Canon SX730 HS Review

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SX730 HS Overview
Specifications
Prices

Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Canon PowerShot SX730 HS
Resolution:	20.30 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1/2.3 inch (6.2mm x 4.6mm)
Lens:	40.00x zoom (24-960mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	No / LCD
Native ISO:	80 - 3200
Extended ISO:	80 - 3200
Shutter:	1/3200 - 15 sec
Max Aperture:	3.3
Dimensions:	4.3 x 2.5 x 1.6 in. (110 x 64 x 40 mm)
Weight:	10.6 oz (300 g) includes batteries
Availability:	06/2017
Manufacturer:	Canon
Full specs:	Canon SX730 HS specifications

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Canon SX730 (Black)

Canon SX730 (Black)
Canon SX730 (Silver)

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20.30 Megapixels	40.00x zoom	1/2.3 inch size sensor

Canon SX730 Review -- First Impressions

by Jeremy Gray
Preview posted: 04/06/2017

With a 40x optical zoom, the compact Canon SX730 HS is designed for families on vacation and for parents that like to photograph their children's outdoor sporting events. The predecessor, the SX720 HS, was the world's first pocket superzoom when it released last year, and the SX730 HS builds on the existing formula. While it maintains the same 24-960mm equivalent focal length range and 20.3-megapixel sensor as the earlier model, the new PowerShot SX730 does, however, offer some new shooting modes, a flip-up screen and Bluetooth connectivity. Let's take a look at what the Canon SX730 HS offers.

Key Features

24-960mm equivalent built-in lens (40x zoom)
Compact form factor
Tilting 3-inch display
Full HD video at up to 60 frames per second
Continuous shooting at nearly 6 frames per second
Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth
US$400 suggested retail price

Camera body: Compact size despite 40x optical zoom lens

With dimensions of about 4.3 x 2.5 x 1.6 inches (110.1 x 63.8 x 39.9 millimeters) and a weight of 10.6 ounces (300 grams) with battery and card, the Canon SX730 is a touch wider and deeper than its predecessor, as well as being about an ounce (30 grams) heavier (no doubt thanks to its new tilting LCD). However it is still very impressive that Canon was able to fit a 40x optical zoom lens into the camera while keeping it easily pocketable. The 24-960mm equivalent lens offers a maximum aperture range of f/3.3-6.9 with an actual focal length range of 4.3-172mm. The lens also has optical image stabilization to help keep your shots steady, which is particularly important at the telephoto end of the lens.

The camera looks fairly sleek and has familiar controls to anyone who has used a compact camera, but it is slightly different than its predecessor in its layout. The SX720 HS had the mode dial on the rear of the camera next to the thumb rest, but the new SX730 HS moves the mode dial to the top of the camera, which leaves more room for the thumb rest on the back. The top mode dial means that the dedicated movie record button is slightly smaller on the SX730 HS, but that shouldn't pose any issues.

The Canon SX730 HS.

The Canon SX720 HS.

The front of the camera looks more or less the same, although it appears that the front grip material or at least the texture has changed. The new grip material is on the back as well. Further, the placement of the rear buttons has changed compared to the old model, although the overall layout is the same. There is a new feature on the back of the camera, however, as the rear 3-inch LCD can now tilt upward, whereas the display on the SX720 HS was fixed.

Canon SX730 shooting features

20.3-megapixel Sensor

The Canon SX730HS uses the same 20.3-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor as its predecessor. As we saw in the Field Test for the SX720 HS, this small sensor size has limitations at higher ISOs in its native range. The ISO range of the camera is still 80-3200, by the way, although it is limited to only 80-1600 when using Auto ISO.

Performance Specifications

With its DIGIC 6 image processor, the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS offers decent continuous shooting speeds identical to its predecessor's. When recording images with One-Shot autofocus, the camera is said to capture JPEG images at up to 5.9 frames per second. Shooting with continuous autofocus slows the camera down to 4.6 fps and shooting continuously in Low-Light mode slows the camera further to 2.3 fps. Speaking of autofocus, the camera uses a contrast-detect autofocus system.

The camera uses a proprietary NB-13L battery pack for power, the same as its predecessor, which delivers up to 250 shots or 355 shots in the special ECO mode. That's the same rating as its predecessor. A dedicated battery charger is included in the bundle, but we believe in-camera charging via USB is also supported like it is on the SX720.

Shooting Modes and Video

With a variety of shooting modes, the Canon SX730 HS can record JPEG images (with multiple size and two compression options) in a wide array of situations. You can shoot in Program Auto, Hybrid Auto and Auto shooting modes, as well as in Aperture-Priority, Shutter-Priority or full Manual modes. The camera has +/- 2 EV of exposure compensation, as well. If you are feeling more adventurous, the camera has a Creative Shot mode and a variety of special effects, including Miniature, Toy Camera, Monochrome, Super Vivid and Poster effects. There are additional shooting modes including Portrait, High-Speed Burst, Handheld Night Scene, Low Light, Fireworks and Long Shutter. There are a variety of "My Color" options to choose from, as well, to give your images the desired look: Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black and White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, and Custom Color.

For portrait photographers, there are Portrait, Smile, Wink Self-Timer and Face Self-Timer shooting options. The self-timer is available in 2 and 10 second durations, and there's also a custom duration setting. With the tilting display, there's also a new Self Portrait mode.

Regarding video, the SX730 HS can record Full HD (1920 x 1080) video at up to 60p (59.94 fps). The camera records in the MP4 file format at a bit rate of 35 Mbps. The single clip recording limit is 29 minutes and 59 seconds.

Connectivity

Like its predecessor, the camera also includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity. An area of improvement for the SX730 HS is that it now also includes Bluetooth connectivity, which maintains a connection between your camera and your smart-device without needing to reconnect to Wi-Fi each time you want to share or transfer images. By pairing your SX730 HS to a compatible smartphone, you can also use the phone's GPS information to geotag your image files.

Other connection options include HDMI out via HDMI Type-D and Hi-Speed Micro-B USB, which allows direct connection to Canon's Selphy and Pixma printers.

Canon SX730 pricing and availability

The Canon SX730 HS will be available from June 2017 for a suggested retail price of just under US$400, which is $20 more than the SX720 HS was when it launched last year. The camera will be available in two colors: black or silver.

If you'd like to learn what sort of performance you can expect from the SX730 HS, head on over to our Canon SX720 HS Field Test. The cameras do share many features, after all.