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Canon SX740 HS vs Sony A850

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
63
Overall
54
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Canon SX740 HS vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Canon SX740 HS
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-960mm (F3.3-6.9) lens
  • 299g - 110 x 64 x 40mm
  • Announced July 2018
  • Older Model is Canon SX730 HS
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Announced April 2010
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Canon SX740 HS vs Sony A850 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Canon SX740 HS versus Sony A850, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX740 HS (21MP) and the A850 (25MP) is pretty comparable but the SX740 HS (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The SX740 HS was announced 8 years after the A850 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX740 HS being a Compact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the SX740 HS scores against the A850 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX740 HS over the Sony A850

 SX740 HS A850 
AnnouncedJuly 2018April 2010Newer by 101 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Canon SX740 HS

 A850 SX740 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX740 HS and Sony A850

 SX740 HS A850 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution922k922kIdentical screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SX740 HS vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX740 HS has got outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.6") along with a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs) while the Sony A850 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX740 HS versus Sony A850 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SX740 HS and the A850.

Canon SX740 HS vs Sony A850 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX740 HS and A850 is 88 and 54 respectively.

Canon SX740 HS vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX740 HS vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing specs. The picture underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX740 HS and A850.

All in all, the two cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SX740 HS with its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony A850 will produce more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The younger SX740 HS will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX740 HS vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Canon SX740 HS vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX740 HS vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX740 HS
Portrait photography with Sony A850
48
you can focus manually
MP count good (21 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
72
you can focus manually
megapixel count amazing (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX740 HS
Street photography with Sony A850
69
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (299g)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX740 HS Sports photography details
Sony A850 Sports photography details
52
excellent zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (21MP)
has tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (265 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count amazing (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX740 HS as a Travel photography camera
Sony A850 as a Travel photography camera
75
lighter than competitors in class (299 grams)
supports bluetooth
MP count good (21MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (960mm)
not so great battery pack (265 CIPA)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
55
environment sealing
megapixel count amazing (25 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX740 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A850 as a Landscape photography camera
53
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (21MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery pack (265 CIPA)
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count amazing (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX740 HS Vlogging details
Sony A850 Vlogging details
74
quite wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (299 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no microphone port
9
no video
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Canon SX740 HS vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX740 HS and Sony A850
 Canon PowerShot SX740 HSSony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Announced 2018-07-31 2010-04-15
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 8 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-960mm (40.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 922 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 299g (0.66 lb) 895g (1.97 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.6") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1415
Other
Battery life 265 images 880 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom self-timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots One 2
Cost at launch $400 $0