Canon PowerShot SX730 HS Digital Camera, Black {20.3MP}

Canon PowerShot SX730 HS: 40x zoom in a shirt pocket

A 24–960mm equivalent focal range in a body measuring 110 x 64 x 40 mm and weighing 300 grams is the core proposition here. That 40x optical zoom covers everything from wide environmental shots to subjects most cameras couldn't touch without a dedicated telephoto rig. The 20MP BSI-CMOS sensor, processed by DIGIC 6, gives you enough resolution to crop aggressively at the long end, useful when you're locked at 960mm and your subject still isn't filling the frame. Optical image stabilization does real work at those telephoto distances, with tested performance showing usable shots at 1/25 sec fully zoomed in.

The tilting 3-inch, 922,000-dot LCD opens up shooting angles that a fixed screen simply can't reach, overhead crowd shots, low-angle wildlife frames, and flip-up selfie positioning all become practical. Continuous shooting runs at 5.9 fps with focus locked, dropping to 4.6 fps with continuous AF active. Bluetooth pairs with Canon's Camera Connect app to handle remote triggering and GPS geotagging via your phone without burning through Wi-Fi battery overhead. NFC, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, and image transfer round out the connectivity stack. Full HD video records at up to 60p with stereo audio, and the zoom motor is filtered from the microphone input during filming.

For the reach-to-size ratio alone, this camera occupies a specific and well-defined position that larger sensor cameras simply cannot match without adding a bag full of glass.

Who It's For

Parents photographing school sports from the sidelines get 960mm equivalent reach and 5.9 fps continuous shooting in something that fits a jacket pocket. Travel photographers covering markets, architecture, and wildlife on a single trip benefit from the 24mm wide end paired with that extreme telephoto, all in a 300-gram body. Casual macro shooters will find the 1 cm minimum focus distance at wide angle useful for close-up work without a dedicated lens. Social media users who shoot their own content get a functional solution in the tilting LCD paired with Bluetooth remote triggering from a smartphone, no tripod remote required.

Key Features

• 40x optical zoom (24–960mm equivalent focal length)
• 20MP BSI-CMOS sensor with DIGIC 6 processor
• Optical image stabilization delivers five stops compensation at maximum zoom
• Tilting 3-inch LCD with 922K-dot resolution
• 5.9 fps continuous shooting with locked AF
• Bluetooth plus 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi for phone connectivity and remote control
• Full HD video up to 60p with stereo microphone
• NB-13L battery rated 250 CIPA shots (355 in ECO mode)

FAQ

How does the 40x zoom compare to other pocket cameras?

The 24–960mm equivalent focal range outreaches the Panasonic Lumix TZ90 / ZS70's 30x zoom (720mm max), giving you an extra 240mm of reach - useful when your subject is distant and cropping at full resolution isn't enough.

Can you shoot remotely with your phone?

Yes, two ways. Bluetooth provides direct remote triggering via the Camera Connect app with no live preview - just a shutter button, zoom controls, and image review on the camera screen. Wi-Fi offers live view with manual exposure adjustments and AF controls on your phone.

Does the tilting screen actually help with framing?

Significantly. At 960mm equivalent focal length, keeping a subject in frame while handheld is punishing. The flip-up screen opens overhead shots, low angles, and selfie positioning. Pair that with the Framing Assist Seek button (press to zoom out temporarily and relocate), and the ergonomics become workable.

How fast is the continuous shooting, really?

Canon quotes 5.9 fps with locked focus, 4.6 fps with continuous AF. Real-world testing shows the first ten frames hit closer to 7.8 fps, then settle around 6.5 fps as the buffer fills. It's respectable for a compact, though not in the league of cameras with faster processors.

What's the image stabilization like at maximum zoom?

Optical stabilization delivers approximately five stops of compensation at 960mm equivalent. Handheld shots at 1/25 sec fully zoomed are usable - genuinely impressive performance for a pocket camera, though 1/50 or faster is safer for moving subjects.

Can you geotag photos without burning Wi-Fi battery?

Yes. Pair the camera via Bluetooth and enable location logging in the Camera Connect app. Your phone's GPS data automatically tags images as you shoot. Bluetooth stays connected without constantly cycling Wi-Fi on and off, so battery drain is minimal compared to Wi-Fi geotagging workflows.

What's missing compared to the TZ90 / ZS70?

No RAW, no electronic viewfinder, no 4K video, no touch screen, no 10 fps burst speed, and no focus-stacking. The SX730 HS trades those features for longer zoom reach, tilt-screen ergonomics, and Bluetooth connectivity at a lower price point.