Canon SX420 vs T7

The Canon PowerShot SX420 IS and the Canon EOS Rebel T7 (labelled Canon 2000D in some countries) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2016 and February 2018. The SX420 is a fixed lens compact, while the T7 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a 1/2.3-inch (SX420) and an APS-C (T7) sensor. The SX420 has a resolution of 19.9 megapixels, whereas the T7 provides 24 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Canon SX420		Canon T7
Fixed lens compact camera		Digital single lens reflex
24-1008mm f/3.5-6.6		Canon EF mount lenses
19.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor		24 MP – APS-C sensor
720/25p Video		1080/30p Video
ISO 100-1,600		ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800)
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 230k dots		3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
0.5 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
195 shots per battery charge		500 shots per battery charge
104 x 69 x 85 mm, 325 g		129 x 101 x 78 mm, 475 g

Check SX420 offers at
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Check T7 price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS and the Canon EOS Rebel T7? 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

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon SX420 and the Canon T7 is provided 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 dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The SX420 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the T7 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 T7 is considerably larger (82 percent) than the Canon SX420. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX420 nor the T7 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the SX420 has a lens built in, whereas the T7 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 T7 and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the SX420 gets 195 shots out of its NB-11LH battery, while the T7 can take 500 images on a single charge of its LP-E10 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon SX420	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	325 g	195	n	Jan 2016	299	ebay.com
2.		Canon T7	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	475 g	500	n	Feb 2018	449	amazon.com
3.		Canon SL3	122 mm	93 mm	70 mm	449 g	1070	n	Apr 2019	599	amazon.com
4.		Canon T100	129 mm	102 mm	77 mm	436 g	500	n	Feb 2018	399	amazon.com
5.		Canon SX430	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	323 g	195	n	Jan 2017	299	amazon.com
6.		Canon 77D	131 mm	100 mm	76 mm	540 g	600	n	Feb 2017	899	ebay.com
7.		Canon SL2	122 mm	93 mm	70 mm	453 g	650	n	Jun 2017	549	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX730	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	300 g	250	n	Apr 2017	399	ebay.com
9.		Canon G7 X Mark II	106 mm	61 mm	42 mm	319 g	265	n	Feb 2016	699	ebay.com
10.		Canon T6	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	485 g	500	n	Mar 2016	449	ebay.com
11.		Canon SX620	97 mm	57 mm	28 mm	182 g	295	n	May 2016	279	ebay.com
12.		Canon SX720	110 mm	64 mm	36 mm	270 g	250	n	Feb 2016	379	ebay.com
13.		Canon G5 X	112 mm	76 mm	44 mm	353 g	210	n	Oct 2015	799	ebay.com
14.		Canon SX410	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	325 g	185	n	Feb 2015	279	ebay.com
15.		Canon SX610	105 mm	61 mm	27 mm	191 g	270	n	Jan 2015	249	ebay.com
16.		Canon SX710	113 mm	66 mm	35 mm	269 g	230	n	Jan 2015	349	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic ZS70	112 mm	67 mm	41 mm	322 g	380	n	Apr 2017	449	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. 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 SX420 was launched at a lower price than the T7, despite having a lens built in. 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. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have 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 tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon SX420 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Canon T7 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the T7 is 1086 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 1.6. The sensor in the SX420 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the T7 offers a 3:2 aspect.

With 24MP, the T7 offers a higher resolution than the SX420 (19.9MP), but the T7 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.72μm versus 1.19μm for the SX420) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the T7 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 1 month) than the SX420, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the SX420 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon T7 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the T7 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon SX420 are 25.8 x 19.3 inches or 65.4 x 49.1 cm for good quality, 20.6 x 15.5 inches or 52.3 x 39.3 cm for very good quality, and 17.2 x 12.9 inches or 43.6 x 32.7 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon PowerShot SX420 IS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS Rebel T7 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-12800.

