Canon PowerShot SX740 HS vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX99 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Compact · 21 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
53
WINNER
|
Sony · Compact · 18 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX99
49
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon PowerShot SX740 HS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX99 are 2018 travel zoom compacts with permanently attached lenses, so your zoom range is fixed at purchase. The HX99 is the smaller and lighter carry, at 102 x 58 x 36 mm and 242 g against 110 x 64 x 40 mm and 299 g. That 57 g saving favours the Sony for a pocket you take everywhere. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2018 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 31, 2018 | September 1, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 110 x 64 x 40 mm | 102 x 58 x 36 mm |
| Camera weight | 299 g | 242 g |
| Optics | 55/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe SX740 HS gives you more room to crop a distant bird or stage performer, with 21 MP against 18 MP from the same 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor format. Its 1/3200 second top shutter speed also allows a shorter exposure than the HX99's 1/2000, helping freeze bright, fast motion. The HX99 answers with an electronic viewfinder of 2,359,296 dots, while the SX740 HS has none and depends entirely on its rear screen for composing. Both offer in-body stabilisation and 10 fps bursts, and standard ISO tops out at 3200 on each, with the Sony's expanded range stretching to 12800 ISO. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
21 MP050 | 18 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 | 4896 x 3672 |
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 | Bionz X |
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 | 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 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
1544080 | 3044080 |
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 | 90300 |
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 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe SX740 HS can assemble a sunset or cloudscape time-lapse entirely in camera, which the HX99 cannot. Their maximum video capability otherwise matches, with both recording up to 4K and a 60 fps top frame rate. Canon writes MPEG-4 and MOV files, while Sony uses AVCHD and XAVC S. | ||
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 | AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Features | 54/100 | 52/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesTouch control goes to the HX99, so you can tap to place the focus point on its 3-inch screen instead of working through buttons. The SX740 HS screen is sharper to inspect, with 922,000 dots against 638,400. Both offer Wi-Fi for wireless transfer, and only the Canon adds Bluetooth for a low-power phone link. Neither camera has GPS for geotagging or weather sealing. | ||
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 | 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 | 6384001150001500000 |
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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryA day of shooting away from a charger favours the HX99, which is rated for 370 shots against 265 for the SX740 HS. Both use a single card slot, taking SD, SDHC and SDXC, so neither offers backup or overflow storage. The Canon slot supports faster UHS-I cards, and the Sony also accepts Memory Stick Duo. Neither battery charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-13L | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
265 shots1505000 | 370 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the HX99 for the pocketable, always-with-you camera: it is smaller and lighter, lasts longer per charge, and adds an electronic viewfinder and touch focusing for bright-day and candid shooting. Pick the SX740 HS if you shoot time-lapses, want more crop margin on distant wildlife, or value a sharper screen and Bluetooth pairing for quick phone transfers. Both deliver 4K clips and stabilised handheld shooting, so the choice rests on those practical habits.