Canon SX740 HS vs Samsung TL210

Canon PowerShot SX740 HS vs Samsung TL210: A Thorough Comparison from My Lens

As someone who's put countless cameras through rigorous testing over 15+ years, I relish the chance to help photographers find gear best suited to their needs. Today, I'll take a deep dive into two compact cameras made for very different users - the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS, a recent 2018 superzoom compact, and the decade-old Samsung TL210 ultracompact. Both fill a niche for effortless portability with integrated lenses, but how do they stack up across photography types, handling, and tech? Let’s embark on that comparison with firsthand observations and technical insights culled from my on-field photo shoots and lab tests.

Getting a Feel: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

The physical handling experience is where impressions form first. The Canon SX740 HS is a solid compact offering a confident grip without bulk. Measuring 110x64x40 mm and weighing 299 grams, it feels substantial yet pocketable for everyday carry. In contrast, the Samsung TL210 is smaller and lighter at 99x59x20 mm and 177 grams, emphasizing ultraportability for those prioritizing convenience over control.

I found the SX740's textured grip and thoughtfully placed buttons more conducive to steady handheld shooting - important when reaching for long telephoto shots or shooting in challenging light. Its 3-inch tilting screen lets me compose creatively from high or low angles, a feature sorely missing on the Samsung's fixed 3.5-inch screen, which is also lower resolution and less vibrant.

The top control layout on the Canon feels more ergonomic, with dedicated dials and buttons for exposure modes and zoom operation, enhancing responsiveness during dynamic shoots. The Samsung’s minimal controls and lack of manual exposure modes limit quick adjustments.

For photographers who value tactile feedback and customization, the SX740 HS wins here. For absolute pocket-friendliness and casual snapshots, the TL210 may still appeal.

Sensor Quality & Image Resolution: Crunching the Details

Understanding the sensor specs reveals the heart of image quality potential. Both use a 1/2.3” sensor type common in compact cameras, but the SX740 HS adopts a more modern backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, whereas the TL210 relies on an older CCD technology.

The Canon’s sensor captures 20.3 megapixels at 5184x3888 resolution, providing more detail and cropping flexibility. The Samsung offers 12 megapixels (4000x3000), enough for prints up to 8x10 inches but less forgiving for cropping or large enlargements.

Backside illumination on the Canon’s sensor also improves light-gathering efficiency, translating into cleaner images in low-light scenarios - a crucial advantage for indoor, night, or travel photography. The Samsung’s CCD sensor delivers respectable tones in bright light but tends to struggle with noise and detail retention at higher ISOs beyond 800.

In side-by-side shooting tests under mixed lighting, the SX740 yielded crisper textures and smoother tonal gradations. Skin tones were more natural and nuanced, an important consideration for portraiture.

LCD Screen & Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Without an electronic viewfinder (EVF) on either model, the LCD screen becomes the primary composition tool.

The Canon’s 3-inch 922k-dot tilting LCD offers a bright, sharp, and flexible user interface. This aids framing elaborate compositions, especially for street or macro photography where low or overhead angles enhance creativity.

Conversely, the Samsung’s fixed 3.5-inch screen, though larger, has a paltry 230k-dot resolution. This diminished clarity makes checking focus and exposure trickier, especially outdoors in sunlight. Moreover, the lack of touchscreen on both limits interaction style, but the Canon retains a more intuitive menu system and faster response.

In practice, I experienced fewer missed shots and quicker framing with the Canon screen, helping speed workflow during fast-paced shoots.

Autofocus & Burst Shooting: Chasing Action

Neither camera boasts advanced phase-detection AF systems - unsurprising given their categories - but their contrast-detection abilities differ markedly.

The Canon SX740 employs contrast-detection with face detection and continuous servo AF modes, allowing for decent tracking during bursts at 10 fps for up to 10 frames. While not a pro-level athlete-chasing machine, it’s capable enough for casual sports and wildlife bursts or kids’ parties.

The Samsung TL210, by comparison, lacks continuous AF and burst shooting. Its autofocus is slower and less responsive under low light or moving subjects, limiting action capture.

My tests show the Canon more reliable when tracking faces or shifting focus points quickly, thanks to intelligent AF algorithms embedded in the new DIGIC 8 processor, which also supports faster shooting responsiveness.

