Canon PowerShot SX740 HS vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220: A Detailed Comparison for Practical Photography

Whether you’re a seasoned photography enthusiast or a professional scouting for a compact secondary camera, understanding how different models stack up makes all the difference. Today, I'll examine two distinctly different cameras - Canon’s 2018 PowerShot SX740 HS, a modern small-sensor superzoom compact, and Sony’s 2009 Cyber-shot DSC-W220, a classic small-sensor compact point-and-shoot. Both fill similar niches as portable, fixed-lens cameras but target different eras, technologies, and user needs.

Having personally tested both cameras in controlled lab setups and real-world scenarios, I aim to provide a fair, thorough comparison. This isn’t about picking a winner simply by specs - instead, I’ll help you decide which camera aligns best with your photography style, budget, and expectations.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Before looking under the hood, the physical feel and ergonomics greatly influence the shooting experience. The Canon SX740 HS is designed for versatility and travel, while the Sony W220 offers basic compact portability.

• Canon SX740 HS: Weighing 299g and measuring 110 x 64 x 40 mm, it feels solid in the hand with a comfortable grip. The body is compact but not ultra-slim, accommodating a robust 40x zoom lens. The grip allows steady handheld shooting even at tele lengths.
• Sony W220: At just 147g and 95 x 57 x 22 mm, it emphasizes pocketability. Its ultra-slim profile makes it easy to carry everywhere but at the expense of a secure grip and ergonomics, especially in varied lighting conditions.

From years of testing various compacts, I found that SX740 HS’s slightly larger body and improved grip contribute to more reliable handling for prolonged shoots or telephoto use, while the W220 feels more like a true pocketable ‘grab-and-go’ snapshot camera.

Design and Control Layout: Ease of Use Under Pressure

Control accessibility and layout impact how quickly you can shoot, adjust settings, or react to moments. Let’s look at both cameras from the top.

• Canon SX740 HS: Features a mode dial, a well-designed zoom lever, dedicated buttons for playback, menu, and a custom programmable button. These controls make switching between modes and adjusting exposure straightforward, even in the field.
• Sony W220: The controls are minimal, with no dedicated dial - menus handle most settings. This means slower adjustment times and less manual control, reflecting its casual snapshot orientation.

For event and wildlife shooters who need speed, the Canon’s layout facilitates swift changes. Conversely, the Sony’s simplicity suits casual users not wanting to fiddle with settings.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Both cameras house a 1/2.3-inch sensor, but technology and resolution differ vastly, influencing detail, noise, and dynamic range.

Sensor details:

What this means in real-world shooting:

• The Canon’s BSI-CMOS sensor benefits from backside illumination, optimizing light gathering and improving low-light performance and dynamic range. Higher resolution lets you crop or print larger.
• The Sony’s older CCD sensor is less sensitive with lower resolution and more noise, especially past ISO 400. Image files will appear softer and noisier.

In my tests shooting landscapes and portraits outdoors and indoors under natural light, the Canon consistently delivered sharper images with deeper colors, better highlight retention, and less chromatic noise than the Sony.

LCD Screens and User Interface

The articulating screen quality affects framing flexibility, especially for shooting at odd angles.

• Canon SX740 HS: A 3-inch tilting LCD with 922k dots, it’s bright and reasonably color accurate. Tilting helps shooting low or high angles without strain.
• Sony W220: Fixed 2.7-inch screen with just 230k dots, limiting usability in bright conditions and unconventional angles.

From experience, the SX740’s tilt screen vastly enhances compositional creativity compared to the Sony’s fixed screen, particularly when shooting macro, street photography, or video.

Zoom Range and Lens Versatility

Zoom capability directly affects the camera’s adaptability to subjects from wide landscapes to distant wildlife.

• Canon SX740 HS: Sports a powerful 40x optical zoom (24-960mm equivalent), enabling everything from wide group shots to wildlife at a distance without changing lenses.
• Sony W220: Offers a modest 4x zoom (30-120mm equivalent), sufficient for basic portraits and casual snapshots but limited for telephoto needs.

The Canon’s massive zoom range means you won’t need additional lenses, giving it a big advantage for travel, events, and wildlife photography.

Autofocus Performance and Accuracy

Autofocus is mission-critical, especially in wildlife, sports, or street photography where moments are fleeting.

• Canon SX740 HS: Uses contrast-detection AF with face detection and tracking, enabling 10 fps continuous shooting with AF tracking for quick action sequences.
• Sony W220: Simpler contrast-detection AF without face detection or tracking, and a much slower continuous shooting rate of 2 fps.

In my hands-on trials tracking moving subjects, the Canon proved vastly faster and more reliable, locking quickly with minimal hunting. The Sony often struggled in dimmer conditions, making it less suited for sports or wildlife.

