Our weekly photographic exploration goes beyond any nasty bug, and this time we return to the territory of ultracompact cameras (previously visited with the Fujifilm X100V), looking for an extra dose of superzoom. That brings us to the gates of the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS, the first update in that family to incorporate 4K video support, without sacrificing stability or portability.
If you are reading this in the future, you need to know that the world is going through a COVID-19 pandemic at the time of writing, and any recommendation that requires going out to look for new photographs is automatically on pause. It's a shame, and we don't like it one bit, because we know well that the best photograph of your life is waiting for you. However, isolation does not take away the possibility of exploring the market, comparing specifications, and obtaining the best price-performance ratio.
Last week we studied a fabulous ultracompact like the Fujifilm X100V, but the 1,500 euros on its price tag are not for everyone. Now, suppose you have a third (and a little less) of that budget. Is there anything worth looking at more closely? The folks at Canon tell us yes, and they offer their PowerShot SX740 HS, an ultracompact superzoom with built-in 4K video (the first in this family to do so), and other latest-generation elements.
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS: Multiple possibilities in a small package
Announced originally in July 2018, the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS features a 20.3-megapixel effective CMOS sensor, backed by the eighth-generation DIGIC processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 3,200 without Boost modes, while the shutter speed ranges from 1/3,200 to 15 seconds. The main three-inch screen is tilting 180 degrees (the so-called selfie mode) but not touch-sensitive, with a resolution of 922,000 dots, and the user will have to do everything through it, since there is no viewfinder, nor does it offer the possibility of installing one.
The autofocus system on the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is basic, to such an extent that you virtually have to give full control to the camera. The three main options are Tracking, Subject Selection, and Center, plus manual mode. In other words, mastering the SX740's autofocus requires a good amount of recomposition, and the manual does not hesitate to recommend using a tripod or support for better results. Autofocus systems on superzooms have never been stellar, to say the least, and the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is no exception. Adequate? Yes, but no more than that.
Canon tries to compensate with a photo-by-photo burst of 10 frames per second, although that number drops to 7.4 fps on average with Servo mode enabled. This will allow the user to capture the occasional action or sports scene, even though the camera was not really designed for that. The priority here is and will be its 40x optical zoom with a maximum of 960mm (equiv.), a slow and precise photography over high speed.
The compact design of the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS and the layout of the controls point in the direction of right-hand and thumb use. On the back we find a total of five buttons with a dial that also works as a directional control, and on the top we have the power button, shutter button, zoom lever, video mode button, and of course, the mode dial.
Canon managed to offer a total of eleven modes on its dial. The basic section includes Full Auto and Hybrid Full Auto, Food, Self-Portrait, Sports, Special Scenes "SCN" and Video mode, while the advanced section is reduced to Program Auto "P", Shutter Priority "Tv", Aperture Priority "Av", and Manual "M". For the rest of the details, check its manual.
As mentioned above, the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is the first in the PowerShot family to add 4K video support at 29.97 and 25 fps, accompanied by 1080p at 59.94/50/29.97/25 fps. Considering the market segment it occupies, the final result is not bad at all, especially with the aid of optical stabilization. From a certain point of view, the combination of 4K and 960mm are the features that "sell" the SX740 HS, and it does a good job with both.
Accessories for Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
With a price of 360 euros (or 400 for the silver edition), the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS manages to escape (at least a little) the classic premium that almost all Canon units carry, and today it is positioned as a very competitive option. Good news, since it gives us extra room to add a healthy amount of accessories to our setup.
Batteries and power
The absence of a viewfinder allows the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS to be a bit more efficient, but the physical constraints limit its battery capacity to an average of 265 shots. That means our first recommendation is to add a compatible Gloxy NB-13L module, with the same capacity as the original battery, at half the cost. And if you want to recharge it everywhere, then you should add to the package a Gloxy 2-in-1 charger for Home and Car. We recommend the compatible battery module identified by the code "0712599622,VDTS-4604-CH-0713116009".
Tripods and supports
The optical stabilization in this ultracompact is one of our main allies, but even the manual itself recommends the adoption of a tripod for Canon PowerShot SX740 HS in the most demanding scenes. Today we will just repeat an excellent formula: The Manfrotto Pixi with its fabulous compact design and selfie stick function with closed legs, and the Clampod Takeway T2, definitely overkill for a camera that does not exceed 300 grams (with battery and memory card already installed), but no less interesting for that. It grabs onto anything, and with just 200 grams of weight, you can take it anywhere without difficulty.
Bags and cases
Being such a compact camera with a fixed lens, the truth is we don't need to carry much, but the lack of weather sealing and the extra battery make us pay a little more attention. Fortunately, we have two very solid options at our disposal. The first is the Lowepro Dashpoint 30 bag, with enough space for a DSLR with its lens attached, or an ultracompact with all its accessories. And the second is the Pacsafe Camsafe ZP case, which prioritizes security through a metal reinforcement in its strap, hooks for its zippers, and a normal appearance that doesn't attract much attention.
Memory cards
The 4K support on the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is definitely welcome, but it needs a memory card up to the task... and the best cost-benefit is still in a single model: The SDXC SanDisk Extreme Pro of 128 gigabytes. With 170 megabytes per second read and 90 megabytes per second write, this card will give your Canon everything it needs, and more.
Other accessories
To finish this section, let's let cleaning (so important these days) and creativity go hand in hand. On one hand we have the Gloxy 6-in-1 cleaning kit, which includes liquid, cloth, blower, brush, disposable wipes, and swabs. And on the other, the fabulous PhotoBall K9, which will allow you to get wonderful photographs thanks to its polished surface and an infinite play of light. It can be yours for just 25 euros.
Checkered flag... for now. The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS can serve as a first superzoom, as a casual camera for vlogging, or as a simple 4K recorder, and if we don't stray too far from those parameters, its 360 euros are quite reasonable, since its direct rivals are under the TZ series from Panasonic, and you'll have to pay a little more for them. Good luck!
