Canon SX730 vs Panasonic LX7

The Canon PowerShot SX730 HS and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in April 2017 and July 2012. Both the SX730 and the LX7 are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on a 1/2.3-inch (SX730) and a 1/1.7-inch (LX7) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 10 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Canon SX730		Panasonic LX7
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
24-960mm f/3.3-6.9		24-90mm f/1.4-2.3
20.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor		10 MP – 1/1.7" sensor
1080/60p Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 80-3,200		ISO 80-6,400 (80 - 12,800)
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 922k dots		3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
5.9 shutter flaps per second		11 shutter flaps per second
250 shots per battery charge		330 shots per battery charge
110 x 64 x 40 mm, 300 g		111 x 68 x 46 mm, 298 g

Check SX730 offers at
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Check LX7 offers at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7? 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 SX730 and the Panasonic LX7 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 SX730 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the LX7 is also available in two color-versions, but different ones (black, white).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic LX7 is notably larger (7 percent) than the Canon SX730. However, the LX7 is slightly lighter (1 percent) than the SX730. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX730 nor the LX7 are weather-sealed.

Concerning battery life, the SX730 gets 250 shots out of its Canon NB-13L battery, while the LX7 can take 330 images on a single charge of its Panasonic DMW-BCJ13 power pack. The power pack in the SX730 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon SX730	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	300 g	250	n	Apr 2017	US$ 399	ebay.com
2.		Panasonic LX7	111 mm	68 mm	46 mm	298 g	330	n	Jul 2012	US$ 499	ebay.com
3.		Canon G7 X Mark II	106 mm	61 mm	42 mm	319 g	265	n	Feb 2016	US$ 699	ebay.com
4.		Canon G9 X Mark II	98 mm	58 mm	31 mm	206 g	235	n	Jan 2017	US$ 529	ebay.com
5.		Canon G16	109 mm	76 mm	40 mm	356 g	360	n	Aug 2013	US$ 549	ebay.com
6.		Canon SX420	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	325 g	195	n	Jan 2016	US$ 299	ebay.com
7.		Canon SX430	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	323 g	195	n	Jan 2017	US$ 299	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX540	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	442 g	205	n	Jan 2016	US$ 399	ebay.com
9.		Canon SX710	113 mm	66 mm	35 mm	269 g	230	n	Jan 2015	US$ 349	ebay.com
10.		Canon SX720	110 mm	64 mm	36 mm	270 g	250	n	Feb 2016	US$ 379	ebay.com
11.		Canon SX740	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	299 g	265	n	Jul 2018	US$ 399	amazon.com
12.		Fujifilm X-A5	117 mm	68 mm	40 mm	361 g	450	n	Jan 2018	US$ 399	ebay.com
13.		Fujifilm X10	117 mm	70 mm	57 mm	350 g	270	n	Sep 2011	US$ 599	ebay.com
14.		Panasonic GF3	108 mm	67 mm	32 mm	264 g	300	n	Jun 2011	US$ 549	ebay.com
15.		Panasonic GF5	108 mm	67 mm	37 mm	267 g	360	n	Apr 2012	US$ 499	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic LX5	110 mm	65 mm	43 mm	271 g	400	n	Jul 2010	US$ 499	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic TZ90	112 mm	67 mm	41 mm	322 g	380	n	Apr 2017	US$ 449	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

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. 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 SX730 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 20 percent) than the LX7, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. 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 size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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 SX730 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Panasonic LX7 a 1/1.7-inch sensor. The sensor area in the LX7 is 50 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 4.65. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3. The LX7 has the particularity of featuring a switch that allows to toggle between multiple aspect ratios, while maintaining the same field of view and full image resolution.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon SX730 offers a higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 10 MP of the Panasonic LX7. 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 2.05μm for the LX7). However, it should be noted that the SX730 is much more recent (by 4 years and 8 months) than the LX7, 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 SX730 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon SX730 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the SX730 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 Panasonic LX7 are 18.2 x 13.7 inches or 46.3 x 34.7 cm for good quality, 14.6 x 10.9 inches or 37.1 x 27.8 cm for very good quality, and 12.2 x 9.1 inches or 30.9 x 23.2 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon PowerShot SX730 HS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 are ISO 80 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-12800.

In terms of underlying technology, the SX730 is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the LX7 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.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon SX730	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.5	11.9	924	50
2.		Panasonic LX7	1/1.7	10.0	3648	2736	1080/60p	20.7	11.7	147	50
3.		Canon G7 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.8	11.9	260	62
4.		Canon G9 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.9	12.5	522	65
5.		Canon G16	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	21.0	11.7	230	54
6.		Canon SX420	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/25p	20.3	11.7	806	48
7.		Canon SX430	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/25p	20.5	11.9	900	49
8.		Canon SX540	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.3	11.7	806	48
9.		Canon SX710	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.2	11.6	712	47
10.		Canon SX720	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.3	11.8	817	48
11.		Canon SX740	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	20.6	12.1	1050	51
12.		Fujifilm X-A5	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/15p	24.0	13.3	1800	82
13.		Fujifilm X10	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/30p	20.5	11.3	245	50
14.		Panasonic GF3	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60i	20.6	10.1	459	50
15.		Panasonic GF5	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60i	20.5	10.0	573	50
16.		Panasonic LX5	1/1.7	10.0	3648	2736	720/60p	19.6	10.8	132	41
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 cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60p).

