Canon PowerShot SX740 HS: Worth It Post-Discontinuation?

Seven years after its 2018 launch, the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS still outsells newer compact cameras—and now that Canon has officially discontinued it, demand is spiking again. Whether you’re hunting for a pocket travel zoom or weighing it against the iPhone in your pocket, here’s what you need to know before buying a discontinued camera.

Optical Zoom: 40x · Sensor: 20.3 Megapixel CMOS · Video: 4K Ultra HD · Depth: 39.9 mm · Processor: DIGIC 8

Is the Canon SX740 HS worth buying?

The SX740 HS occupies an unusual position: it’s a discontinued 2018 camera that keeps finding buyers in 2024, even as smartphones have eaten into compact camera territory. Digital Camera World notes that despite being seven years old, the camera still outsells newer rivals. The reason is simple: nothing else in this size class delivers 40x optical zoom.

Pros and cons

Value in 2024

At launch, the SX740 HS retailed around €450 in Europe. Today, the Lite Edition carries an official price of €549.99 at the Canon Ireland official store, a premium that reflects scarcity rather than updated features. Used units are appearing on eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace as stock dries up at authorized retailers.

User reviews

Community reviews on DPReview highlight the camera’s ease of use and impressive zoom range while noting that battery life drops noticeably during video capture. DIY Photography reports the camera remains highly sought after despite discontinuation, driven by travelers and wildlife enthusiasts who need reach no smartphone can match.

Has the Canon SX740 HS been discontinued?

Canon suspended orders for the SX740 HS in March 2025, with the camera officially discontinued that same year. Canon Rumors confirmed the production end, noting the move preceded the launch of Canon’s new PowerShot V1. The company has not announced a direct successor with equivalent superzoom capability.

Official status

Canon has officially ended production of the SX740 HS. OWC Blog reports that the camera is out of stock at most authorized retailers. The PowerShot V1 now leads Canon’s point-and-shoot lineup, though it targets a different segment with its larger sensor and different form factor.

Availability now

New unit availability is severely limited. The Lite Edition remains listed at the Canon Ireland store, though stock status varies. Third-party retailers including Harvey Norman Ireland and Amazon may have remaining inventory at varying prices. The Canon Ireland official store shows the Lite Edition priced at €549.99.

Lite edition differences

The SX740 HS Lite Edition launched alongside the standard model in June 2018. The package typically includes a carrying case and a spare battery, addressing one of the standard model’s known limitations. Beyond the accessories, the camera hardware remains identical.

Which is better, the Canon G7X or the SX740?

The Canon G7X Mark III and SX740 HS serve different purposes despite both being compact cameras. Digital Camera World’s comparison highlights where each camera excels.

Key spec differences

The G7X Mark III’s 1-inch sensor significantly outperforms the SX740 HS in low light, capturing cleaner images at ISO 1600 and above. Its faster maximum aperture (f/1.8 versus f/3.3) lets in more light and produces shallower depth of field for portraits. The touch screen and RAW support make the G7X more versatile for serious photographers.

Zoom vs portability

If zoom range is the priority, the SX740 HS wins decisively. Its 40x optical zoom reaches 960mm equivalent—nearly ten times further than the G7X’s 100mm maximum. For wildlife, sports, or travel photography where subjects are distant, the SX740 HS delivers capability no G7X can match.

Image quality

In good lighting, both cameras produce comparable results at base ISO. The G7X pulls ahead as light diminishes, with its larger sensor maintaining detail and controlling noise better. Dynamic range on the SX740 HS is modest, and high-contrast scenes can appear flat, according to Digital Camera World’s review.

The implication: choose the G7X if image quality and low-light performance matter; choose the SX740 if zoom reach is non-negotiable and you can work within the smaller sensor’s limitations.

How old is the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS?

The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS launched in June 2018, making it seven years old as of 2025. Digital Camera World describes it as “a 2018 camera at heart,” acknowledging its age while explaining why it still attracts buyers.

Release timeline

• June 2018: Canon PowerShot SX740 HS and Lite Edition launch globally
• 2018–2024: Continuous production and sales through retail channels
• March 2025: Canon suspends orders ahead of PowerShot V1 announcement
• 2025: Official discontinuation confirmed

Updates and variants

The SX740 HS received no major hardware revisions during its production run. The only variant was the Lite Edition, which bundled extra accessories without changing the camera’s core specifications. Canon maintained the model in its lineup longer than typical for compact cameras, reflecting sustained demand for the superzoom category.