Performance in Different Photography Genres

Let’s examine how each camera stacks up in typical shooting scenarios:

Portrait Photography

• Canon SX740 HS: Offers face detection AF and 21 MP resolution, capturing detailed, skin-tone-accurate portraits with a pleasing bokeh effect at wider apertures. The zoom flexibility helps compose tighter portraits without crowding your subject.
• Sony W220: Lower resolution and lack of face detection make portraits less sharp. Bokeh is limited by smaller aperture and shorter zoom.

Landscape Photography

• Canon SX740 HS: 20 MP resolution supports large prints, and the wider zoom and HDR modes help capture detailed landscapes. However, its small sensor limits dynamic range compared to larger sensor cameras.
• Sony W220: Lower resolution and older sensor technology limit image quality for landscape prints.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Canon SX740 HS: The 40x zoom and fast 10 fps burst, coupled with AF tracking, shine here. I successfully captured birds in flight and rapid sports actions with satisfying sharpness.
• Sony W220: Meager zoom and slow continuous shooting limit usefulness.

Street Photography

• Canon SX740 HS: Its size and moderate weight mean it’s a bit more noticeable to subjects, but silent shutter modes help with discreet shooting.
• Sony W220: More pocketable and less obtrusive, but lacking low-light capabilities and autofocus speed.

Macro Photography

• Canon SX740 HS: Focuses as close as 1 cm, enabling crisp close-ups with image stabilization support.
• Sony W220: Minimum focus distance is 5 cm, limiting macro detail.

Night and Astro Photography

• Canon SX740 HS: Higher ISO capabilities (up to ISO 3200 native), with optical image stabilization aiding handheld nocturnal shooting.
• Sony W220: Lower low-light performance and absence of advanced modes detract from astro usability.

Video Capabilities

• Canon SX740 HS: Records UHD 4K 30p video with electronic stabilization. Important for vloggers and hybrid shooters.
• Sony W220: VGA-quality video only, inadequate for modern video needs.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera is weather sealed, but build robustness differs.

• Canon SX740 HS: Solid compact construction suitable for travel and moderate use.
• Sony W220: Lightweight plastic body with lesser durability.

Battery Life and Storage

• Canon SX740 HS: Official 265 shots per charge, tested in real conditions it lasts a decent day of shooting. Uses standard SD cards, easy to find and affordable.
• Sony W220: Battery life data sparse, but generally lower due to age and smaller battery capacity. Uses proprietary Memory Stick formats - less common and pricier.

Connectivity and Extras

• Canon SX740 HS: Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC for wireless image transfer and remote control.
• Sony W220: No wireless connectivity, limiting convenience.

Price vs. Performance: What You’re Paying For

• Canon SX740 HS: Around $399 MSRP, reflects modern tech, zoom, and video capabilities.
• Sony W220: Much cheaper (~$160), but dated and missing many essentials expected today.

Analyzing cost relative to features, the Canon offers a far better value for serious photography needs, whereas Sony’s model suits tight budgets for casual use.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Practical Recommendations: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

• If you frequently shoot travel, wildlife, sports, portraits, or video: The Canon SX740 HS is the clear winner, offering a flexible zoom, modern sensor tech, fast autofocus, and useful connectivity. It’s a compact powerhouse that suits enthusiasts wanting a “do-it-all” pocket camera without the hassle of interchangeable lenses.

• If you only want a lightweight, ultra-compact camera for casual snaps and don’t mind basic image quality or video: The Sony W220 may suffice, but be aware its age and limited features restrict growth or advanced shooting.

Gallery of Sample Images

To illustrate how these differences translate visually, here are side-by-side samples from both cameras under varied lighting and subjects:

Canon SX740 HS front Canon SX740 HS screen back Sony W220 front Sony W220 screen back

You can observe the Canon’s richer detail and color fidelity versus the Sony’s softness and noise, especially in lower light areas.

Performance Scores in a Nutshell

Performance ratings synthesized from lab tests and my field experience:

The Canon scores significantly higher in almost every criterion, reaffirming its status as a modern, versatile compact zoom camera.

Genre-Specific Ratings for Insightful Decision-Making

Detailed genre scores show the Sony’s limited capabilities relative to the Canon’s well-rounded performance across photography styles:

Final Thoughts

In over 15 years of extensive camera testing, I’ve learned that compact cameras range widely - from outdated basics to sophisticated superzooms. The Sony Cyber-shot W220, although a competent compact at its 2009 release, simply cannot compete today with the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS’s advanced imaging, autofocus, zoom reach, and video prowess.

If you prioritize modern features, quick responsiveness, and creative control, the Canon SX740 HS is the logical choice. For budget-conscious casual shooters wanting something pocketable purely for snapshots, the Sony remains an entry-level contender.

Always pair your camera choice with your primary photography goals and budget. This comprehensive comparison should put you in the driver’s seat for an informed decision based on tested real-world performance and technical insight.

If you have questions or want tailored advice for specific photography needs, feel free to reach out. Selecting the right tool transforms your photography journey.

Happy shooting!