The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is a discontinued ultra-zoom compact camera that has become highly sought after. Its standout feature is the 40x optical zoom (24-960mm equivalent) – impossible on any smartphone. The camera also features a 20.3MP CMOS sensor, 4K video recording, a 180-degree flip-up screen for selfies and vlogging, and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
This unit is open box unused. The box was opened for inspection only. The camera has never been used. Full manufacturer warranty applies. This is as close to brand new as you can get for a discontinued camera.
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS was originally released in 2018. It was the successor to the SX730 HS. The main upgrades were 4K video and a faster DIGIC 8 processor. Canon discontinued the SX740 HS in 2024 with no direct replacement. This has made the camera a collector’s item and a highly sought-after tool for travelers, vloggers, and wildlife enthusiasts.
The 40x Ultra-Zoom Advantage of the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS has a 40x optical zoom lens covering 24-960mm equivalent. This is the main reason people buy this camera. No smartphone can touch this reach. Smartphones use digital zoom, which crops the image and reduces quality. At 40x digital zoom, a smartphone image is a blurry mess. The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS at 40x optical zoom is sharp and detailed.
At 24mm wide-angle, you can capture entire rooms for real estate, group shots at weddings, or expansive landscapes. At 50mm, you get a natural perspective similar to the human eye. At 100mm, you can shoot portraits with some background compression. At 200mm, you can photograph wildlife from a respectful distance. At 400mm, you can capture details in architecture and distant subjects. At 600mm, you can shoot the moon as a detailed sphere. At 960mm, you can photograph birds, airplanes, and sports action from the stands.
The zoom is optical, not digital. There is no loss of quality as you zoom. The image stabilization (Canon’s Intelligent IS) keeps shots sharp even at 960mm handheld. The zoom rocker is around the shutter button, so your index finger controls zoom naturally and precisely. You can zoom from 24mm to 960mm in about two seconds.
4K Video for Content Creators on the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS records 4K video at 30 frames per second. This is rare in compact zoom cameras. Most competitors in this price range only offer 1080p. The 4K resolution provides four times the detail of 1080p. You can crop into 4K footage and still output 1080p without losing quality.
The camera also records 1080p video at 60fps and 120fps for slow motion. The 60fps mode is useful for normal playback with smoother motion. The 120fps mode creates 4x slow motion when played back at 30fps.
The built-in stereo microphones capture decent audio for casual use. For vloggers, the flip-up screen makes selfie framing easy. The camera also has a microphone input? No, the SX740 HS does not have an external microphone jack. This is a limitation. For serious audio, you would need to record separately and sync in post.
The 4K video quality is excellent for a compact camera. Colors are natural. Detail is sharp. Autofocus during video works reliably. The DIGIC 8 processor handles 4K video well without overheating.
The Flip-Up Screen for Selfies and Vlogging
The 3.0-inch LCD screen flips up 180 degrees. This makes the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS perfect for selfies, vlogging, and group shots where you need to be in the frame. The screen is bright and visible even outdoors.
When the screen is flipped up, the camera automatically enters selfie mode. The shutter button is still easy to reach. The zoom rocker is on the top of the camera, not obstructed by the screen. You can see yourself clearly while recording 4K video.
The screen has 922,000 dots, which is sharp enough for framing and reviewing images. It is not a touchscreen. You cannot tap to focus or swipe to review images. All controls are through physical buttons. Some users prefer this. Others miss touchscreen convenience.
Image Stabilization (Intelligent IS) on the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS features Canon’s Intelligent Image Stabilization system. It automatically selects the best stabilization mode for your shooting situation. The system uses a gyro sensor to detect camera motion and moves the lens elements to compensate.
For stills, it compensates for camera shake at slow shutter speeds. At 960mm, you can handhold shots at 1/200 or even 1/100 of a second with good technique. Without IS, you would need 1/1000 or faster.
For video, it smooths out walking shots and panning. The Dynamic IS mode is specifically designed for walking video. It compensates for the larger, slower movements of your body.
For zoomed-in shots at 960mm, the IS keeps the image steady on the LCD screen. It is much easier to compose shots at full zoom when the image is not jumping around.
For macro shooting, a dedicated IS mode prevents the slight movements that cause blur when shooting close-ups.
For tripod use, the IS automatically detects that the camera is mounted and turns off stabilization to prevent false correction.
20.3MP CMOS Sensor on the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
The 20.3MP sensor provides plenty of resolution for large prints and cropping. A 20.3MP image can be printed at 16×20 inches at 300 DPI. For social media, you have room to crop without losing quality.
The DIGIC 8 image processor handles noise well up to ISO 1600. At ISO 3200, noise is visible but still usable for social media. At ISO 6400, noise is significant. Use only in low light when you need a shot.
The sensor is a 1/2.3-inch type, which is standard for compact zoom cameras. It is smaller than the 1-inch sensors found in premium compacts like the Sony RX100 series. This is the trade-off for the 40x zoom range. You get reach over low-light performance.
The camera has a native ISO range of 100 to 3200. It can be expanded to ISO 6400. For best results, stay at ISO 800 or below. Use flash or a tripod in low light.