Lens Versatility & Optical Performance

The Canon SX740 HS impresses with its 40x optical zoom range (24-960mm equivalent), giving it incredible reach for both wide landscapes and distant wildlife shots. While its variable max aperture of f/3.3-6.9 means image brightness falls off at the telephoto end, stabilisation helps maintain sharpness handheld.

The Samsung TL210’s 5x zoom (27-135mm equivalent) covers basic everyday focal lengths but lacks the versatility to handle distant subjects or sweeping landscapes with the same impact.

Both lenses offer optical image stabilization, easing shaky hands - particularly helpful at telephoto lengths on the Canon. The SX740’s 1cm macro focusing capability is also noteworthy, ideal for close-up flower or insect shots.

Overall, the Canon’s lens lineup strikes a balance between convenience and creative range unmatched by the TL210’s pedestrian zoom.

Build Quality and Environmental Durability

Neither camera offers weather sealing or special ruggedized construction, so caution is advised if you plan outdoor adventures in rain or dusty conditions.

Still, the more substantial build of the Canon SX740 HS feels reassuringly solid compared to the Samsung TL210’s ultra-lightweight plastic body. I wouldn’t rely on the TL210 for rough handling or challenging environments.

Battery Life and Storage Convenience

The Canon SX740 HS uses a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated for approximately 265 shots per charge. With efficient power management, this translates to a full day of casual shooting or several sessions supplemented by a spare battery.

The Samsung TL210’s battery specs are less documented, but my experience shows it is more constrained, necessitating carry of the SLB-07B spare battery for extended outings.

In terms of storage, Canon offers SD card compatibility up to SDXC UHS-I, providing ample and fast memory card options. The Samsung uses microSD cards plus internal memory, which is handy but limited in capacity and speed.

Connectivity and Video Features

Here, the Canon again leaps ahead. The SX740 includes built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, and NFC for simple sharing and remote camera control via smartphone apps - crucial features for today’s workflows. The Samsung TL210, launched in 2010, has no wireless connectivity.

Video recording on the Canon reaches 4K UHD resolution at 30 fps, using H.264 codec in MP4 containers. Stabilization works during video too, yielding smooth handheld footage. For casual video diary makers or travel bloggers, this is a significant asset.

The Samsung’s video maxes out at 720p HD in MJPEG format, low resolution by modern standards, with limited frame rate flexibility, constraining its usefulness beyond simple home movies.

Image Quality Across Photography Disciplines

Now, let’s contextualize these specs in photographic practice, across genres I’ve tested extensively.

Portrait Photography

Portraiture demands natural skin tones, good bokeh, and reliable face or eye detection autofocus.

The Canon’s 20.3 MP sensor and DIGIC 8 processor deliver pleasing skin tone fidelity, aided by real-time face detection AF. The long zoom range allows portraits from a comfortable distance, improving subject relaxation.

While the SX740’s lens isn’t particularly fast (max f/3.3 at wide), its optical stabilization reduces blur, and in good light, background blur is acceptable for subject separation.

The Samsung TL210’s lack of face tracking and smaller sensor yield less sharp and detail-rich portraits, with flatter tones and less micro-contrast to define features.

Verdict: Canon SX740 HS is a better tool for casual or even semi-professional portraits.

Landscape Photography

Landscape work values dynamic range, resolution, and lens sharpness.

The Canon’s higher resolution sensor and expanded ISO range provide more detail and flexibility for large prints. Its 24mm equivalent wide angle is respectable, perfect for sweeping vistas.

However, the relatively small sensor size means dynamic range is limited compared to larger-sensor cameras, requiring mindful exposure to capture highlights and shadows.

The Samsung’s 27mm wide end is less expansive, and lower resolution limits cropping. Its CCD sensor struggles with highlight roll-off.

Neither camera offers weather sealing for rugged outdoor use.

Recommendation: The Canon SX740 HS is the preferred choice for amateur landscape shooters who prioritize portability.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife demands fast autofocus, long focal reach, and high burst rates.

Thanks to its 40x zoom, the Canon SX740 HS is the only viable candidate here. The Samsung’s max 135mm equivalent lens quickly falls short when capturing distant animals.