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The SX730 and the LX7 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. That said, the LX7 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the DMW-LVF2. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon SX730 and Panasonic LX7 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 SX730	none	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/3200s	5.9/s	Y	Y
2.		Panasonic LX7	optional	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	11.0/s	Y	Y
3.		Canon G7 X Mark II	none	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	8.0/s	Y	Y
4.		Canon G9 X Mark II	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	8.2/s	Y	Y
5.		Canon G16	optical	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.2/s	Y	Y
6.		Canon SX420	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5/s	Y	Y
7.		Canon SX430	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5/s	Y	Y
8.		Canon SX540	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.9/s	Y	Y
9.		Canon SX710	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	6.0/s	Y	Y
10.		Canon SX720	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	5.9/s	Y	Y
11.		Canon SX740	none	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/3200s	10.0/s	Y	Y
12.		Fujifilm X-A5	none	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.0/s	Y	n
13.		Fujifilm X10	optical	n	2.8 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
14.		Panasonic GF3	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	Y	1/4000s	3.2/s	Y	n
15.		Panasonic GF5	none	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
16.		Panasonic LX5	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5/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.

The Panasonic LX7 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 SX730 and the LX7 have zoom lenses built in. The SX730 has a 24-960mm f/3.3-6.9 optic and the LX7 offers a 24-90mm f/1.4-2.3 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Canon and Panasonic provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the Panasonic has less tele-photo reach at the long end. The LX7 offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the SX730 and the LX7 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 SX730 HS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 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 SX730	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
2.		Panasonic LX7	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon G7 X Mark II	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Canon G9 X Mark II	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
5.		Canon G16	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
6.		Canon SX420	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	Y	-
7.		Canon SX430	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	Y	-
8.		Canon SX540	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Canon SX710	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
10.		Canon SX720	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
11.		Canon SX740	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
12.		Fujifilm X-A5	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
13.		Fujifilm X10	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Panasonic GF3	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Panasonic GF5	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Panasonic LX5	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Panasonic TZ90	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-

It is notable that the SX730 offers wifi support, while the LX7 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both the SX730 and the LX7 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The LX7 was replaced by the Panasonic LX10, while the SX730 was followed by the Canon SX730 HS. Further information on the features and operation of the SX730 and LX7 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX730 Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic LX7 Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon SX730 and the Panasonic LX7? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (20.2 vs 10MP) with a 42% higher linear resolution.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• 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.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (20 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 4 years and 8 months of technical progress since the LX7 launch.

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7:

• 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.
• Flexible image proportions: Has a multi-aspect sensor that allows for alternative image shapes.
• More framing options: Can be equipped with a hotshoe-mounted accessory-viewfinder.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/3200s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 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/1.4 vs f/3.3).
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (330 versus 250) out of a single battery charge.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in July 2012).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the LX7 emerges as the winner of the match-up (14 : 11 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 sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape 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 SX730 and the Panasonic LX7 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera and Best Travel-Zoom 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 remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the SX730 or the LX7 perform in practice. 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	Street Price
1.		Canon SX730	..	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	US$ 399	ebay.com
2.		Panasonic LX7	3/5	+ +	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2012	US$ 499	ebay.com
3.		Canon G7 X Mark II	4.5/5	+ +	..	81/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	US$ 699	ebay.com
4.		Canon G9 X Mark II	4/5	..	4/5	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	US$ 529	ebay.com
5.		Canon G16	4/5	+	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	US$ 549	ebay.com
6.		Canon SX420	..	..	..	..	..	3/5	Jan 2016	US$ 299	ebay.com
7.		Canon SX430	..	..	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jan 2017	US$ 299	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX540	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2016	US$ 399	ebay.com
9.		Canon SX710	..	+	..	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2015	US$ 349	ebay.com
10.		Canon SX720	..	+	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	US$ 379	ebay.com
11.		Canon SX740	..	+	3.5/5	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2018	US$ 399	amazon.com
12.		Fujifilm X-A5	..	+	4.1/5	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2018	US$ 399	ebay.com
13.		Fujifilm X10	..	..	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2011	US$ 599	ebay.com
14.		Panasonic GF3	3/5	82/100	..	71/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2011	US$ 549	ebay.com
15.		Panasonic GF5	3/5	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2012	US$ 499	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic LX5	4/5	+	..	73/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2010	US$ 499	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic TZ90	..	+ +	4/5	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	US$ 449	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

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