Canon PowerShot SX740 HS vs Panasonic Lumix ZS80 — 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 Lumix ZS80
60
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon PowerShot SX740 HS and the Panasonic Lumix ZS80 are both compact cameras sized for everyday carry. The Canon is the lighter and slightly smaller body, at 299 g and 110 x 64 x 40 mm, against 327 g and 112 x 69 x 42 mm for the Panasonic. The ZS80 arrived in 2019, a year after the SX740 HS. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2018 | 2019 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 31, 2018 | February 18, 2019 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 110 x 64 x 40 mm | 112 x 69 x 42 mm |
| Camera weight | 299 g | 327 g |
| Optics | 55/100 | 59/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Lumix ZS80 is the stronger choice for shooting in bright sunlight, because its electronic viewfinder with 2,330,000 dots gives you a way to frame shots when glare washes out the rear screen. The SX740 HS has no viewfinder at all and relies on that screen alone. The Canon counters with a faster top shutter of 1/3200 second against 1/2000, which shortens exposures when you shoot wide open in daylight. For framing moving subjects, the Canon's 9 autofocus points give you more AF areas to place over an off-centre subject than the Panasonic's single point. Where the stills settings match, both offer 10 fps bursts, in-body stabilisation and a native ISO ceiling of 3200. The Canon's 21 MP against 20 MP is a one-megapixel gap with little effect on cropping room. | ||
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 | 244080 |
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 | 10300 |
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 | 233000009900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoEither camera covers handheld travel video. Both shoot 4K, both offer 60 fps as a maximum frame rate, and both write MPEG-4 or MOV files. Timelapse work favours the Canon. The SX740 HS has a built-in timelapse mode, so you can condense a sunset or a busy street into a finished clip in-camera. The ZS80 does not offer the feature. | ||
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 | No |
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 ZS80 is the easier camera to operate quickly, because its touchscreen lets you tap to set focus and swipe through menus. The SX740 HS has no touch control and moves through buttons alone. Both screens tilt, so selfies and low-angle vlogs frame fine either way, and both cameras offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer. The ZS80 also has the sharper display, with 1,040,000 dots against 922,000 for the Canon's TFT screen. Neither camera has GPS, so neither tags your photos with location data on its own. | ||
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 BatteryBattery life favours the ZS80. Its rating is 380 shots per charge against 265 for the SX740 HS. It also supports USB charging, so you can top up from a laptop or power bank between stops, while the Canon uses its NB-13L battery and has no USB charging. Both cameras use a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot with UHS-I compatibility, so the same fast cards work in either body. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| 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 most travel photographers the Panasonic Lumix ZS80 is the better choice. Its viewfinder, touchscreen, longer rated battery life and USB charging all serve a full day of shooting away from a socket, from sightseeing walks to evening streets.
Choose the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS if the lighter carry matters most, since it weighs 28 g less, or if you want built-in timelapses and the shorter 1/3200 second exposure for wide-open daylight work. If framing against glare or a longer battery rating matters more, the ZS80 is the pick.