Canon PowerShot SX740HS Review: An Easy, Small Camera. We tested the Canon PowerShot SX740HS, which is an updated version of Canon's PowerShot SX730. It has a few more features that will enhance its versatility.
Flip-up screen
In-camera stabilization
Video capabilities for 4K
DIGIC 8 processor
There is no RAW format
There is no microphone input
Fixed zoom lens
Video frame rates up to 60 frames per second
Canon PowerShot SX740HS is a basic camera that records 4K video and captures decent images.
The Canon PowerShot SX740HS HS was purchased by us so that our expert reviewer could fully test it and evaluate it. Continue reading to see our complete product review.
The point-and-shoot market for cameras must adapt to the new world of smartphones. Advanced features can be packed into smaller devices. Canon PowerShot SX740HS compact digital camera produces stunning images and high quality 4K video in an extremely small package. This compact camera was tested to determine if it is worth its price.
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Canon PowerShot SX740HS is a small, point-and-shoot camera that has a solid build. Its all-black body features a rubber grip to aid in handling. The right-hand dials can be reached easily with your thumb.
Canon PowerShot SX740HS can be easily carried in your bag, backpack or pocket. You can carry it easily by attaching a wrist strap. These will be appealing to people who are looking for small, yet powerful form factors.
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This is the Canon SX740 HS for beginners. This three-inch LCD screen has a 180-degree rotating screen. It's ideal for taking photos of you and your friends or self-recording. In our testing, the LDC was bright and excellent for composing shots and videos—this is especially important since the camera lacks an optical viewfinder. Although the Canon SX740HS LCD screen looks great, it does not have touch screen capability. We found it hard to navigate the menu and change settings when recording our own videos. The jog wheel at the back controls menu navigation, which makes it hard to change features and adjust controls on the fly.
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It is easy to set up your Canon SX740 HS. You can start shooting once you have set the date, time and location.
You can also customize additional features by going to the menu page. This includes Shooting Settings and Playback Settings as well as Function Settings and Display Level Settings. You can fine tune the camera using these pages to maximize your photography and video output.
One major frustration we experienced in testing had to do with the 4K video recording—it took us a while to figure out how to enable this feature. To activate this feature, you need to place the camera on Video mode (located at the top of the dial).
Canon PowerShot SX740HS features a 20.3-megapixel, 1-inch CMOS sensor and the improved DIGIC8 image processor. The processors enable the camera to capture stills at up to 7.4 frames per second with continuous autofocusing, and to record 4K video. This camera can render shadows and highlights in dark lighting conditions, thanks to the combination of a better sensor and processor.
Ideal for those who want to explore 4K video without spending a fortune.
We discovered the camera has additional controls that can be used to improve photo quality. Canon PowerShot SX740HS features picture modes that allow you to change the color, saturation and contrast of your images. Despite the updated camera's image processor and 20.3 MP sensor, it can only capture so much detail that the quality of your footage will start to decrease.
The camera can also shoot 4K video, making it ideal for those who want to try 4K without spending a fortune. The future is 4K resolution, which is currently the best quality available. You will be able to enjoy this high-resolution image display on a 4K television or monitor.
This small point-and shoot camera has a lens with a focal range equivalent to 35mm, measuring approximately 24-960mm. This lens is incredibly versatile, and it can be used for macro, long-range, and group photography.
Although the 40x zoom lens image stabilization is excellent, the 4x digital zoom severely degrades image quality. The 4x digital zoom on the camera is not a benefit to the lens.
This lens has a max aperture of f/3.3, and an average zoom range of f/6.9 so it isn't particularly fast. We tested this camera with ordinary household lighting and had to increase the ISO to get the right exposure. The image stabilization feature of this camera means that even longer shutter speeds won't adversely affect the image.
It was quite impressive to see Canon offer 4K capability on such a small point-and shooter. This camera can record 4K video at 30fps with the PowerShot SX740HS, which is an impressive feat. We noticed that the color, detail, and tone of the footage looked sharper than standard HD video when we tested it outdoors.
Considering this camera is geared for travelers, we were disappointed that the PowerShot SX740 HS lacks a panoramic feature—but the 4K capable time-lapse option makes up for it. This camera is a useful tool for filmmakers as it allows you to control things like clip length and shot intervals.
Although 4K can be great, you will need to invest more money to make full use of 4K recording. 4K files can be larger than standard 1080p files and will require fast memory cards capable of recording data at an extremely rapid pace. Although memory cards have become more accessible, they still come at a higher cost when you consider 4K video recording.
