Canon PowerShot SX240 HS vs SX730 HS: A Detailed Comparison for Serious Users

Choosing a small sensor superzoom camera entails balancing optical reach, sensor capability, handling, and modern connectivity features. Canon’s PowerShot series has long served enthusiasts seeking compact versatility with extensive zoom ranges. The Canon SX240 HS, announced in early 2012, and its 2017 successor the SX730 HS both target this niche - but their five-year evolution reflects notable technological progress as well as compromises tied to their compact designs.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras across years in diverse shooting conditions, this comparison focuses on practical usability, image quality nuances, and workflow considerations that matter most to discerning users. From sensor behavior to autofocus performance, plus the ergonomics demanded by varying shooting styles, this analysis guides you through the core distinctions of these two Canon superzooms.

Body Design and Handling: Compact Convenience Meets Control Limitations

The Canon SX240 HS and SX730 HS both adopt compact form factors emphasizing portability; however, subtle dimensional and handling differences impact real-world comfort and steadiness.

• Canon SX240 HS:
  Dimensions measure 106 × 61 × 33 mm and weigh a mere 224 g. The lightweight build favors casual travel and impromptu captures but can feel slightly unstable when shooting at longer focal lengths, due to less substantial grip contours. The controls are straightforward with limited customizability, suitable for users desiring a simple interface without overwhelming dials or buttons.

• Canon SX730 HS:
  Slightly larger at 110 × 64 × 40 mm and 300 g, the SX730 HS adds heft that contributes to steadier handling, especially when employing its 40x zoom. The thicker body accommodates a tilting rear LCD and a broader control layout, which generally improves operational speed and tactile feedback. Although still fundamentally a pocket-friendly design, this model better balances compactness with grip security.

Neither camera includes a viewfinder, which is a notable consideration in bright outdoor shooting. This heightens reliance on their respective LCD screens.

Screen and Viewfinder Analysis: From Fixed LCD to Tilting Flexibility

Screen technology directly influences compositional workflow and on-the-go usability.

The SX730 HS’s higher-resolution tilting screen offers more precise framing and review capabilities. Its articulating mechanism enhances shooting versatility - particularly for low-angle or selfie-style captures, which the SX240 HS cannot accommodate.

However, both cameras lack electronic viewfinders (EVFs), which restricts compositional reliability in direct sunlight. This might be a decisive negative for users expecting complete control in variable lighting conditions.

Sensor and Image Quality: Resolution Gains and Noise Handling

Both cameras utilize the same physical sensor size: a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with an area of 28.07 mm², a standard in compact superzooms offering significant zoom without bulk. Despite this shared baseline, sensor improvements and processing upgrades yield markedly different image outcomes:

Sensor Resolution: The SX730 HS’s 20.3 megapixels produce finer detail and allow for larger print sizes or cropping flexibility. In contrast, the SX240 HS’s 12 MP sensor offers less resolution, limiting output size and post-crop options.

Noise Performance: Though neither support RAW, indicating a limitation in post-processing latitude, the SX730 HS benefits from the DIGIC 6 processor with advanced noise reduction algorithms, enabling cleaner high ISO performance. The SX240 HS’s DIGIC 5 processor lags in low-light noise suppression.

In real-world testing, the SX730 HS showed more detail retention and less visible noise at ISO 800 and above, broadening its usability for dim scenarios and indoor shooting.

Although both include anti-aliasing filters, the increase in sensor resolution on the SX730 HS marginally reduces potential moiré and aliasing artifacts, enhancing overall image fidelity.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: From Moderate to Extensive Reach

Lens performance directly impacts versatility, especially for superzoom cameras catering to multiple genres.

The SX730 HS offers nearly double the telephoto reach, ideal for wildlife, sports, or distant landscapes where maximum zoom is imperative. Although the maximum aperture narrows slightly at the long end (f/6.9 vs. f/6.8), this difference is negligible practically.

Conversely, the SX240 HS provides a modest 20x zoom, which generally yields higher optical quality per millimeter of focal length, owing to simpler lens construction and fewer compromises for ultra-telephoto reach.

