Canon has just pulled the covers off the Powershot SX740 HS – the brand’s newest compact camera, or as Canon likes to call it a ‘pocket-friendly superzoom’. One first impression, many may dismiss it as yet another compact, but drill down into the specifications and it becomes clear this could well be a solid option for Vloggers or travel photographers looking to get big results from a tiny camera….
One – A massive focal range:
Let’s start with the headline feature, that 40x optical zoom. In practice, this gives the SX740 HS a 35mm equivalent focal length of 24-960mm! The lens has a variable aperture, so at the widest focal length you can use f/3.3 and at the longest, f/6.9 and is built around a 13 elements in 11 groups construction. With such a vast focal length, photographers are covered for pretty much every photo situation; from wide angle landscapes right through to telezoom travel imagery and if you need to get closer, there’s an additional 80x digital zoom feature, too.
Two – Image stabilisation:
With all that huge focal length and such a tiny body, it’s good to know the SX740 HS boasts image stabilisation technology. In fact, the diminutive Powershot offers 3.5-stops of compensation thanks to a 5-axis image stabilisation lens-shift design. This feature should prove useful when shooting at longer focal lengths, which tend to increase the risk of blur.
Three – Decent megapixels:
Canon has not only packed in a 1/2.3 type back-illuminated CMOS sensor that generates 20.3-megapixels, but the SX740 HS also features Canon’s high-tech DIGIC 8 processor engine, which will combine with the sensor to help with image quality and keep digital noise at bay.
Four – 4K video:
Vloggers listen up, the SX740 HS shoots 4k video (3840×2160) at 25 and 30p, enabling videographers to capture ultra high-quality footage, with the files saved as MP4s. If you’re looking for a faster frame rate, the camera can also capture Full HD up to 60p and can record this footage for up to 29 minutes and 59 seconds – perfect for when you’re recording monologues straight to the camera. What’s more, 4K timelapse sequences can be created and photographers can even extract 8-megapixel JPEGs from 4K footage.
Five – Flip screen:
To compliment the 4K video, the SX740 HS features a ‘selfie-friendly’ flip up screen, which tilts up a full 180-degrees. The 3-inch LCD features 922K-dot resolution, covers 100% of the frame and the brightness can be adjusted through five levels, which will come in handy when shooting in bright conditions.
Six – Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:
Canon haven’t scrimped on the SX740 HS’s connectivity options, with the Powershot camera featuring both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology that will enables users to quickly connect up their smart device, transfer images and then upload them to the internet so you can share your photos with the world.
Seven – Speedy shooter:
The SX740 HS is no slouch as it can capture up to 10 frames per second in burst shooting mode. What’s more, the camera also features GPS, Face Detection and the Li-ion battery is good for 265 shots between charges – plus the camera can be recharged via USB, so you can power up on the move.
Eight – Compact dimensions and decent price:
Measuring just 110x63x29 and tipping the scales at just 299g (including battery and memory card), it’s safe to say this is a camera genuinely worthy of the term ‘pocket-friendly). The price-tag for the SX740 HS (which is available in black or silver) isn’t that huge either, with UK photographers set to pay £369, US photographers $399 and European shooters 429Euros when the camera hits the shelves in lates August.