In terms of underlying technology, the SX420 is build around a CCD sensor, while the T7 uses a 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.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. 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 SX420	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/25p	20.3	11.7	806	48
2.		Canon T7	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	23.8	13.3	1684	81
3.		Canon SL3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/25p	23.9	13.4	1791	82
4.		Canon T100	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.4	695	63
5.		Canon SX430	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/25p	20.5	11.9	900	49
6.		Canon 77D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.3	971	78
7.		Canon SL2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.4	1041	79
8.		Canon SX730	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.5	11.9	924	50
9.		Canon G7 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.8	11.9	260	62
10.		Canon T6	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.0	11.7	781	66
11.		Canon SX620	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/30p	20.4	11.8	838	49
12.		Canon SX720	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.3	11.8	817	48
13.		Canon G5 X	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.4	12.3	471	62
14.		Canon SX410	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/30p	20.2	11.6	720	47
15.		Canon SX610	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/30p	20.2	11.6	712	47
16.		Canon SX710	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.2	11.6	712	47
17.		Panasonic ZS70	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. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the T7 provides a better video resolution than the SX420. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/30p, while the SX420 is limited to 720/25p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the T7 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the SX420 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon SX420 and Canon T7 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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 SX420	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5/s	Y	Y
2.		Canon T7	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
3.		Canon SL3	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
4.		Canon T100	optical	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
5.		Canon SX430	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5/s	Y	Y
6.		Canon 77D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.0/s	Y	n
7.		Canon SL2	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
8.		Canon SX730	none	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/3200s	5.9/s	Y	Y
9.		Canon G7 X Mark II	none	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	8.0/s	Y	Y
10.		Canon T6	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
11.		Canon SX620	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/2000s	2.5/s	Y	Y
12.		Canon SX720	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	5.9/s	Y	Y
13.		Canon G5 X	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/2000s	5.9/s	Y	Y
14.		Canon SX410	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5/s	Y	Y
15.		Canon SX610	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/2000s	2.5/s	Y	Y
16.		Canon SX710	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	6.0/s	Y	Y
17.		Panasonic ZS70	1166	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
Notes: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the SX420 and the T7 write their files to 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 PowerShot SX420 IS and Canon EOS Rebel T7 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 SX420	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	Y	-
2.		Canon T7	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
3.		Canon SL3	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon T100	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Canon SX430	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	Y	-
6.		Canon 77D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
7.		Canon SL2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
8.		Canon SX730	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
9.		Canon G7 X Mark II	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
10.		Canon T6	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
11.		Canon SX620	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
12.		Canon SX720	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
13.		Canon G5 X	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Canon SX410	-	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Canon SX610	-	- / -	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
16.		Canon SX710	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Panasonic ZS70	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-

It is notable that the T7 has a hotshoe, which makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun. The SX420 does not feature such an accessory-socket.

The T7 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the SX420 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the SX420 was succeeded by the Canon SX430. Further information on the features and operation of the SX420 and T7 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX420 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon T7 Manual.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Canon SX420 better than the Canon T7 or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Ready to shoot: Comes with a built-in lens, while the T7 requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (104x69mm vs 129x101mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the T7).
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in January 2016).

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS Rebel T7:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 19.9MP), which boosts linear resolution by 12%.
• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/30p vs 720/25p).
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 230k dots).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3 vs 0.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More flexible: Makes it possible to change lenses and thus to use specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (500 versus 195) out of a single battery charge.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 1 month of technical progress since the SX420 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the T7 is the clear winner of the contest (14 : 7 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 SX420 and the Canon T7 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the SX420 and the T7 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

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 (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon SX420	..	..	..	..	..	3/5	Jan 2016	299	ebay.com
2.		Canon T7	..	o	3.5/5	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	449	amazon.com
3.		Canon SL3	4/5	o	4.5/5	79/100	4/5	4/5	Apr 2019	599	amazon.com
4.		Canon T100	..	o	3/5	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	399	amazon.com
5.		Canon SX430	..	..	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jan 2017	299	amazon.com
6.		Canon 77D	4.5/5	..	4/5	82/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	899	ebay.com
7.		Canon SL2	4/5	+ +	4/5	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2017	549	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX730	..	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	399	ebay.com
9.		Canon G7 X Mark II	4.5/5	+ +	..	81/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	699	ebay.com
10.		Canon T6	4/5	o	4/5	73/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2016	449	ebay.com
11.		Canon SX620	..	..	..	..	..	4/5	May 2016	279	ebay.com
12.		Canon SX720	..	+	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	379	ebay.com
13.		Canon G5 X	5/5	+ +	..	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2015	799	ebay.com
14.		Canon SX410	..	o	..	..	..	..	Feb 2015	279	ebay.com
15.		Canon SX610	..	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2015	249	ebay.com
16.		Canon SX710	..	+	..	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2015	349	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic ZS70	..	+ +	..	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	449	ebay.com
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. 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

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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