The Canon’s 10 fps burst is adequate for casual action capture, though not up to pro mirrorless standards. Its continuous AF mode tracks moving subjects decently, useful in daylight.

Samsung’s slow AF and no burst shooting preclude effective wildlife shooting.

Sports Photography

Candid sports moments often require high frame rates, accurate AF, and solid low light sensitivity.

The Canon’s performance shines here compared to Samsung. The DIGIC 8 processor aids with faster AF and burst shooting, though still limited for fast-paced professional sports.

Low light performance is moderate at best - both cameras struggle beyond ISO 1600, but the Canon holds noise more gracefully.

Street Photography

Portability, discretion, and quick handling define street shooting.

While the TL210’s ultra-compact size is unobtrusive, the Canon is still compact enough for street use and offers superior responsiveness.

The SX740’s tilting screen lets me frame unconventional compositions discreetly, and face detection helps capture fleeting expressions.

The Samsung’s longer start-up times and limited focusing speed reduce serendipitous capture potential.

Macro Photography

Close focusing to capture tiny details requires precise lens and AF ability.

Canon’s 1cm macro focus distance enables vibrant flower and insect photos, assisted by stabilization.

Samsung’s 5cm minimum focus is less flexible for tight close-ups, and slower focus hampers sharp capture.

Night and Astrophotography

Small-sensor cameras have inherent limits in noise control at high ISO.

The Canon SX740’s backside-illuminated CMOS sensor provides cleaner files up to ISO 1600, and shooting in manual mode with exposure compensation helps in star fields or cityscapes.

The Samsung CCD sensor produces more noise and banding at high ISO, limiting its astrophotography potential.

Video Capabilities

Canon’s 4K at 30p video with stabilization is a huge boon for casual videographers and travel vloggers.

Samsung’s max 720p video with MJPEG codec looks dated, exhibits compression artifacts, and lacks stabilization beyond optical.

Travel Photography

Considering size, versatility, battery, and connectivity, the Canon provides better all-round travel utility. Its Wi-Fi for easy sharing, strong zoom range, and better low-light capability mean fewer lenses and accessories needed.

Samsung’s smaller size is appealing, but compromises in image quality and features limit its appeal beyond very casual travel snapshots.

Professional Work

Neither camera targets professionals requiring raw capture or advanced workflows. Canon’s lack of raw support limits serious editing potential, but full manual controls and image stabilization add some creative control.

Samsung lacks manual exposure modes altogether.

Performance Ratings and Value Verdict

Both cameras serve as budget-friendly compacts, but Canon SX740 HS flexes multi-faceted usability and image quality superiority, earning it higher marks in most categories.

For genre-specific strengths:

Summing Up: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS if:

• You want versatile shooting with a massive zoom, capable autofocus, and decent controls.
• You appreciate 4K video and wireless sharing.
• You aim to capture portraits, wildlife, landscapes, and casual sports with one camera.
• You can invest slightly more for more features, better ergonomics, and improved image quality.

Choose the Samsung TL210 if:

• You prioritize ultra-compact size and minimal weight above all else.
• You mainly shoot casual snapshots in good light.
• You want a straightforward point-and-shoot without manual mode complexity.
• Budgets or legacy equipment constraints favor an older, lower-cost compact.

Final Thoughts

I put both cameras through their paces over two weeks, encompassing urban explorations, nature walks, and family events. The contemplative city portraits and distant wildlife shots came alive on the Canon SX740 HS, underscoring its role as a smart all-around digital travel companion.

Samsung’s TL210, while charmingly pocketable, showed its age and limitations, reminding me how compact cameras have evolved dramatically over the last decade.

For photography enthusiasts seeking a solid superzoom compact with modern image quality and flexibility on a reasonable budget, I confidently recommend the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS as the better overall choice.

Canon SX740 HS front Canon SX740 HS screen back Samsung TL210 front Samsung TL210 screen back

Photography is about moments captured beautifully and effortlessly. Choosing the right tool, matched to your style and needs, unlocks that joy.

Hope this detailed comparison shines clarity on which camera fits your photographic journey best.

If you have questions or want experiential tips on using either model for specific genres, feel free to reach out or drop a comment.

Happy shooting!