Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera, Black {20.3MP}

Canon PowerShot SX740 HS: 40x optical zoom in your pocket.

The SX740 HS packs a 24-960mm equivalent zoom range into a body weighing 275g. That's the core proposition: shirt-pocket portability with telephoto reach that most compact cameras can't touch. The 20.3MP sensor pairs with a DIGIC 8 processor to push continuous shooting to 10 fps, and the Zoom Framing Assist button earns its keep at the long end, hold it down, the lens pulls back wide so you can reacquire a moving subject, release it, and the camera returns to your previous focal length. At 960mm equivalent without a tripod, that's genuinely useful.

Video records at 4K UHD (3840x2160) at 29.97 fps, with full 1080p up to 59.94 fps for smoother motion. The 180-degree tilting 3-inch LCD (922,000 dots) means you can frame self-facing footage without guessing. Bluetooth keeps a persistent low-power link to Canon's Camera Connect app, handling background transfers and GPS geotagging via your phone. Macro focusing reaches as close as 1cm at the wide end, which opens up close-up work that most superzoom compacts skip entirely.

For a camera that fits in a jacket pocket and covers everything from 24mm interiors to 960mm wildlife, the value case writes itself.

Who It's For

Casual birders and wildlife enthusiasts who want real telephoto reach without hauling a long lens will find the 960mm equivalent range and Zoom Framing Assist genuinely practical for tracking birds at park feeders or animals at a distance. Travel photographers covering a full trip with a single pocketable camera benefit from the 24mm wide end for interiors and group shots alongside the long telephoto for architecture details and distant subjects. Food bloggers get a dedicated Food mode and 1cm macro capability for close-up table shots. Travelers shooting social content appreciate the 4K recording and Bluetooth auto-transfer to phone for same-day posting.

Key Features

• 20.3MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with DIGIC 8 processor
• 40x optical zoom spanning 24-960mm equivalent focal range
• Optical Image Stabilizer effective at telephoto and macro distances
• 4K UHD video at 29.97 fps; Full HD up to 59.94 fps
• 10 fps continuous shooting with AF lock in One-Shot mode
• 180-degree tilting 3-inch LCD display with 922,000 dots
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity with Camera Connect app
• Zoom Framing Assist button for subject tracking at 960mm equivalent

FAQ

How much zoom does the SX740 HS actually give you?

40x optical zoom covering 24-960mm equivalent, which means you can frame distant subjects without moving closer. At 960mm, the Zoom Framing Assist button zooms out to help you locate moving subjects, then returns to your framing position when released.

Can you shoot 4K video, and how long can you record?

Yes, 4K UHD at 3840x2160 and 29.97 fps. Full HD records up to 60 fps for smoother motion. 4K uses a 1:1 crop from the sensor's center, reducing the horizontal field-of-view by 1.35x, while 1080p uses the full sensor width and records up to 30-minute clips with effective stabilization.

Does it have optical image stabilization?

Yes. The lens includes Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer, which compensates for camera shake during handheld shooting. This is critical at the telephoto end-at 960mm equivalent, stabilization makes the difference between sharp and unusable handheld frames.

What's the battery life like for a full day of shooting?

CIPA testing rates the NB-13L battery at approximately 265 shots per charge, or 370 shots in ECO mode. For video, expect about 60 minutes continuous (CIPA) or 100 minutes with optimized shooting. Carry a spare battery for travel days.

Can you connect it to your phone for wireless transfers?

Yes. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth pair with Canon's Camera Connect app on Android and iOS. Bluetooth maintains a persistent low-power connection for remote control and automatic background image transfer. Wi-Fi handles larger file transfers when needed, and the app can geotag images using your phone's GPS.

How close can this camera focus for macro shots?

At the wide end of the zoom, macro mode focuses as close as 1cm. At telephoto, minimum focus distance is 2m. The 1cm macro capability on a superzoom is genuinely useful for close-up work most compact cameras skip.

Is the tilting LCD screen good for vlogging?

The 3.0-inch LCD tilts 180 degrees forward, allowing you to frame yourself while recording. The 922,000-dot resolution provides adequate visibility in most light, though bright sunlight requires shading the screen. There's no external microphone input, so audio is limited to the built-in stereo mic.