The SX730 HS has a significantly improved macro focus capability, allowing subjects as close as 1 cm for detailed close-ups, compared to 5 cm on the SX240 HS. This creates greater creative flexibility in flower, insect, or product photography.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Practical Limitations

Both models use contrast-detection AF with nine focus points; however, their AF performance diverges due to processor improvements and interface refinements.

The SX730 HS’s utilization of live view AF and an advanced DIGIC 6 processor improves consistency and tracking responsiveness. In challenging low light and fast-moving subjects - such as wildlife and sports events - this camera exhibits superior AF acquisition and subject retention.

The SX240 HS’s AF system occasionally hesitates in low contrast or dynamic scenes, resulting in slower focus lock and greater hunting. For still life or controlled portraits, both perform acceptably, but the SX730 HS is more reliable in spontaneous street or action photography.

Continuous Shooting and Burst Rates: Capturing Decisive Moments

Continuous shooting capacity is fundamental for sports, wildlife, and action scenarios:

• SX240 HS: Offers a modest 2 fps continuous shooting rate, constrained by DIGIC 5 processing and buffer size, limiting capture sequences to short bursts.

• SX730 HS: Records at 5.9 fps, nearly tripling the burst capability, improving the odds of securing peak action frames. This higher frame rate, combined with faster AF response, suits volume shooting disciplines better.

Neither model supports advanced burst modes such as silent shutters or high-speed electronic bursts, somewhat limiting their use as professional action cameras.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Performance

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization, a beneficial inclusion given the substantial zoom ranges:

• SX240 HS: Optical IS helps reduce blur at extended focal lengths and slower shutter speeds. Still, its older stabilization system offers moderate correction and less effective performance in handheld low-light night conditions.

• SX730 HS: Updated optical IS coupled with advanced processing enhances frame stabilization, permitting sharper images up to significantly longer exposures hand-held. This facilitates more dependable night photography and telephoto shooting without tripod dependence.

Low light limits are defined partly by sensor performance and aperture. Neither model delivers impressive high ISO capability due to small sensor size constraints, but the SX730 HS’s improved processor yields visibly cleaner images up to ISO 1600 than the SX240 HS.

Flash and Exposure Control

Built-in flash systems are conservative:

• SX240 HS: Flash range up to 3.5 m with modes including Auto, On, Off, Red Eye Reduction, and Slow Sync.

• SX730 HS: Slightly improved flash range rated at 4.0 m, with similar modes but excludes red-eye reduction.

Neither camera supports external flash units, which constrains control for portrait or event photographers seeking off-camera flash flexibility.

Both cameras offer standard exposure modes (Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual), exposure compensation, and basic metering options including spot and center-weighted modes. These provide adequate creative control but may frustrate users demanding advanced bracketing or fine-grained metering intricacies.

Video Capabilities: HD-Level but No 4K

Neither camera supports 4K video capture. Both record full HD (1920×1080) video, but with different frame rates and codecs:

• SX240 HS: Up to 1080p at 24 fps in H.264 format; additionally offers slow-motion at lower resolutions (120 fps at 640x480).

• SX730 HS: Capable of 1080p at 60 fps, providing smoother motion representation, with MPEG-4 and H.264 encoding.

Neither model includes microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio control and monitoring. Video stabilization is present but cannot fully compensate for handheld motion under extreme zoom.

For casual video work or social media content, the SX730 HS is better suited thanks to its higher frame rate and better processing.

Battery Performance and Storage

• SX240 HS: Uses Canon NB-6L battery, rated for approximately 230 shots per charge under CIPA standards.

• SX730 HS: Employs an unspecified battery pack with around 250 shots per charge.

Battery longevity in these models is average for superzoom compacts, necessitating spares or charging accessories on longer outings.

Both cameras utilize a single SD/SDHC/SDXC slot, the industry standard allowing flexible capacity and cost savings as high-capacity cards have become affordable.

Connectivity and Modern Features

• SX240 HS: Lacks wireless connectivity options, which restricts remote control, wireless transfer, and smartphone integration.

• SX730 HS: Includes built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC for seamless image sharing and remote operation via Canon’s Camera Connect app.

