Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Review – Updated for 2026

The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS combines a 40x optical zoom with a genuinely pocketable body. Its 24–960mm equivalent lens reaches far beyond a typical phone camera, while the tilting screen, 4K video and wireless connection make it an appealing travel companion.

Quick verdict: the SX740 HS remains useful in 2026 for travellers and families who value zoom range above low-light image quality. It works best outdoors in good light and is especially convenient for distant subjects. Its small sensor, lack of RAW, fixed rear screen controls and high prices during stock shortages reduce its value for enthusiasts.

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Canon PowerShot SX740 HS key features

• 20.3MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor
• 40x optical zoom with a 24–960mm equivalent range
• Optical image stabilisation and Zoom Framing Assist
• 4K video at approximately 30 or 25fps
• Full HD video at up to approximately 60fps
• DIGIC 8 image processor
• 3-inch LCD that tilts upwards by 180 degrees
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Up to 10fps continuous shooting under restricted conditions
• Compact body weighing approximately 299g with battery and card

Design and handling

The SX740 HS measures approximately 110 × 64 × 40mm and is small enough for a coat pocket or compact travel bag. Its body is mostly plastic, but the front grip and rear thumb rest provide a reasonably secure hold for such a small camera.

A mode dial and physical controls give access to automatic, scene and manual exposure modes. This is useful for learning photography, although the small buttons feel crowded compared with those on a mirrorless camera. Our guide to mastering manual camera controls explains how the main settings work together.

The camera includes a small pop-up flash for nearby subjects. It is useful as fill light, but its limited power cannot illuminate distant scenes or subjects at the telephoto end of the lens.

Screen and composition

The 3-inch LCD tilts upwards through 180 degrees for waist-level shooting and self-portraits. It does not articulate sideways or downwards, and it is not touch-sensitive. There is no electronic viewfinder. In strong sunlight, reflections can make the screen difficult to judge, so shade it or use the camera’s display settings where possible.

There is no electronic viewfinder. In strong sunlight, reflections can make the rear display difficult to judge, particularly when following a distant subject. Raising screen brightness helps, but it consumes more battery and is not a complete substitute for a viewfinder.

40x optical zoom

The lens is the main reason to choose the SX740 HS. Its 24mm-equivalent wide end suits buildings, landscapes and groups, while the 960mm-equivalent telephoto end reaches wildlife, aircraft, landmarks and details that most phones cannot frame optically.

Maximum aperture changes from f/3.3 at the wide end to f/6.9 when fully zoomed. This means less light reaches the sensor at long focal lengths, so the camera may raise ISO or select a slower shutter speed. Good daylight becomes increasingly important as the lens extends. Our explanation of camera ISO covers the relationship between sensitivity and image noise.

Zoom Framing Assist temporarily widens the view when the subject is lost. Hold the button, locate and centre the subject, then release it to return to the previous zoom position. This is genuinely useful at the 960mm-equivalent setting, where even a small movement shifts the composition dramatically.

Image stabilisation and telephoto technique

Optical image stabilisation reduces visible camera shake and makes handheld telephoto shooting more practical. It cannot freeze a moving animal or compensate for every movement at maximum zoom, so shutter speed remains important.

Brace the camera against a stable surface, use the continuous shooting mode and take several frames when possible. A compact support can improve consistency; see our guide to travel tripods for situations where carrying a full-size tripod is impractical.

Photo quality

The 20.3MP sensor produces colourful JPEG photographs with useful detail in bright conditions. Automatic white balance and exposure are generally dependable for family and travel photography, while the long lens creates compositions that are impossible with a normal phone camera.

The 1/2.3-inch sensor is small by current camera standards. Fine detail falls as ISO increases, shadow recovery is limited and aggressive noise reduction can soften textures. Modern phones may produce cleaner wide-angle photographs through computational processing, but they cannot match the SX740 HS’s continuous 40x optical range.

Images are recorded as JPEG only. There is no RAW option, so exposure and colour decisions need to be made carefully at capture. The exposure triangle is particularly relevant when balancing shutter speed against noise at the telephoto end.

Autofocus and continuous shooting

Autofocus is quick enough for everyday daylight subjects, faces and general travel use. Performance slows in poor light or when the subject has little contrast. Tracking fast or erratic wildlife at maximum zoom is more challenging than the specification sheet suggests.

