Canon PowerShot N100 vs Canon PowerShot SX740 HS: A Deep Dive for Photography Enthusiasts

When it comes to compact Canon cameras, two models - the PowerShot N100, released in early 2014, and the more recent PowerShot SX740 HS from mid-2018 - offer very different propositions despite sharing the same brand lineage. I’ve tested both extensively under varied shooting conditions over the years, putting them through real-world photographic trials to evaluate what kinds of shooters each best serves today.

In this comprehensive comparison, I’ll walk you through their design and handling, image quality nuances, autofocus and performance, video capabilities, and more. Whether you’re a travel shooter hunting for lightweight versatility, an occasional snapshooter wanting simplicity, or a hobbyist craving reach and zoom, my goal is to help you pick confidently. Let’s jump in.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Design, and Ergonomics

On the surface, both cameras sit in the compact or "point-and-shoot" category - but their handling characters differ substantially.

Right off the bat, the Canon N100 is the smaller and bit more pocketable option at 105x68x36 mm and a weight of 289g (including battery). Its fixed zoom covers an effective focal range from 24 to 120mm (in 35mm terms), which favors wide-angle and moderate telephoto shots - ideal for casual city snaps or portraits.

The Canon SX740 HS tips the scales very slightly heavier (299g) and is physically a little larger at 110x64x40mm. What it lacks in pocket depth it gains in sheer zoom power: a whopping 24-960mm equivalent 40x zoom lens. This is a defining feature for those looking to capture distant wildlife, far-off architectural details, or dramatic telephoto compression effects.

Ergonomically, both cameras rely on plastic bodies, with a comfortable but simple grip. Neither features weather sealing, ruling out harsh environmental use. The N100’s rounded edges and minimalistic controls make it a cute, straightforward companion - perhaps better suited for beginners or those who prefer to shoot with less toggling.

Looking at control layouts, the N100 lacks physical dials for exposure modes and instead relies entirely on auto and scene modes, limiting manual tweaking options. The SX740 HS, meanwhile, adds more explicit manual controls including shutter and aperture priority, and full manual mode - a big plus for those wanting exposure flexibility out of a compact.

From the top, the SX740 sports a dedicated zoom lever and mode dial, while the N100 keeps controls minimal. The latter’s touchscreen interface is more tactile with gestures, whereas the SX740 surprisingly omits touchscreen capability, opting for traditional button navigation.

Sensor and Image Quality: Understanding the Heart of the Cameras

An essential determinant of image performance lies in sensor technology and associated processor engines.

The Canon N100 uses an older 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm with a surface area of about 41.52 mm², and a resolution capped at 12MP. The DIGIC 6 processor powers the image processing pipeline. Although this sensor size is modest, the slightly larger sensor area compared to the SX740’s sensor means it inherently gathers more light per pixel - an advantage for low-light and dynamic range performance.

The Canon SX740 HS comes equipped with a smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, 28.07 mm²), yet it delivers 20.3MP resolution paired with DIGIC 8. Backside illumination helps somewhat at higher ISOs, but the smaller sensor size means noise performance and dynamic range generally trail the N100, especially since pixel density is much higher (which can increase noise per pixel).

In practical shooting scenarios, the N100 produces images with pleasingly smooth gradients and more natural color transitions, especially in medium to low light. The SX740, while delivering higher resolution, occasionally shows more noise at ISO 800 and above, and its dynamic range limitations can clip highlights in brightly lit scenes.

Screen and Viewfinder Differences: What We See Matters

An often underrated aspect when choosing a compact camera is the usability of the rear LCD and the presence or absence of a viewfinder.

Both cameras feature a 3.0-inch tilting screen with identical 922k-dot resolution. The N100’s screen is a capacitive touchscreen (TFT PureColor II G), facilitating touch focus and intuitive menu navigation - a considerable asset for those who prefer smartphone-style interaction.

The SX740 HS, conversely, does not support touchscreen input; navigation is purely through physical buttons. Its tilt mechanism allows versatile shooting angles, which is quite handy for overhead or low-to-ground shots - including some types of street and travel photography.

Neither camera provides an electronic viewfinder, making their screens the sole means of image composition. In bright daylight, both can struggle with reflections, but the N100’s panel offers better visibility due to its slightly higher-quality anti-reflective coating.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy Under Pressure

Now, onto one of the most critical areas for dynamic photography - autofocus and continuous shooting.

The Canon N100 employs a contrast-detection AF system with 9 focus points. It offers touch AF on its screen, center-weighted metering, and some basic face detection but does not include eye detection or continuous AF tracking. The continuous shooting rate isn’t officially specified but tends to be quite slow and unsuitable for fast action sequences.

The SX740 HS steps up here with more advanced autofocus capabilities, including face detection, AF tracking, and continuous autofocus during burst shooting. It can shoot at up to 10 frames per second - quite nimble for a compact - providing sufficient frame rates for casual sports or wildlife bursts. While it still uses contrast detection rather than phase detection, its latest DIGIC 8 processor results in snappier and more reliable AF lock.

In practical terms, I found the SX740 HS’s autofocus system to be faster, more accurate in continuously moving subjects, and more accommodating for tracking animals or players in sports. The N100 feels better suited for static compositions, portraits, or landscapes where autofocus speed is not paramount.

Specialized Photography Use Cases: How Do These Cameras Perform Across Genres?

With the basics covered, let’s map these outcomes to specific photography types.

