Canon PowerShot SX740 HS vs Panasonic DC-ZS70 / DC-TZ90 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Compact · 21 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
53
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Compact · 20 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Panasonic DC-ZS70 / DC-TZ90
62
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon PowerShot SX740 HS and the Panasonic DC-ZS70 / DC-TZ90 are both compact cameras with fixed lenses, sized at pocket scale for sightseeing and family trips. The Canon arrived in 2018, a year after the Panasonic. It is also the lighter carry at 299 g against 322 g, and slightly smaller at 110 x 64 x 40 mm versus 112 x 67 x 41 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2018 | 2017 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 31, 2018 | April 19, 2017 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 110 x 64 x 40 mm | 112 x 67 x 41 mm |
| Camera weight | 299 g | 322 g |
| Optics | 55/100 | 61/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor composing in bright sunlight, the Panasonic has a clear practical edge: it offers an electronic viewfinder with 1,166,000 dots, while the Canon has no viewfinder at all and depends on its rear screen. The Panasonic also provides 49 autofocus points against 9, giving you far more freedom over where focus lands. The Canon counters with 21 MP against 20 MP, a little more room to crop distant subjects, and a shorter 1/3200 second top shutter speed against 1/2000 for wide apertures in strong light. The Panasonic reaches 6400 ISO in expanded mode, where the Canon tops out at 3200. Both pair a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with 10 fps burst and built-in stabilisation, so handheld shooting is supported on either. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
21 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3888 | 5184 x 3888 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
6.17 x 4.55 | 6.17 x 4.55 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 1/2.3” | 1/2.3” |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 10 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 8 | Venus Engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
1544080 | 444080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
320080032000 | 200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 490300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 116600009900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera caps your holiday footage below 4K, since both record 4K video. Each supports frame rates up to 60 fps and saves MPEG-4 or MOV files, and both include a built-in timelapse mode for condensing a sunset or a busy street into seconds. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 54/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Panasonic is the easier camera to operate day to day, because its 3-inch screen is touch-sensitive for tap-to-focus and quick menu control, while the Canon's screen does not respond to touch. The Panasonic's screen also resolves more detail, at 1,040,000 dots against 922,000, which helps when checking focus on playback. Both screens tilt for waist-level and selfie framing, and both cameras carry Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for transferring photos to a phone, plus a built-in flash for dim interiors. Neither has GPS for tagging travel photos, and neither is weather sealed, so both need shelter from rain. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
✗ | ✗ |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9220001150001500000 | 10400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Panasonic keeps shooting longer, with a battery rated at 380 shots against 265 for the Canon, and it charges over USB so a power bank can top it up during a day out. The Canon's card slot is the faster one, accepting SD, SDHC and SDXC cards with UHS-I compatibility where the Panasonic supports standard SD cards. Both carry a single card slot, so neither offers a second card. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-13L | DMW-BLG10 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
265 shots1505000 | 380 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For a travel compact bought mainly for endurance and handling, the Panasonic DC-ZS70 / DC-TZ90 is the stronger choice: a 380-shot battery rating, USB charging, an electronic viewfinder for sunny days, a touchscreen and 49 autofocus points.
Choose the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS if the lightest pocket load matters most, along with slightly more crop room from its 21 MP resolution and the shorter 1/3200 second shutter for bright scenes. Both record 4K, tilt their screens and share photos over Wi-Fi, so the choice comes down to battery and controls versus weight and speed.