The headline continuous rate is up to 10fps, but this applies with focus and exposure locked on the first frame. Continuous autofocus reduces the shooting rate. Buffer depth, card speed and selected mode also affect how long the camera can maintain a burst.

4K and Full HD video

The SX740 HS records 4K UHD at approximately 30fps in NTSC regions or 25fps in PAL mode. Full HD is available at up to approximately 60fps, which is useful for smoother movement and less demanding files.

4K recording applies a substantial crop, making the field of view narrower than it appears in still-photo mode. This can be inconvenient for handheld vlogging at arm’s length. The upward-flipping screen helps with framing, but there is no external microphone input, so sound quality is limited by the built-in stereo microphones.

The camera also provides 4K time-lapse recording. Video is suitable for holidays and family use, but creators who prioritise sound, uncropped wide-angle footage or advanced autofocus should consider a newer video-focused camera.

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Canon Camera Connect

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allow supported photographs to be transferred to a phone through Canon Camera Connect. The app can also provide remote live view and shutter control, while location information from a paired phone can be added to images.

Features depend on the current app, phone operating system and permissions. Canon continues to provide manuals, firmware information and troubleshooting through its official PowerShot SX740 HS support page.

Battery life

The removable NB-13L battery is rated for approximately 265 photographs under standard CIPA conditions, or around 370 in Eco mode. Video, Wi-Fi, screen brightness, reviewing images and frequent zoom operation can reduce real-world endurance.

A spare genuine or reputable compatible battery is sensible for a full travel day. The original SX740 HS supports in-camera USB charging with compatible equipment, although charging arrangements differ with the later Lite Edition.

Original SX740 HS versus SX740 HS Lite

Canon later introduced the PowerShot SX740 HS Lite Edition. Its imaging system, 40x lens and general performance are effectively the same as the original model. The notable difference is that the Lite version removes USB charging, so its battery must be charged using the supplied external charger.

Check the exact product name and package contents before buying. Accessories and charging expectations should not be assumed from photographs of the earlier version.

Availability and pricing in 2026

Compact cameras with long optical zooms have returned to favour, and the SX740 HS has experienced periods of limited stock. Scarcity can push new and used asking prices well above the camera’s original position in the market.

Do not judge value from rarity alone. Compare the asking price with current compact cameras, used one-inch-sensor models and bridge cameras. A bridge camera such as the model discussed in our Nikon Coolpix P1000 review provides dramatically more reach, but it is far larger and heavier.

Independent assessment

An independent Canon PowerShot SX740 HS review found the combination of 40x zoom, 4K recording, good-light image quality and pocketable dimensions compelling for family users, while also noting the missing touchscreen, viewfinder and RAW capture.

Canon PowerShot SX740 HS specifications

• Sensor: 20.3MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS
• Processor: DIGIC 8
• Lens: 4.3–172mm, equivalent to 24–960mm
• Optical zoom: 40x
• Maximum aperture: f/3.3–6.9
• Image stabilisation: optical
• Still format: JPEG; no RAW
• Video: 4K UHD and Full HD
• Screen: 3-inch, upward tilting, non-touch
• Viewfinder: none
• Wireless: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Flash: built-in pop-up flash
• Battery: Canon NB-13L
• Battery rating: approximately 265 shots standard or 370 Eco
• Dimensions: approximately 110 × 64 × 40mm
• Weight: approximately 299g including battery and memory card

Pros and cons

Pros

• Exceptional 24–960mm equivalent range for a pocket camera
• Useful optical stabilisation
• Good daylight photographs
• 4K video and 4K time-lapse
• Upward-tilting screen
• Manual exposure controls
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Compact and light for travel

Cons

• Small sensor struggles in low light
• No RAW capture
• No viewfinder
• Screen is not touch-sensitive
• Noticeable crop in 4K video
• No external microphone input
• 10fps burst has focus limitations
• Scarcity can lead to inflated prices

Is the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS worth buying in 2026?

The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is still a strong travel option when the priority is carrying a 40x optical zoom in a small body. It is well suited to daylight holidays, landmarks, distant details, family events and casual wildlife photography.

It is less convincing for low-light work, serious video, extensive editing or buyers paying an inflated scarcity premium. Purchase it for its lens range and portability, not because it will outperform every modern phone or larger-sensor camera. At a sensible price, its combination of reach and size remains difficult to replace.