• Powerful 40x Optical Zoom with Intelligent IS helps optimize image stabilization for virtually shake-free images.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC allows for easy sharing and transferring of images and videos.
  • 20.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor with DIGIC 6 Image Processor helps deliver stunning image quality even in low light.
  • Capture spectacular 1080p Full HD video at 60p with stereo sound.
  • Large 3.0-inch LCD (approx. 922,000 dots) allows easy viewing even from a wide angle.

First, the camera takes amazing photos, and the optical zoom is incredible. However, I ran into a problem when I tried to get the images off the camera. I have Mac computer running High Sierra with just about every kind of USB cable that exists connected to it. However, when I connected the Powershot SX720 to my Mac I was unable to see the camera, so I couldn't transfer any images. That set me off on an 8+ hour research journey (adventure?) trying to figure out how to transfer files from the Camera to my Mac. Here's what I learned... The paper manual that comes with the camera is not the full manual. For the full manual, you have to get the electronic version from the Canon website. The Wi-Fi transfer features require that you use the Canon cloud-based gateway. This is a deal-breaker for me as I value my personal information and privacy. You will see references to something called "Camera Window", which is the name of the software from Canon that goes on your computer. The software is pretty junky, but it works if you have the right USB cable. You CAN transfer images from the camera to a Mac using a USB cable; you just need to find the right cable. Unfortunately the camera didn't come with a cable, so you'll have to buy it separately. After trying about a dozen cables (from my cable drawer next to my computer), I finally found one from Logitech that worked with the camera. With this cable I'm able to charge the battery while it's in the camera, and I can transfer images from the SD card that's in the camera. Pretty cool, except for the fact I had to learn these things on my own. The manual as well as the Canon web site were worthless. Also, their software isn't that great either. However, the camera is pretty sweet and I'm going to keep it. BTW, despite buying the camera in April 2018, it was not running the latest firmware which was released in 2016. I was eventually able to update the firmware via the SD card and the instructions, but it took numerous attempts before the "Firm Update..." option appeared in the camera menu. I did learn that the menu option will NOT appear if you have the USB cable attached.

Here is what I like: ~Very good photo quality, with sharp detail and accurate colors ~Good video quality, with only a little noise from the zoom motor. ~Flash evenly distributes light ~Image Stabilizer is very effective, for both photos and videos ~Full manual controls are available (photos only) ~Menus are very easy to use ~Plenty of features ~40x zoom is the longest I've ever seen in a camera that can fit in your pocket! ~Canon's unique "Zoom Assist" feature is very helpful when I'm photographing birds that are constantly flying out of my screen's view. ~LCD screen is big and clear ~"ECO" mode will turn off the camera's screen after the it's not been used for awhile and bring it back on at the press of any button; that's great for saving battery power! It can be turned on or off. ~Video record button is conveniently placed on the top of the camera. Here is what I don't like: ~There is no panorama mode, which is surprising because most other cameras have one. I do miss having it, but it can be overlooked. ~The "Sport" mode is useless because although most cameras' sport modes boost the shutter speed to help you capture fast-moving subjects, all this one does is turn on continuous shooting, which is already available in the other modes! That doesn't make any sense, but it's not a big problem because I can set shutter speed manually in Tv mode. Overall, there are way more good points than bad, and I am so happy I chose this camera! J. M. B.

Just received this from my husband as a gift. I'm an arthritic old lady who loves to photograph wildlife, especially birds. I've been walking around with an SX710 in my pocket for months and love being able to quickly pull my camera out of my pocket, take a telephoto picture, upload it to my cell phone, and post it online in a matter of a couple of minutes. The SX720 does all that even better. The longer optical zoom is great, and the inage stabilization is noticely better with the SX720. The camera and wifi interface is identical for both cameras, so if you are accustomed to the SX710 there is no learning curve at all when you upgrade. And last but not least, the SX720 seems to be a trifle smaller and lighter than the 710.

I love this camera! Especially the zoom is amazing. If you take the camera to a concert you can shoot close-ups of the band and the pictures look amazing even from 100 yards away (see the 3 pictures from the same concert). It's so light and compact that I don't even use my DSLR anymore!

Perfect small camera with incredible zoom. This is just the thing for nature lovers who love to zoom but don't want to haul heavy equipment all day. I love mine and have been using it for several weeks. I bought it at Best Buy (sorry Amazon) because they carry it in red. The dragonfly was about 15ft away. I was very impressed with the clarity. I'm an amateur photographer with quite a few cameras and this is my current favorite.

THe Cannon Shot 720x is an amazing camera. I have shelved my larger more sophisticated ones. I have had the Powershot series for several years now, and the amateur photos I take with it, have earned me 4 awards including "grand prize" and "people's choice" in 2 years, against professional photographers with much more complicated equipment. This camera is lighter and more compact that its predecessor model with a better zoom. It also take better landscape photos. The Image World is also first rate to deal with, I did have an issue with the first camera sent, and the staff of The Image World have been quick to respond and are sending a new replacement. I take wild life photos and there is often no time for set up, so if you want an amazing wild life or people shot taken with a great zoom, this is the camera.

I am very happy with this camera. It's light weight makes it easy to toss in your purse or pocket. Does a great job of zoom with clarity, especially for the size of this little camera. Scene options are not as user friendly as I am used to on my old Olympus, but other than that, I wouldn't trade this camera for anything. Needed a quality compact camera for a once in a lifetime trip though Honor Flight to Washington DC with my dad (one day flight free to US veterans of wars WWI, WWII, Korean, that now includes Vietnam). The creative option is pretty fun to use. Never know what the camera will do with your photo. You still get what you want as a photo but creative option tosses in a handful of other filter adapted shots for you to toy with. I recommend this camera for anyone looking for a reliable, good camera. Also does a nice job with video! Best camera I have had thus far.

This is a superb camera. I grew tired of always having to lug around one of my DSLRs anytime I went out so I started looking at a few Point and Shoot options. I decided to buy the Canon Powershot 720 HS after reading some of the reviews on Amazon, and I am extremely satisfied with my purchase. The camera is compact and elegant and feels wonderful in your hand. It is a fully manual camera that allows you to set the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, which is exactly what I was looking for in a Point and Shoot. The camera has a 40X zoom lens, but do not try to zoom out too far without mounting the camera on a tripod or stabilizing it another way. The image quality is excellent, and if you don’t tell anyone the images came from a Point and Shoot, they’d easily think they came from a mid-range DSLR with a good lens. I’ve had the camera now for a few weeks, and I’ve tested it both in the daytime and nighttime. In bright daylight, images come out crisp and richly saturated. At night, the camera performs well, especially if you use a tripod. I rarely use any of my DSLRs at night without a tripod unless I’m using a lens with a really wide aperture, so I’ve grown accustomed to mounting my cameras on tripods. You can get very sharp, high-quality images with this camera at night if you mount the camera. You’re able to do exposures lasting up to 15 seconds, and the images look great. I have not tested the video capabilities of the camera yet, but I will get to it eventually. For me, video capture is a nice option to have, but not something I am really interested in at this point. My main focus (pun intended) is taking still images. If you’re looking for a high-quality, elegant Point and Shoot, this is the camera. I am planning on traveling a lot soon, and I think I am going to leave home all of my DSLRs and lenses and just bring this camera with me. Sometimes less is more, especially with a powerful little camera like this one.

You can spend thousands of dollars on photography equipment and in my layman's opinion not produce a better pic than this camera. Love the super zoom on this bad boy. Only issue is the shutter door is defective and I have to mess around with it to fully open and close it...