Key takeaways
- 40x optical zoom with optical image stabilizer and…
- 4K video and 4K time-lapse movie
- 20.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is still one of the best pocketable cameras for one specific job: getting a long zoom into a jacket pocket. Its 40x optical zoom covers roughly 24mm to 960mm in full-frame terms, it shoots 20.3MP stills and 4K video, and it has a flip-up screen for selfies and vlogging. The catch in 2026 is price. Listings often run well above its original launch price of about $400, with the body alone commonly seen around $700 to $800 and bundles around $850 to $950, so it is only worth buying if the zoom reach in a small body is exactly what you need.
If you mainly shoot in low light, want background blur, or care about the best image quality per dollar, a used mirrorless camera or a recent smartphone will serve you better at these prices. If you travel, go on safaris, attend sports events from the stands, or photograph wildlife on walks and refuse to carry a big lens, the SX740 HS still does something phones cannot.
Our top picks
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS- 40x optical zoom with optical image stabilizer and…
- 4K video and 4K time-lapse movie
- 20.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS 20.3MP Digital Camera- Items Included: PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera (Black),…
- Powerful Zoom in Your Pocket: The Canon PowerShot…
- Crisp 20.3MP Sensor with DIGIC 8 Processing: Equipped…
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Who it suits
- Travelers who want wide landscapes and distant architecture details from one small camera.
- Casual wildlife and bird watchers who need reach in good light.
- Parents at school events and sports shot from a distance.
- Older users who want a simple, light camera with a real zoom lever.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you shoot mostly indoors or at night, need RAW files for heavy editing, or want an electronic viewfinder for bright sun. The small sensor and lack of a viewfinder are real limits.
Key specs
| Spec | Canon PowerShot SX740 HS |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 20.3MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS |
| Processor | DIGIC 8 |
| Optical zoom | 40x (about 24–960mm equivalent) |
| Video | 4K at up to 30p, Full HD at up to 60p |
| Screen | 3-inch LCD, tilts 180 degrees for selfies |
| Viewfinder | None |
| Burst shooting | Up to about 10 fps |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth |
| File format | JPEG (no RAW) |
| Typical price range | Body about $700–$800; bundles about $850–$950 |
What stands out
The zoom range
Going from 24mm wide to 960mm telephoto in a camera that fits in a coat pocket is the whole story. At the long end, distant animals, stadium action and building details fill the frame. Image stabilization helps, but at 960mm you still need steady hands, good light or a support such as a railing.
Small size
The SX740 HS is compact enough to live in a bag every day. Interchangeable-lens cameras with similar reach require large, heavy telephoto lenses that most people will leave at home.
4K video and flip screen
4K recording and a screen that flips up 180 degrees make it a capable travel vlogging camera in good light. The zoom gives video options a phone does not have.
Easy sharing
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allow transfer to a phone through Canon’s app for quick sharing while traveling.
Trade-offs
- Small sensor. The 1/2.3-inch sensor is similar in size to older phone sensors. Noise rises quickly in dim light, and backgrounds stay mostly in focus.
- No viewfinder. Framing at 960mm on an LCD in bright sun is hard. Many owners brace their elbows against their body.
- No RAW. JPEG only limits editing latitude.
- Battery life. A small battery and 4K video drain power fast. Carry a spare.
- High current pricing. Market prices have climbed well above the original launch price, which hurts value.
- No microphone input. Audio relies on the built-in mic, so wind noise can be an issue for vloggers.
SX740 HS vs a smartphone
| Factor | SX740 HS | Recent flagship phone |
|---|---|---|
| Optical reach | Up to 960mm equivalent | Typically up to about 120–240mm equivalent |
| Low-light stills | Weaker | Stronger, helped by computational processing |
| Long-zoom detail | Much better | Digital zoom beyond the telephoto lens loses detail |
| Ease of sharing | Via app transfer | Instant |
The SX740 HS earns its place only when you need the long end of that zoom regularly.
Usage tips
- Use the zoom framing assist button to find subjects again when you lose them at long focal lengths.
- Keep shutter speeds high at full zoom in daylight. Sports mode or shutter priority helps freeze motion.
- Brace the camera. Lean on a wall, rest on a fence or use a small tripod for the sharpest telephoto shots.
- Carry spare batteries and a fast SD card rated for 4K video.
- Stay at base ISO when possible to minimize noise from the small sensor.
Alternatives at similar prices
At the SX740 HS’s current market price, two alternatives deserve a look. A used or entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera with a kit zoom delivers far better low-light quality and background blur, though it is bigger and cannot match 960mm reach without an expensive lens. A larger bridge camera with a bigger sensor or an electronic viewfinder improves framing and image quality but will not fit in a pocket. The SX740 HS remains the choice only when pocketability and extreme zoom both matter.
Which listing to choose
The body-only SX740 HS is the better buy if you already own a spare battery, memory card and case. The bundle usually adds accessories like these and typically costs about $100 to $150 more. Compare the bundle contents carefully, because accessory quality varies.
Quick answers
Is the SX740 HS still worth it in 2026?
Only for buyers who need 40x zoom in a pocket camera. At current market prices, most other photographers get better value from a phone or a used interchangeable-lens camera.
Is it good for vlogging?
In daylight, yes, thanks to 4K and the flip screen. The lack of a mic input and weak low-light performance limit it indoors.
Why is it priced above its launch price?
Demand for compact superzoom cameras has outpaced supply in recent years, pushing market prices up. Prices fluctuate, so compare sellers before buying.
