Canon PowerShot SX70 HS vs. SX740 HS: Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

In the landscape of small sensor superzoom cameras, Canon’s PowerShot line stands as a reliable workhorse for enthusiasts seeking versatile zoom ranges coupled with pocketable form factors or bridge-style ergonomics. Today, I’m diving deep into a detailed comparison between two Canon contenders from the 2018 crop - the PowerShot SX70 HS and the PowerShot SX740 HS. Both models operate with a 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor and utilize Canon’s DIGIC 8 processor, but beyond that surface-level similarity, these cameras take quite different approaches in design, feature set, and intended use case.

Drawing from months of hands-on testing and countless hours shooting in diverse environments, I’ll lead you through a granular breakdown of their build, performance, and real-world capabilities across photography genres. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which model fits your photographic ambitions and budget, supported by expert insights grounded in practical experience.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

If you’ve spent any time handling compact superzooms, you know that the physical feel - how a camera sits in your hand - fundamentally shapes your shooting experience. Let’s start by looking at the immediate differences in body style and ergonomics.

The SX70 HS embodies the classic bridge camera archetype - a sizeable, SLR-like body with an extended grip, a substantial fixed lens housing the whopping 65x optical zoom (21-1365mm equivalent). At 608g, it feels reassuringly solid. This heft pays dividends in stability, especially handheld at the extreme telephoto end where camera shake is a dealbreaker. The pronounced grip and well-separated buttons allow confident one-handed operation.

By contrast, the SX740 HS is aggressively compact - a true pocket-friendly point-and-shoot form. Weighing roughly half at 299g and measuring 110x64x40 mm, it slips effortlessly into a jacket pocket or small camera bag. The trade-off? You sacrifice the tactile grip comfort and instant accessibility of physical controls. Its smooth, compact design is elegant but may require two hands for steady control, especially at long focal lengths.

In practical terms:

• For travel and street shooters craving portability and discreetness, the SX740 HS is appealing.
• For wildlife or sports photographers relying on zoom reach and ergonomically confident handling, the SX70 HS has clear upper hand.

Top-Down Design & Control Layout: Intuitiveness in the Heat of Shooting

Handling is not just about size; it’s also about control placement, button quality, and interface intuitiveness - crucial when quick adjustments are necessary.

The SX70 HS impresses with its real DSLR-style control cluster. Dedicated dials for exposure modes, comfortable shutter button placement, and zoom toggles streamlined for rapid use dominate the top deck. In my experience testing under stress (think fast-moving birds or sudden wildlife action), having physical, well-located controls dramatically improves reaction times and compositional flexibility.

Meanwhile, the SX740 HS offers a more minimalistic top plate. Lacking a viewfinder (more on that later), the SX740 compensates with a simplified control set focused on menu navigation rather than direct manual adjustments. This reflects its intended audience - casual users or vloggers who prefer automatic or semi-auto modes over manual control.

To summarize:

• The SX70 HS caters to photographers who demand rapid tactile control and manual exposure agility.
• The SX740 HS aims at users prioritizing size and simplicity, accepting some control latency through menus.

Sensor and Image Quality: Zoom Power Meets Imaging Limits

Superzoom cameras often bear the criticism of compromised image quality due to small sensors and extreme focal lengths. Both models here sport nearly identical 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensors with around 20-21 megapixels resolution, but optical and processing differences affect quality.

Resolution and Detail

Both cameras produce full 5184x3888-pixel images, which are ample for moderate prints and digital sharing. However, the SX740 HS’s slightly higher 21MP count on the same sensor size yields negligible resolution advantage. Image sharpness relies heavily on optics and stabilization, not pixels alone.

Lens and Aperture Impact

• The SX70 HS’s super-telephoto 65x zoom (21-1365mm equiv.) is a beast, but those extremes come with aperture trade-offs: f/3.4 at the wide end narrowing to f/6.5 telephoto.
• The SX740 HS sports a 40x zoom (24-960mm equiv.) and slightly faster maximum aperture at the wide end (f/3.3), though it narrows more to f/6.9 at telephoto.