Check out these top 4K camera reviews if you are looking for high-resolution video.
We reviewed our photos on a computer and determined that they are best-suited for social media sharing and/or creating small prints to share with family and friends. This is fine to take photos at your child's party or vacation. However, you shouldn't expect to get the same high-quality and super-high-resolution images as a DSLR.
These images are great for sharing on social media or making small prints that you can give to friends and family.
Although the PowerShot SX740 can take photos up to 3200 ISO they are too grainy. The lack of RAW files capabilities limits the possibility to post-edit images. You will need to invest in a higher-end full-frame camera that produces high-quality RAW files and can do fine art photography.
Average sound quality is achieved on the Canon PowerShot SX740HS. We found that a smaller windscreen was the best way to maximize audio quality on this device.
The ambient noise surrounding the subject can be reduced by having the camera near them. The audio is usable if the camera was used for video vlogging or to film yourself close up.
We felt the Canon PowerShot SX740HS would be better equipped with an audio output jack. However, most point-and shoot cameras such as this do not have one. The camera's lack of an audio jack is what we think helps to keep its price low.
No longer do we need to connect the camera to our computer to view our images. Canon PowerShot SX740HS wirelessly connects to both your phone and computer via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This allows you to instantly share and download photos, videos and other media.
To use this feature you will need the Canon Camera Connect app for your smartphone or Canon Image Transfer Utility 2 for your computer. This camera creates a Wi-Fi network to allow wireless transfer of images. You can connect it via Bluetooth.
Wirelessly connects to your computer and smartphone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This allows you to instantly share images and videos.
The Canon app was downloaded to our smartphone and we were able use it remotely for playback and shooting. You can also use the Live View feature to compose photos. It also gave us the ability to instantly transfer photos from the camera to our phone—from there we could text them to friends, upload them to Instagram, or simply save them on our device to look at later.
This feature lets the PowerShot SX740HS integrate with existing technology so that you can easily share photos right after taking them.
This technology is also used by many other point-and shoot cameras. Check out this list to see our recommendations for the top Wi-Fi cameras.
Canon PowerShot SX740HS's battery pack can take 265 shots on a single charge. However, after only a few hours, the rechargeable battery was completely depleted. It is a good idea to carry a couple of battery backups in case you need them.
The LCD screen is the only way to review and compose video, as well as navigation, so battery life can be very short. The processor is also put under a lot of strain when recording in 4K. This makes it twice as difficult to work.
The Canon PowerShot SX740HS is a decently-priced point-and-shoot that can shoot 4K video at $400. The camera's sensor is smaller, but the image quality and video quality are excellent for the cost. The asking price includes Wi-Fi, 180° articulating LCD screens, focus tracking, and in-camera stabilization.
Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II:The Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II is usually sold for $600 to $700. It competes directly with the Canon PowerShot SX740HS. The camera can shoot 1080p video and has a 1 inch 20.3-megapixel sensor. It also features a touchscreen LCD display with 180 degrees of articulation. The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II uses the DIGIC 7 Imaging Processor. However, the bigger sensor gives better detail in photos and video. Additionally, the fast f/1.8 lens compensates for the lack of zoom.
Although the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II may be a bit heavier and bulkier than its predecessor, it has many more features that the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS. Although the touchscreen is luxurious, it is very useful in adjusting the focus point. The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II does not have 4K capability, but it has a great user experience.
GoPro Hero7 Black: If you are looking for a compact camera that can record 4K video, then the GoPro HerO7 Black is a good choice. This popular camera, which retails for just $399 and is often sold for much less, can record 4K video at 60 frames per second. You can record 1080p video at up to 240 frames per second for ultra-slow motion videos.
The HERO7Black also allows users to stream live events. This is great for sharing on social media platforms. The HERO7 Black also features voice control, which is invaluable for adventurers and athletes. It can even unlock advanced features via a smartphone app. While both the Canon as well as the GoPro are small cameras, the GoPro has been designed to be rugged and durable in a different way than the Canon.
Canon PowerShot SX620HS: If 4K video isn't a priority, the Canon PowerShot SX620HS may be a better choice. The camera is $280, but it often goes for much less. This compact camera is a point-and shoot that offers almost the exact same features as PowerShot SX740HS, including the same size sensor and same resolution. However, the SX620HS captures 1080p video and not 4K. The PowerShot SX740HS also lacks the LCD screen with articulation and DIGIC 8 image processing.
The SX620HS HS is a more affordable option for those who don't mind fewer features.
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