Canon PowerShot SX740 HS vs Olympus SZ-11: A Deep Dive Into Two Compact Superzooms

Choosing the right compact superzoom camera can be a heavy lift - especially when you want a tool that performs well across a broad spectrum of photographic genres, from street shots to wildlife close-ups. Today, I’ll walk you through an extensive comparison between two cameras in this space: the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS and the Olympus SZ-11. Both are small sensor superzooms featuring hefty zoom ranges, but they come from different eras and design philosophies. After personally testing dozens of cameras like these, I’ll share unique insights and advice to help you make a choice that fits your shooting style and budget.

Let’s start by placing these two physically side-by-side.

Size Matters: Handling and Ergonomics in Real Life

When you're out shooting, a camera’s handling defines how often you’ll want to actually take it with you. The Canon SX740 HS weighs 299 grams, slightly heavier than the Olympus SZ-11’s 226 grams. Both are pocketable compacts, but the Canon is a bit chunkier.

The Canon's all-around dimensions (110x64x40 mm) give it a firm, comfortable grip, thanks to a slightly deeper body and well-placed control dial. The Olympus, slightly wider but less deep (106x69x40 mm), feels more delicate, with thinner grip zones that might not inspire confidence when handholding for long periods.

Looking from the top, the difference in button layout becomes clear.

Canon trusted a more modern approach here. The SX740 HS features a straightforward mode dial, dedicated zoom rocker, and its shutter release ring feels tactile - ideal for quick, intuitive operation. Olympus offers a more simplified interface, which may appeal to casual shooters, but lacks dedicated dials for aperture or shutter priority modes, which serious photographers might miss.

If you’re someone who appreciates camera ergonomics and handling, the Canon has the edge - especially during longer shoots or travel trips.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality Insights

Both cameras utilize a 1/2.3” sensor, a common size for superzoom compacts given the need to cram very long focal ranges into a small body. However, the Canon SX740 HS sports a 20.3-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor paired with the DIGIC 8 processor, while the Olympus SZ-11 uses an older 14-megapixel CCD sensor with TruePic III+ processing.

From my hands-on testing, this BSI-CMOS sensor in Canon is a significant step up compared to the CCD in Olympus, particularly in low light and dynamic range performance. The Back-Side Illuminated (BSI) design captures more light efficiency especially at higher ISOs, helping Canon deliver cleaner images with less noise starting around ISO 800 compared to the Olympus’s native max ISO of 1600 but with noisier outputs.

Real-world test shots revealed Canon images have better color rendition and sharper details, aided by the more advanced processor that also improves noise reduction and image sharpening intelligently. Olympus tends to produce images with a bit more softness and visible noise even at ISO 400, which is a giveaway of its aging sensor and lack of contemporary processing muscle.

Image Review: Comparing Sample Shots Side-by-Side

To give you a feel for everyday output, I shot a variety of scenes on both cameras - portraits, landscapes, and street snaps.

Canon SX740 HS front Canon SX740 HS screen back Olympus SZ 11 front Olympus SZ 11 screen back

• Portraits: Canon’s skin tones are more natural, and the aggressive autofocus with face detection helps nail focus on the eyes more reliably.
• Landscapes: Canon’s higher resolution offers more cropping flexibility. Olympus's lower resolution and softer lens deliver less punch but decent color.
• Street shots: I found Canon’s quieter shutter and tilting screen more versatile, helpful for candid angles.

Finding the Focus: Autofocus and Shooting Speed

Autofocus (AF) systems can make or break your shooting experience - whether you’re freezing action on a soccer field or snapping wildlife in a forest. The Canon SX740 HS utilizes contrast-detection AF with face tracking and continuous AF modes, supporting up to 10 fps burst shooting. Olympus relies on contrast detection AF with multi-area and spot focusing but only supports 7 fps burst and lacks continuous AF.

The faster burst rates and continuous AF on Canon allow better chances of capturing decisive moments in fast-moving scenarios, which makes it a natural choice for wildlife and sports enthusiasts on a budget. Canon’s AF also felt more reliable in dimmer conditions during my testing, partially thanks to improved algorithms on the DIGIC 8 chip.

If you want a compact camera that won’t hold you back in action shots, the Canon has the clear advantage here.

Display and User Interface: The Window to Your Creativity

While reviews often skim this, I find camera displays profoundly influence your shooting experience. The Canon’s 3-inch tilting LCD screen with 922k dots provides excellent clarity and flexibility for shooting at unusual angles. Unfortunately, there’s no touchscreen.

Olympus offers a similar 3-inch fixed TFT LCD but with only 460k dots resolution, which looks noticeably dimmer and less crisp, especially under bright outdoor light.

For travel photography, I much preferred Canon’s tilting screen in cramped or challenging shooting angles like low ground or overhead shots. Olympus’s fixed screen works fine for standard shooting but felt restrictive, especially when composing street or macro shots.

Build Quality: Durability and Outdoor Suitability

Neither camera is ruggedized - both lack weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing. In practical use, that means both need protective treatment if you’re serious about all-weather shooting.

Canon’s build felt sturdier and more resilient given its slightly more substantial chassis. Olympus, dating back to 2011 design standards, uses more plastic components and has a less solid feel. The trade-off is Olympus’s lighter weight, which could appeal to those prioritizing packability over durability.

Lens Versatility and Zoom Range: Reach Matters

The Canon decks out with a 24-960mm equivalent (40x) zoom versus the Olympus’s 25-500mm (20x zoom). That jump practically doubles your telephoto reach.

Why does this count? If you regularly shoot wildlife or distant sports, Canon’s extra reach makes a tangible difference - although image quality at the extreme telephoto end will naturally degrade due to sensor and lens constraints.

