Canon PowerShot Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera, Silver Review

Look, if you need a camera that fits in your pocket but can zoom in on a bird on a faraway branch, the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is your guy. That's the one thing to know. It's a superzoom compact, and that 40x lens is its entire personality. Everything else about this camera is a compromise to make that long lens and small body work, but for grabbing distant shots without hauling a big bag, it's still a solid little tool.

The performance is a mixed bag, but the burst speed was a nice surprise. It can rattle off shots at 10 frames per second, which is pretty snappy for a compact and helps you nail the action on a wildlife shot. Just don't expect the autofocus to keep up perfectly at that speed. The sensor and video quality are firmly in the 'good enough' category, landing in the bottom third of cameras. It gets the job done, but it won't wow you.

At $700, it's a tough sell. You're paying a premium for that compact superzoom design. If the pocket-sized long zoom is your absolute top priority, it might be worth it. But if you can carry something slightly bigger, you'll get a lot more camera for your money.

This camera lives in a weird spot. It's not as capable as an entry-level mirrorless like the Nikon Z30 or Sony ZV-E10, which have much larger sensors and better video for similar money, but they need separate lenses to zoom. Compared to other superzooms, its main trick is being more pocketable. The real question is whether you value size over overall image quality. The Z30 with a kit zoom gives you way better photos and a path to grow, but it won't fit in your jeans.

I can only recommend the PowerShot SX740 HS to a very specific person: someone who travels ultra-light and absolutely must have a massive zoom in a jacket-pocket camera. For everyone else, especially beginners or anyone thinking about video, an entry-level mirrorless like the Nikon Z30 is a smarter buy. You'll get better image quality and a system you won't outgrow as fast.