Canon PowerShot Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera, Silver Review
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is all about that incredible 40x zoom in a pocket-friendly body. Just be ready to compromise on everything else, especially at its $700 price.
Overview
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.
Performance
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.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- That 40x optical zoom is incredibly fun and useful in a tiny body. 87th
- The 10fps burst shooting is surprisingly quick for a travel zoom. 87th
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth make sharing a snap. 81th
- It's built like a tank for its class, scoring in the 95th percentile. 78th
Cons
- The small sensor means image quality falls apart in low light. 2th
- No image stabilization makes that long zoom shaky without perfect technique. 5th
- The fixed screen and mediocre autofocus make it a terrible choice for vloggers.
- Video quality is just okay, and the lack of a mic input limits it.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Sensor
| Type | 1/2.3"-Type CMOS |
| Size | 1/2.3 inch" |
| Megapixels | 21.1 |
| ISO Range | 100 |
Shooting
| Burst (Mechanical) | 10 |
| Max Shutter | 1/3200 |
Video
| Max Resolution | 4K |
Display & EVF
| Screen Size | 3 |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Articulating | No |
| EVF Resolution | 922000 |
Build
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| USB | USB-2.0 |
| HDMI | Micro HDMI |
| Hot Shoe | No |
Value & Pricing
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.
vs Competition
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.
| Spec | Canon PowerShot Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera, Silver | Sony Alpha 1 Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera with 16-35mm f/2.8 | Nikon Z6 Nikon Z6 III Mirrorless Camera with 28-400mm f/4-8 | Canon EOS R6 Canon EOS R6 Mark III Mirrorless Camera with | Fujifilm X-T5 FUJIFILM X-T5 Mirrorless Camera (Silver) | Panasonic LUMIX GH7 Panasonic LUMIX GH7 Mirrorless Camera with 12-35mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Compact | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | 21.1MP 1/2.3 inch | 50.1MP Full Frame | 24.5MP Full Frame | 32.5MP Full Frame | 40.2MP APS-C | 25.2MP Four Thirds |
| AF Points | - | 759 | 299 | 1053 | 425 | 315 |
| Burst FPS | 10 | 30 | 20 | 40 | 15 | 75 |
| Video | 4K | 8K @120fps | 5K @120fps | 6K @120fps | 6K @60fps | 5K |
| IBIS | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | true | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 275 | 658 | 669 | 590 | 476 | 726 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
Verdict
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.