Product lifespan

Seven years of continuous production is unusual for a compact camera in the smartphone era. The SX740 HS outlived most of its competition, including various Sony RX100 variants and other superzoom models that manufacturers discontinued earlier. OWC Blog’s retrospective notes the camera’s all-in-one versatility as a key reason for its longevity.

Is a Canon PowerShot better than an iPhone?

The answer depends entirely on what you’re photographing. Digital Camera World and other sources provide context for this ongoing debate among photography enthusiasts.

Zoom and sensor advantages

The SX740 HS’s 40x optical zoom provides genuine reach no iPhone matches. At 40× magnification, the camera captures subjects at 960mm equivalent focal length with full optical quality. Even the iPhone 16 Pro’s advanced computational photography cannot replicate this level of magnification without significant quality loss.

The trade-off is sensor size. The SX740 HS’s 1/2.3-inch sensor is roughly 1/15th the area of the iPhone 16 Pro’s main camera sensor. In bright light, both can produce acceptable results, but the gap widens as illumination decreases.

iPhone 16 Pro matchup

The iPhone 16 Pro offers Smart HDR, Night mode, and computational photography features that process multiple frames into a single optimized image. These software capabilities partially compensate for the smaller optical zoom (5× on the telephoto lens), but digital zoom beyond that range degrades quality significantly.

For video, iPhones excel with stabilized footage, automatic editing suggestions, and seamless integration with the iOS ecosystem. The SX740 HS captures 4K video but lacks the computational video processing iPhones deliver.

Use cases

Choose the SX740 HS for wildlife photography, birding, astronomy, or any scenario where subjects are far away and optical quality at zoom matters. Choose an iPhone for street photography, social media content, vlogging, or situations where convenience and computational features outweigh zoom requirements.

The catch is that if you primarily photograph in good light and value portability above all, the iPhone in your pocket already outperforms the SX740 HS in most everyday scenarios. The Canon earns its place only when that 40× zoom becomes essential.

Canon SX740 HS full specifications

Six key details differentiate this superzoom from competitors and constrain its performance envelope.

Confirmed facts and rumors

What this means: Canon has confirmed the end of SX740 HS production, but the company hasn’t disclosed its long-term strategy for the superzoom category. Buyers should assume no direct replacement is imminent and plan accordingly.

What reviewers and users say

“The SX740 HS remains highly sought after despite discontinuation, driven by photographers who need genuine optical zoom that smartphones simply cannot provide.”

— DIY Photography

“Low light performance reveals the limitations of the 1/2.3-inch sensor, with increased noise and detail loss compared to cameras with larger sensors.”

— Digital Camera World

“The Canon PowerShot V1 is now leading Canon’s point-and-shoot lineup, replacing the SX740 HS at the entry level for compact camera buyers.”

— OWC Blog

Community feedback from DPReview users highlights the camera’s practical advantages: the Zoom Framing Assistant makes tracking subjects at full zoom manageable, and the pocket-sized form factor encourages more shooting than a larger camera would. The consistent criticism centers on low-light image quality and the absence of RAW recording.

For travelers and wildlife enthusiasts in Ireland and across Europe, the SX740 HS remains viable if you find it in stock at a reasonable price. The €549.99 Lite Edition asking price at the Canon Ireland official store represents the last official channel for a new unit.

Bottom line

The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is a specialist tool, not a general-purpose camera. Its 40× optical zoom delivers reach no current smartphone matches, but the 1/2.3-inch sensor imposes real limitations in low light and demanding conditions. With Canon officially discontinuing the model in 2025, remaining stock is depleting, and prices may rise as supply shrinks.

For Irish buyers specifically: the €549.99 Lite Edition at the Canon Ireland store is the reference price to beat, though authorized retailer availability varies. If you need genuine telephoto reach in a pocket-sized body and can accept the sensor limitations, the SX740 HS remains the only game in town. If image quality matters more than zoom, look to the G7X Mark III or accept that the iPhone in your pocket is probably sufficient for most situations.