Wide-angle shots benefit from the SX740’s slightly wider aperture, aiding low-light capture and bokeh. The SX70’s superior zoom reach suits distant subjects but demands careful technique or tripod use to mitigate vibrations.

Noise and ISO Performance

Both cameras max out at ISO 3200 (native), and while the DIGIC 8 processor provides respectable noise management, small sensors struggle beyond ISO 800-1600 with detail retention and color fidelity. Here, neither camera markedly outperforms the other - expect softening and luminance noise at higher ISOs.

File Formats

Notably, the SX70 HS supports RAW file capture, an invaluable asset for photographers prioritizing post-processing flexibility and quality preservation. The SX740 HS limits you to JPEGs - fine for casual use but a constraint for advanced shooters.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder: Composing Beyond the Lens

Composition tools are crucial for framing, reviewing, and shooting intuitively.

The SX70 HS features a 3-inch fully articulating LCD screen with 922k-dot resolution and a high-res electronic viewfinder (EVF) sporting 2,360 dots with 100% coverage. This setup mimics DSLR-style shooting, allowing eye-level composition - beneficial in bright sunlight or fast-action scenarios.

The SX740 HS is equipped with a 3-inch tilting LCD screen, identical in resolution but lacking any viewfinder. Composing solely via the rear screen is workable in most situations but is susceptible to glare outdoors and may challenge stability if shooting one-handed.

This difference is pivotal:

• Users who rely on a viewfinder for stable, immersive shooting will favor the SX70 HS.
• Those embracing live view creativity or selfie-friendly angles might appreciate the tilting screen of the SX740 HS.

Autofocus Capabilities: Locking onto Life’s Moments

AF speed and accuracy can make or break photographs of moving subjects.

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus systems with face detection and AF tracking modes. Neither features phase-detection autofocus or specialized animal-eye detection.

• Both achieve continuous shooting at 10 fps, which is impressive for superzoom compacts.
• The SX70’s nine focus points versus the unlisted number for the SX740 suggest modest differences in precision - not dramatic but noticeable when tracking erratic wildlife or athletes.

In real-world shooting, the SX70 HS showed slightly superior AF reliability in low contrast or fast-changing scenes, likely due to a more optimized AF algorithm synced with its bridge camera design.

Zoom and Macro Performance: From Far to Close

The zoom experience is the defining characteristic here.

• The SX70 HS’s 65x zoom lens is one of the longest in this category, enabling detailed shots of distant wildlife or architectural details.
• Its built-in optical image stabilization is essential here; at nearly 1,400mm-equivalent reach, stabilization is a lifeline.
• Conversely, the SX740 HS provides a 40x zoom, sacrificing reach for portability.

Regarding macro shooting:

• The SX740 HS can focus as close as 1cm, allowing incredibly tight close-ups on small subjects.
• The SX70 HS reportedly has 0 cm macro focus range, but real-world use finds its minimum focusing distance closer to a few centimeters, adequate but less extreme than the SX740 HS.

If close-up work or flower photography appeals, the SX740 HS slightly edges ahead.

Burst Shooting, Buffer, and Shutter Speed Range

Both cameras share a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000s, fine for most daylight and casual shooting.

The SX740 HS supports longer maximum shutter speeds of up to 1/3200s, providing marginally more flexibility in bright conditions or creative motion freeze.

Burst shooting at 10 fps on both models allows capturing fast sequences, useful in sports or wildlife photography. However, buffer depth (how many RAW or JPEG frames before slowing) favors the SX70 HS for extended bursts in RAW thanks to its support for this file type.

Video Capabilities: 4K and Beyond

Both cameras offer 4K UHD video at 30p, encoded in H.264/MPEG-4 formats.

• The SX70 HS supports an external microphone input, a boon for vloggers and videographers wanting better sound capture.
• The SX740 HS lacks this port but supports NFC connectivity, facilitating easier file transfer to mobile devices.

Neither supports advanced video features like 4K photo modes or higher frame rates. Image stabilization systems help during handheld shooting, especially when zoomed in, but neither camera offers superior in-body stabilization or log profile recording.

