Canon PowerShot SX740 HS vs Nikon Coolpix S9900 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Compact · 21 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
53
SCORE
|
Nikon · Compact · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Nikon Coolpix S9900
53
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is the newer camera, arriving in 2018 against the Nikon Coolpix S9900's 2015 launch. Both are compacts with a fixed zoom lens, so neither allows lens changes. Neither offers a viewfinder, so both compose on the rear screen. The Nikon measures 112 x 66 x 40 mm and weighs 289 g, against the Canon's 110 x 64 x 40 mm and 299 g, so the Nikon is slightly lighter while the Canon is a touch slimmer. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2018 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 31, 2018 | February 10, 2015 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 110 x 64 x 40 mm | 112 x 66 x 40 mm |
| Camera weight | 299 g | 289 g |
| Optics | 55/100 | 55/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe SX740 HS is the stronger choice for cropping distant subjects, with 21 megapixels against the S9900's 16. Its 10 fps burst suits a bird taking flight better than the Nikon's 7 fps. Sensor format and sensor type match at 1/2.3 inches and CMOS, so the megapixel gap is the main cropping variable. The S9900 counters with useful stills advantages. It offers 16 autofocus points against Canon's 9, a 1/4000-second top shutter speed for freezing motion with a shorter exposure, and a 6400 ISO ceiling that doubles the Canon's 3200. Both cameras include stabilisation for handheld shooting. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
21 MP050 | 16 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 | 4608 x 3456 |
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 | 7 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 | Unspecified |
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 |  4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
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 | 64003003280000 |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 844080 |
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 | 400080032000 |
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 | 160300 |
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 | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 83/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe SX740 HS gives video shooters more resolution to work with, recording up to 4K while the S9900 stops at Full HD. More resolution means more detail on a large television and more room to crop while editing. Both top out at 60 fps. Both cameras offer built-in timelapse recording for sunset sequences, saved in the same MPEG-4 and MOV formats. | ||
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 |  Full HD |
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 | 1920 x 1080 |
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 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe S9900 is the better connected camera for documenting where you shoot. Its GPS tags every photo with location data, handy for mapping a holiday or wildlife sighting, and its touch screen makes setting the focus point quick. The SX740 HS answers with Bluetooth for a persistent low-power link to your phone. Both cameras can transfer photos over Wi-Fi and frame self-portraits or overhead angles on a 3-inch TFT LCD that flips out. Both include a built-in flash, and neither has an external flash shoe. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT 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 | 9210001150001500000 |
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 | No |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe S9900 is the better pick for shooting away from a charger. It is rated for 300 shots against the Canon's 265, and it supports USB charging, so a power bank can top it up on the move. The Canon has no USB charging and runs on its NB-13L battery. Both write to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card, with no second slot on either. The Canon's UHS-I compatibility lets faster cards transfer files more quickly, which helps when offloading long 4K clips. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-13L | EN-EL19 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
265 shots1505000 | 300 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS if video and cropping room matter most. Its 4K recording, extra megapixels for cropping distant wildlife, and faster 10 fps burst make it the stronger all-round travel camera for holidays where clips and action both feature.
Choose the Nikon Coolpix S9900 when location records and on-the-go power matter most. GPS tagging, touch control and USB charging from a power bank suit documenting trips. Otherwise the Canon's 4K video and faster burst cover more travel situations.