The zoom ring feel on Canon is smooth and it supports manual focus override, whereas Olympus lacks manual focus, which might frustrate macro or creative focus control fans.

For those needing maximum zoom versatility in a pocketable camera, the Canon SX740 HS offers far more range - and faster continuous shooting to boot.

Low Light and ISO Performance: Better to See in the Dark?

Compact zoom cameras notoriously struggle in low light. Canon’s newer BSI-CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 processor mean better noise control up to ISO 3200. Olympus maxes out at ISO 1600 but with older CCD tech prone to noisy images.

In real shots, Canon maintained sharpness and usable color fidelity at ISO 800 and 1600, while Olympus images start displaying excessive graininess from ISO 400 upwards.

This makes Canon a better choice for indoor, event, or night photography with controlled lighting conditions.

Video Capabilities: Moving Images in the Mix

If video is a consideration, the Canon SX740 HS offers 4K UHD recording at 30p in MP4 format with H.264 codec - solid features for a compact camera. It includes image stabilization to smooth handheld footage but lacks microphone or headphone jacks for serious audio control.

Olympus tops out at 720p HD video (1280x720) in Motion JPEG format, well behind current standards in quality and compression efficiency.

For casual video enthusiasts or content creators requiring decent 4K capture in a pocket camera, Canon is the clear winner. Olympus might suffice for very basic clips but won’t satisfy advanced needs.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Staying Power and Sharing Ease

Canon rates around 265 shots per battery charge, while Olympus offers roughly 200 shots - both modest figures in the compact class. Canon wins slightly here, useful if you’re on long outings without easy recharge options.

Connectivity-wise, Canon packs built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, enabling easy transferring and remote control via smartphone apps. Olympus offers no wireless features, reflecting its age.

Today’s travelers and casual social shooters will appreciate Canon’s modern connectivity for instant image sharing.

Price and Value: Your Wallet’s Perspective

At launch, Canon retailed around $400, with the Olympus SZ-11 close to $250. The Canon feels like a fair step-up in capability, ergonomics, and future-proof features, but for tighter budgets, Olympus still offers a basic zoom camera to explore superzoom photography.

Who Should Buy Which? Tailoring Recommendations By Use Case

Now that we’ve unpacked technical specs and shooting experiences, let’s align the cameras to different photography needs.

Portrait Photography

• Canon SX740 HS: Better skin tones, face detection, eye autofocus, and image processing translate to more flattering results.
• Olympus SZ-11: Usable but prone to softer details and limited focusing options.

Landscape Photography

• Canon SX740 HS: Higher resolution and dynamic range enable more detailed, vibrant landscapes.
• Olympus SZ-11: Lower resolution, noisier images, less detail recovered in shadows/highlights.

Wildlife Photography

• Canon SX740 HS: 40x zoom and 10fps burst excel for distant subjects and quick action capture.
• Olympus SZ-11: 20x zoom and slower AF less ideal for unpredictable movement.

Sports Photography

• Canon SX740 HS: Fast burst rate and tracking AF better suited to tracking athletes.
• Olympus SZ-11: Limited by slower burst and less refined autofocus.

Street Photography

• Canon SX740 HS: Tilting screen, better low light, and fast AF give an edge for candid moments.
• Olympus SZ-11: Lighter weight but less capable under dim conditions.

Macro Photography

• Both cameras focus to 1cm macro distances, but Canon’s manual focus and sharper optics allow for crisper close-ups.

Night/Astro Photography

• Canon’s superior ISO performance and longer shutter speeds (up to 15s) make it better suited for night scenes.

Video Capabilities

• Canon’s 4K UHD recording dominates here.
• Olympus limited to 720p, outdated format.

Travel Photography

• Canon’s tilting screen, better battery life, and wireless connectivity favor travel enthusiasts.
• Olympus is smaller and lighter if weight is chief concern.

Professional Work

• Neither is a professional-grade camera, but Canon’s better image quality and file handling offer more flexibility as a compact secondary camera.

Summary: Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Emerges As The More Versatile Compact Zoom

Both cameras have their place depending on your budget and needs. The Olympus SZ-11 is a decent, affordable entry point into superzoom photography and casual shooting. However, its aging tech shows in slower performance, noisier images, and lack of modern features.

The Canon SX740 HS brings a far more capable sensor, faster autofocus, longer zoom, improved ergonomics, and comprehensive wireless connectivity to the table - delivering a notably better user experience, especially for enthusiasts seeking sharper images and greater versatility.

For most photography enthusiasts and casual professionals, the Canon SX740 HS represents better value considering its advanced features and image quality.

Final Thoughts: Hands-On Testing Matters

I routinely test cameras under varied conditions - studio, daylight, dusk, indoor challenges, and crazy fast sports scenarios - to gauge real-world performance beyond specs on a page.

See my full analysis and side-by-side samples in the video review (linked above), where you can judge colors, noise, and detail for yourself. If you want a compact zoom camera for sharp, versatile photos paired with up-to-date features, Canon is worth the slight premium.

Dear Canon, please consider adding touchscreen control and improved low-light autofocus in the next iteration to cement this as the go-to compact superzoom.

For those on a smaller budget or seeking a straightforward, lightweight zoom camera without bells and whistles, the Olympus SZ-11 remains a viable, if dated, alternative.

Whichever you pick, understanding your own priorities - be that zoom reach, image quality, or shooting agility - will guarantee you a camera that feels like an extension of your creative eye.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Technical Highlights at a Glance

Thank you for reading this hands-on comparison. If you have specific shooting scenarios or questions, feel free to reach out - I always enjoy helping photographers find their perfect gear match.