This difference is significant for users requiring instant social media uploads, backup workflow, or remote shooting, aligning with modern expectations.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or shockproofing. Given their compact plastic builds, these cameras cater to careful general use rather than rugged outdoor usage.

Detailed Performance Summary and Ratings

Below is a comprehensive scoring overview synthesized from real-world tests factoring sensor performance, autofocus efficiency, ergonomics, and versatility:

How These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

• SX240 HS: Produces natural skin tones with acceptable bokeh at telephoto; limited by 12 MP resolution and no RAW output. Face detection improves framing but autofocus can lag in dim conditions.

• SX730 HS: Higher resolution sensor yields sharper portraits; better face detection and AF live view improve eye focus accuracy. However, small aperture range at long zoom limits depth of field control compared to larger sensor systems.

Landscape Photography

• SX240 HS: Struggles in dynamic range and sharpness for expansive scenes; fixed screen hampers composition at low angles.

• SX730 HS: Higher resolution and tilting screen allow finer detail capture and flexible shooting angles. Moderate weather sealing absence requires care in inclement conditions.

Wildlife Photography

• SX240 HS: 20x zoom is often insufficient for distant subjects. Slow AF and low burst rates hinder capturing fast-moving animals.

• SX730 HS: 40x zoom and near 6 fps burst rate greatly improve reach and timing. Still limited by small sensor noise and autofocus contrast detection.

Sports Photography

• SX240 HS: Limited burst speed and AF response make sports imaging difficult.

• SX730 HS: Improved AF tracking and burst rate can handle casual sports better but falls short of professional DSLR/CSC systems.

Street Photography

• SX240 HS: Compact and quiet but fixed screen may frustrate discreet shooting.

• SX730 HS: Slightly larger but tilting touchscreen facilitates versatile compositions; silent shooting not supported.

Macro Photography

• SX240 HS: 5 cm working distance is average, limiting extreme close-ups.

• SX730 HS: 1 cm macro focus enables detailed close-ups. Optical stabilization aids handheld macro shooting.

Night and Astro Photography

• Both cameras limited by ISO noise and shutter speed max (1/15s minimum) against ideal astro exposures. The SX730 HS’s improved IS allows longer hand-held shots but overall neither is suited for serious astrophotography.

Video

• SX730 HS’s 1080p/60 fps and advanced codec support outperform the SX240 HS’s 24 fps video, offering smoother motion and better general video quality.

Travel Photography

• Both excel in compactness and zoom versatility. The SX730 HS’s connectivity and screen tilting provide enhanced on-the-go functionality, though extra weight is a consideration.

Professional Work

• Neither camera supports RAW imaging or professional workflows fully; their small sensors and limited controls confine them to enthusiast and casual use rather than studio or high-end commercial settings.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Canon PowerShot SX240 HS represents a solid entry-level superzoom from the early 2010s, offering straightforward operation, decent image quality, and portability for those prioritizing simplicity and a lighter pocket camera for casual use.

The Canon PowerShot SX730 HS substantially modernizes this formula with a 40x zoom, higher resolution sensor, improved autofocusing, tilting high-res screen, and wireless connectivity. These are significant advantages that enhance creative flexibility and day-to-day usability for enthusiast photographers demanding a more capable travel and general-purpose camera.

In conclusion, while the SX240 HS performs respectably for casual photographers valuing ease, the SX730 HS’s improvements in sensor resolution, zoom, AF, and connectivity decidedly position it as the superior choice for photography enthusiasts desiring a flexible, travel-friendly zoom camera in a compact package.

Canon SX240 HS screen back Canon SX730 HS front Canon SX730 HS screen back

This image gallery showcases side-by-side captures under controlled conditions, illustrating detailed texture rendition, noise differences at various ISOs, and telephoto reach comparison.

Your purchasing decision should weigh the importance of zoom range and sensor resolution against budget and shooting priorities. The SX730 HS is recommended for those requiring balanced multi-discipline capability in a pocketable form, while the SX240 HS is acceptable for straightforward, light use.

Both cameras underscore Canon’s enduring commitment to accessible superzoom bridge cameras, optimized differently to serve distinct user needs within the compact segment.