For video enthusiasts needing good zoom range and audio, the SX70 HS is the more serious tool, although both deliver respectable 4K clips for casual use.

Build Quality and Environmental Protection

Neither model offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or shock resistance. Both are constructed primarily of polycarbonate with metal internal frames.

• The SX70’s substantial size conveys solidity.
• The SX740’s compactness means some sacrifice in rugged feel, though it still feels durable in hand.

Neither is designed for aggressive outdoor use in harsh environments without protective housing.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting All Day?

The SX70 HS boasts a rated 325 shots per charge, while the SX740 HS rates at 265 shots per charge. Actual stamina will depend on usage patterns, screen usage, and zoom activity.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards supporting UHS-I speeds, with a single memory card slot.

The SX70’s built-in battery can be limiting in field use, requiring access to charging, while the SX740 uses a removable battery pack - easier for swapping out spares.

Connectivity and Extras: How Modern Is the Camera?

Both cameras feature built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for image transfer and remote control via Canon’s Camera Connect app.

• The SX740 HS adds NFC support, simplifying pairing on compatible smartphones.
• HDMI ports are present on both, enabling external monitors or recording.

Neither includes GPS tagging, which some travel photographers might miss.

Visual Image Quality Comparison: Samples in the Field

Let’s look at actual image outputs.

Canon SX70 HS front Canon SX70 HS screen back Canon SX740 HS front Canon SX740 HS screen back

In side-by-side comparisons:

• At base ISO and wide apertures, both cameras produce sharp, colorful images with slightly soft corners at extreme zooms.
• The SX70 HS’s images have better tonal gradation and less aggressive noise reduction, partly due to RAW ability and superior processing.
• The SX740 HS JPGs show slightly more aggressive sharpening and noise reduction artifacts when zoomed or cropped heavily.

Summary of Scores: Overall and Genre-Specific Performance

Overall, both cameras receive solid marks for their niches, with the SX70 HS scoring higher due to its ergonomics, control, and zoom reach.

• Portraits: Both deliver decent skin tones, but the SX70 HS’s RAW option offers flexibility for correction.
• Landscape: SX70 HS benefits from EVF and lens versatility.
• Wildlife and Sports: SX70 HS is the clear winner, thanks to reach and zoom stabilization.
• Street and Travel: SX740 HS wins for compactness and discretion.
• Macro: SX740 HS has the edge with shorter focusing distance.
• Night/Astro: Neither excels due to sensor limits; SX70 HS RAW helps slightly.
• Video: SX70 HS’s mic port matters to enthusiasts.
• Professional Use: SX70 HS better aligns for pros, though neither replaces advanced mirrorless or DSLR systems.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS if:

• You prioritize extreme zoom range and DSLR-like handling for wildlife, sports, or distant subjects.
• You want a viewfinder and more comprehensive manual controls.
• You desire RAW shooting capability to extract maximum image quality.
• You plan to shoot occasional 4K video with external audio input.
• You don’t mind the bulk and heavier weight in exchange for performance.

Choose the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS if:

• Portability and pocketability are your top priorities.
• You want a straightforward camera for travel, casual street photography, and everyday snapshots.
• You shoot primarily JPEGs and want easy NFC connectivity for quick sharing.
• You need a close-focus macro function.
• You are budget-conscious and want solid zoom versatility without DSLR-style bulk.

Closing Thoughts

Both the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS and SX740 HS target the small sensor superzoom market but execute very different philosophies. I’ve found the SX70 HS to be a tool with professional aspirations - bulky but versatile, rich in controls, and superior image flexibility. The SX740 HS, meanwhile, serves as an excellent travel companion - compact, straightforward, and surprisingly capable for its size.

Your decision hinges on priorities - do you want brute telephoto power and manual control, or pocket-sized convenience and fuss-free operation? Regardless, both are competent cameras in their respective slots, worthy of consideration for photographers looking beyond smartphones but not ready to jump into interchangeable lens systems.

Appendix: Specifications At-A-Glance

This comparative analysis aims to empower you with firsthand tested knowledge, stripping away marketing fluff, and focusing on how these cameras perform when it truly counts in the field. Choose wisely, and happy shooting.