Canon have updated their new superzoom travel compact camera for 2018/19, the PowerShot SX740 HS, by adding UHD 4K video recording and faster 7.4fps burst shooting, thanks to the inclusion of the latest Digic 8 processor.

Canon's latest travel zoom compact camera offers a 40x optical zoom in a body that'll snugly fit in your pocket. In 35mm terms, that's 24-960mm, giving you a huge amount of flexibility when it comes to snapping distant subjects.

40x optical zoom makes it versatile; Generally accurate autofocus; Good photo quality in daytime; Shoots 4K video at 30fps

Small sensor restricts low light performance; No option to shoot in Raw; Screen isn't touch-sensitive

40x optical zoom makes it versatile; Generally accurate autofocus; Good photo quality in daytime; Shoots 4K video at 30fps;

Small sensor restricts low light performance; No option to shoot in Raw; Screen isn’t touch-sensitive;

Was hoping to use the camera when out and about and not wanting to carry any bag, just pop it in a pocket. Also wanting the reach of that long lens. I knew the quality at the long end might be compromised but found that all images, even wide angle were overly sharpened, full of artifacts and just...

Lightweight; Simple Controls

Poor image quality

An affordable, solidly-featured travel cam that goes big on the zoom, but small on the extras

40x optical zoom; Good image quality in good light; Easy to use; Well priced

No touchscreen; Raw shooting not supported; Smaller sensor means iffy low-light performance

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, pocket-sized travel compact and your main consideration is the zoom ratio, then the Canon SX740 is a great choice. It’s also not too damaging on the old bank balance, coming in at around £350. By contrast, the other compact cameras, like the Panasonic Lumix TZ200 or the Sony RX100 VI, which tend to be marketed towards travel and family type users, are much more expensive and have a much more restricted zoom (but have a larger sensor, raw format shooting, touchscreens and so on). It’s clear that the SX740 represents a compromise – as pretty much all compact cameras do these days. Whether it’s the one you want is largely down to personal preference, but it’s certainly worth thinking about packing it in your suitcase.

40x optical zoom; Good image quality in good light; Easy to use; Well priced;

No touchscreen; Raw shooting not supported; Smaller sensor means iffy low-light performance;

40x optical zoom; Good image quality in good light; Easy to use; Well priced;

No touchscreen; Raw shooting not supported; Smaller sensor means iffy low-light performance;

The Canon Powershot SX740 HS updates the SX730 HS , and adds 4K video recording, as well as offering faster continuous shooting. The sensor remains a 20.1mp BSI CMOS sensor, and there's an impressively long 40x optical zoom lens, with improved image stabilisation.

40x optical zoom lens; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built-in; Good handling and metal body; 4K video recording added; 1cm macro focus

Noise and noise processing removes detail; No panoramic shooting mode; Images soft (often; Lacks raw

The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is almost identical to its predecessor the SX730 HS. However, an upgrade to the processing engine gives the new camera a faster continuous shooting rate and UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) video capability at 29.97/25fps.

Hard to beat this camera at this price point. Zoom is hands down the best at this price. Wireless image transfer is a nice feature, as well as the 4K video. My wife uses the camera mainly for wildlife pictures and she's happy with it

Zoom; 4K video; screen

Exposure has a completely different feel than older model