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. You can transfer photos and videos to your smartphone using the Canon Camera Connect app. The app is free for iOS and Android.
Bluetooth keeps a constant low-power connection between the camera and your phone. You can wake the camera from sleep and transfer images without manually connecting to Wi-Fi each time. The connection stays active even when the camera is turned off.
The Wi-Fi transfer speed is decent. A 20MP JPEG transfers in about 3-5 seconds. 4K video clips take longer. You can also use Wi-Fi to remote control the camera from your phone. The remote control app lets you see the live view, adjust zoom, and trigger the shutter.
Why the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is Discontinued and Sought After
Canon discontinued the SX740 HS in 2024. There is no direct replacement in their current lineup. The SX740 HS was the last Canon compact camera with a 40x zoom and a flip-up screen.
Because of this, demand has increased. New old stock units are becoming rare. Open box unused units are even rarer. The camera has developed a cult following among:
Travelers who want a pocketable zoom camera for vacations and day trips
Parents shooting kids’ sports, school plays, recitals, and events from a distance
Wildlife enthusiasts who want reach without carrying heavy telephoto lenses
Vloggers who need a flip screen and 4K video in a compact body
Real estate agents photographing property interiors and exteriors
Hikers and outdoor adventurers who want a lightweight camera
Bird watchers who need to identify species from photos
Motorsports fans shooting from the stands
Anyone who wants to photograph the moon, planets, and celestial events
Comparison with Smartphones
No smartphone has a 40x optical zoom. Smartphones use digital zoom, which crops the image and reduces quality. At 40x digital zoom, a smartphone image is a blurry mess. The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS at 40x optical zoom is sharp and detailed. This is not an opinion. It is physics.
Smartphones also lack a physical zoom rocker. Zooming on a touchscreen is imprecise. You overshoot. You undershoot. You pinch and zoom while trying to hold the phone steady. The SX740 HS has a dedicated zoom rocker around the shutter button. Your index finger controls zoom naturally.
The SX740 HS also has a built-in flash. Most smartphones do not. The flash is useful for fill light in backlit situations, for indoor group shots, and for macro photography where you need extra light.
Smartphones have larger sensors than the SX740 HS? Actually, flagship phones now have sensors up to 1-inch type. The SX740 HS has a 1/2.3-inch sensor. This means smartphones can outperform the SX740 HS in low light. The trade-off is zoom. No smartphone can match 40x optical zoom.
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is designed to be pocketable. It measures 110mm wide, 64mm high, and 40mm deep. It weighs 300g including battery and card. It fits in a jacket pocket, small bag, cargo pants pocket, or large purse.
The camera has a pop-up flash that rises when you press a button. The flash is small but effective for close subjects up to about 3 meters. The flash recycles quickly.
The mode dial on top has Auto, P, Av, Tv, M, Hybrid Auto, Scene, and Creative Filter modes. Beginners can use Auto mode. The camera recognizes scenes and adjusts settings automatically. Experienced photographers can use Aperture Priority or Manual mode.
The camera has an exposure compensation dial on the top. You can quickly adjust brightness by +/- 3 stops. This is useful for backlit subjects and high-contrast scenes.
Scene Modes and Creative Filters on the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS includes several Scene modes:
Portrait – Softens backgrounds for flattering portraits
Landscape – Enhances blues and greens for nature shots
Sports – Prioritizes fast shutter speeds for action
Night Scene – Combines multiple exposures for low light
Handheld Night Scene – Takes multiple shots and aligns them automatically
Food – Enhances colors for food photography
Starscape – For night sky photography with long exposures
Star Trails – Creates star trail images by combining multiple exposures
Fireworks – Optimized settings for fireworks displays
Snow – Compensates for bright snow scenes
Beach – Optimized for bright sand and water
Creative Filters include: Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, and Oil Painting Effect.
Honest Note
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is not a professional camera. It is not for low-light shooting. The small sensor means noise appears above ISO 800. It is not for photographers who need shallow depth of field. At 960mm, the background is compressed but not blurred like an f/2.8 telephoto lens would do.
What the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is: The best travel zoom camera ever made. It fits in your pocket. It reaches 960mm. It has 4K video. It has a flip screen. It is the only camera that does all of this in a compact body.
Travelers who want a pocketable camera with massive zoom range
Parents photographing kids’ sports, school plays, and events
Wildlife enthusiasts who need reach without carrying heavy gear
Vloggers who need a flip screen and 4K video
Real estate agents photographing properties
Hikers and outdoor adventurers
Anyone who wants a camera that does what no smartphone can do
What’s in the Box
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS camera (open box, unused)
NP-BX1 rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Battery charger
Wrist strap
USB cable
Full manufacturer warranty documentation
64GB memory card (bonus)
Screen protector (bonus)
Carrying case (bonus)
Cleaning kit (bonus)
Final Thoughts
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is the best ultra-zoom compact camera ever made. No smartphone can touch its 40x optical zoom. No other compact camera offers 4K video, a flip screen, and 960mm reach in a pocketable body.
This unit is open box unused with full manufacturer warranty. It is as close to brand new as you can get for a discontinued camera.
Order the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS today with 90-day warranty and free shipping worldwide. Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