Portrait Photography

The N100’s bright f/1.8 aperture at wide-angle lets in decent light indoors and offers smooth background separation for flattering bokeh portraits, within its 24-120mm range. The touchscreen-based face detection helps with focus accuracy on eyes, though there is no eye detection - which is acceptable given the camera’s age.

The SX740 HS, while lacking a fast lens, offers longer reach and can do decent portraits at telephoto focal lengths, compressing features nicely, but its slower maximum aperture (f/3.3 at wide, f/6.9 at telephoto) means indoor portraits require good lighting or higher ISO with noise tradeoffs.

Landscape Photography

The N100’s larger sensor and wider aperture lens edge it ahead for landscapes, delivering richer color gradation and deeper blacks. However, limited zoom restricts framing adjustments.

The SX740 HS compensates with massive 40x zoom ideal for distant landscape details, but smaller sensor limits dynamic range and image quality. Neither camera offers weather sealing, diminishing confidence for rugged outdoor shoots in wet conditions.

Wildlife Photography

Here, the SX740 HS steals the lead with its 960mm equivalent lens and continuous AF tracking capabilities. Its 10fps burst is decent for capturing fleeting animal movements.

The N100's limited zoom and lack of continuous AF render it suboptimal for wildlife.

Sports Photography

The SX740 HS again is better equipped - manual exposure modes, faster burst, AF tracking - but falling short compared to dedicated APS-C or full-frame cameras.

The N100 is ill-suited for sports, given its slower AF and fixed shooting modes.

Street Photography

The N100’s smaller size and quiet operation, coupled with its quick touchscreen AF, make it more discreet for candid street shots. Its limited zoom encourages getting close and personal, aligning with street photography ethos.

The SX740 HS isn’t quite as pocketable and risks looking bulkier, though the zoom is handy if you want to shoot from a distance.

Macro Photography

SX740 HS supports focusing as close as 1cm, offering some real macro potential, aided by optical stabilization.

The N100 does not specify a dedicated macro feature and has less close-focusing ability.

Night and Astro Photography

The N100’s larger sensor and lower base ISO (80) advantage translate to better noise control in low-light.

Both cameras lack long exposure modes or built-in bulb mode.

SX740’s maximum ISO tops at 3200 vs N100’s 6400, but noise and dynamic range favor N100 in night scenes.

Video Capabilities

The SX740 HS is the clear choice for video: 4K UHD at 30fps, electronic stabilization, and time-lapse recording offer great versatility for casual video shooters.

The N100 maxes out at HD 720p at 30fps with an external mic input - respectable for its time but limited today.

Camera Durability, Battery Life, and Connectivity

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or rugged durability features.

Battery life is respectable on the N100 (approx. 330 shots per charge) versus the SX740’s slightly shorter endurance (around 265 shots). Having a USB 2.0 interface on both means file transfer speeds won’t excite power users.

Wireless transfer capabilities differ: Both cameras have built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, though the SX740 HS also adds Bluetooth connectivity, allowing more flexible remote shooting and pairing with mobile devices.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Both cameras use fixed zoom lenses, so there’s no option to swap lenses. This is common for compacts but limits adaptability. You either live with the provided zoom ranges or look elsewhere (e.g., mirrorless systems) for interchangeable lenses.

You can, however, add accessories such as external microphones only on the N100.

Putting It All Together: Overall Ratings and Recommendations

The Canon N100, an early battery-pack compact with a focus on ease and decent image quality, excels for beginners looking for an intuitive camera that handles portraits, street, and landscapes reasonably well with an engaging touchscreen.

The Canon SX740 HS, on the other hand, targets enthusiasts craving reach and well-rounded video features. Its 40x zoom is a compelling argument for wildlife and travel, and the improved AF and manual controls widen creative horizons.

Who Should Buy the Canon N100?

• Casual photographers prioritizing simplicity over complexity
• Those wanting a compact form with a touchscreen interface
• Street shooters wanting a discreet and quick capture tool
• Budget-minded users prioritizing image quality in ambient light over zoom

Who Should Buy the Canon SX740 HS?

• Enthusiasts desiring an all-in-one travel camera that covers wide to super telephoto
• Hobbyists needing 4K video and time-lapse capabilities
• Sports and wildlife shooters who require faster autofocus and burst shooting
• Users comfortable with button navigation and manual exposures

Final Thoughts: Making the Choice Based on Your Photography Style

While these two Canon compacts share the same brand DNA, they cater to different user profiles and shooting needs. The 2014 Canon PowerShot N100 remains a solid choice for photographers seeking image quality and ease within a classic compact chassis and minimal zoom. By contrast, the 2018 Canon PowerShot SX740 HS embraces versatility and reach, favoring those who want telephoto flexibility, 4K video, and more manual control options in a slightly larger form.

Think carefully about your priorities: do you value a larger sensor, touchscreen, and more classic photo modes? Or do you demand extensive zoom, faster autofocus, and the ability to dabble in video? Both have their charm, but each shines brightest in different photographic domains.

Sample Images: Side-by-Side Real-World Shots

To round out this comparison, here is a gallery of sample photos captured with each camera in various scenarios - portrait, landscape, wildlife, urban, and more.

Canon N100 screen back Canon SX740 HS front Canon SX740 HS screen back

In my experience, choosing between these two is less about outright “better” and more about “best match” for your shooting life. Neither replaces the need for higher-end cameras when ultimate quality or speed is required, but both offer fun, capable entry points into Canon’s compact ecosystem. I hope this analysis gives you the clarity to select the right fit.

Happy shooting!