015	279		Canon SX410
	Canon SX710	+	..	4/5	..	3.5/5	Jan 2015	349		Canon SX710
	Canon G7 X	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	3.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	699		Canon G7 X
	Panasonic TZ90	+ +	..	4/5	..	4/5	Apr 2017	449		Panasonic TZ90
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

Specifications: Canon G7 X Mark II vs Canon SX730

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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