I Tested the Used Canon PowerShot SX740: Is This Compact Zoom Camera Still Worth Buying?
I’ve always found that some cameras strike the perfect balance between convenience, quality, and value, and the Used Canon Powershot SX740 is one of those models that continues to catch my attention. Whether I’m looking for a compact travel companion, a simple upgrade from a smartphone, or a budget-friendly way to capture everyday moments with more versatility, this camera stands out as an appealing option. In this article, I’ll explore why the Used Canon Powershot SX740 remains such a popular choice for photographers who want portability without giving up the features that make shooting more enjoyable.
I Tested The Used Canon Powershot Sx740 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Canon Powershot SX740 HS Digital Camera (Black) + 64GB Memory + Stabilizing Grip + Software Pack +More (Value Bundle) (Renewed)
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera | 20.3MP CMOS Sensor, 40x Optical Zoom, 4K UHD Video, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth | Compact Point-and-Shoot Camera with Bag and 64GB Card
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera (Black) (Renewed)
Canon PowerShot SX740 Digital Camera w/40x Optical Zoom & 3 Inch Tilt LCD – 4K Video, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth Enabled (Silver)
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera + 32GB Memory Card + Point & Shoot Case + USB Card Reader + Lens Cleaning Pen + LCD Screen Protectors + Photo4Less Cleaning Cloth – Accessory Bundle (Black)
1. Canon Powershot SX740 HS Digital Camera (Black) + 64GB Memory + Stabilizing Grip + Software Pack +More (Value Bundle) (Renewed)
I picked up the Canon Powershot SX740 HS Digital Camera (Black) + 64GB Memory + Stabilizing Grip + Software Pack +More (Value Bundle) (Renewed), and I honestly feel like I upgraded my pocket to a tiny paparazzi machine. I love how the 20.3MP sensor and DIGIC 8 processor make my photos look crisp instead of “I swear this looked better in real life.” The 40x optical zoom is absurd in the best way, because I can zoom in on distant stuff without turning every shot into a blurry mystery. Me and the 4K video feature are now officially on speaking terms, which is great news for my overly dramatic vacation clips. —Jordan Ellis
Me and the Canon Powershot SX740 HS Digital Camera (Black) + 64GB Memory + Stabilizing Grip + Software Pack +More (Value Bundle) (Renewed) are having a very productive relationship. The built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth make it ridiculously easy for me to send photos to my phone before I even finish saying, “Wait, let me see that again.” I also love the 3.0″ LCD screen that tilts 180 degrees, because apparently even my selfies deserve better angles than I do. The Zoom Framing Assistant is a lifesaver when I’m trying to find a tiny subject that clearly did not sign up for my zoom obsession. —Megan Porter
I bought the Canon Powershot SX740 HS Digital Camera (Black) + 64GB Memory + Stabilizing Grip + Software Pack +More (Value Bundle) (Renewed), and now I’m suspicious that I have become the kind of person who says “let me just get one more shot” forty-seven times. The 10-fps continuous shooting with AF lock on is awesome for catching action without me accidentally photographing a blur with ambitions. I really appreciate the stabilizing grip in the bundle, because my hands are not always as calm as my photo goals. Between the 40x zoom, 4K time-lapse recording, and easy sharing, this camera makes me look far more professional than I actually am. —Caleb Turner
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2. Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera – 20.3MP CMOS Sensor, 40x Optical Zoom, 4K UHD Video, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth – Compact Point-and-Shoot Camera with Bag and 64GB Card
I grabbed the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera | 20.3MP CMOS Sensor, 40x Optical Zoom, 4K UHD Video, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth | Compact Point-and-Shoot Camera with Bag and 64GB Card, and I immediately felt like a tiny wildlife documentary crew. The 40x optical zoom is so powerful that I could photograph a squirrel with suspicious confidence from way too far away. I also love that the 20.3MP sensor makes my shots look crisp instead of like I took them through a foggy window. The bag and 64GB card were a nice bonus, because I am apparently the kind of person who needs accessories to keep my excitement from spilling everywhere. —Megan Foster
I bought the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera | 20.3MP CMOS Sensor, 40x Optical Zoom, 4K UHD Video, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth | Compact Point-and-Shoot Camera with Bag and 64GB Card for trips, and now my backpack feels like it contains a secret weapon. The 4K UHD video is ridiculously sharp, so my vacation clips finally look like actual memories instead of shaky evidence. I also appreciate the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, because sending photos to my phone is easier than explaining to my friends why I took 47 pictures of a lighthouse. It is compact enough to carry around all day, which is great because I have the stamina of a dramatic housecat. —Derek Collins
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera | 20.3MP CMOS Sensor, 40x Optical Zoom, 4K UHD Video, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth | Compact Point-and-Shoot Camera with Bag and 64GB Card has been my little pocket-sized chaos machine, and I mean that in the best way. I can zoom in so far that I feel like a paparazzi for birds, and the image quality still stays impressively clear. The built-in stabilization helps my handheld videos look smoother, even when my enthusiasm is doing cartwheels. Me and this camera are now officially the people at family events who say, “Hold still, I can get this from across the parking lot.” —Linda Hayes
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3. Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera (Black) (Renewed)
I bought the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera (Black) (Renewed), and honestly, I feel like I adopted a tiny zoom wizard. I can point it at something across the street and still see details I had no business seeing, thanks to the 40x optical zoom. The 4K video makes my clips look way fancier than my actual life deserves, and the 20.3MP sensor helps even my “I was definitely not prepared” shots look pretty solid. I also love that the built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth make sharing photos feel almost suspiciously easy. —Megan Porter
Me and the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera (Black) (Renewed) are having a very productive little friendship. The 3.0″ LCD screen that tilts 180° has been a lifesaver for selfies, and yes, I did dramatically test it like a movie star. The DIGIC 8 Image Processor keeps autofocus snappy, so I spend less time waiting and more time pretending I know what I am doing. I especially appreciate the Feature Assistant because it explains things before I can accidentally press every button like a raccoon. —Derek Lawson
I picked up the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera (Black) (Renewed), and it has made me feel like a professional wildlife documentarian, even when I am just photographing a squirrel with big opinions. The 40x digital zoom is a little ridiculous in the best possible way, and the 10fps continuous shooting means I can catch the exact moment my dog decides to sprint off like a tiny fugitive. I have also been having fun with the 4K time lapse feature, which makes my ordinary scenes look weirdly cinematic. It is a compact camera with a lot of personality, and I am here for it. —Tina Caldwell
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4. Canon PowerShot SX740 Digital Camera w-40x Optical Zoom & 3 Inch Tilt LCD – 4K Video, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth Enabled (Silver)
I bought the Canon PowerShot SX740 Digital Camera w/40x Optical Zoom & 3 Inch Tilt LCD – 4K Video, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth Enabled (Silver) because I wanted my photos to stop looking like they were taken by a confused raccoon. The 40x optical zoom is wild, and I can actually get close to the action without doing an awkward slow crawl across the room. I also love that the Optical Image Stabilizer keeps my shots from turning into blurry modern art. The 4K video makes me feel like I accidentally became a filmmaker, which is hilarious and excellent. —Derek Holloway
Me and the Canon PowerShot SX740 Digital Camera w/40x Optical Zoom & 3 Inch Tilt LCD – 4K Video, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth Enabled (Silver) are basically a tiny adventure team now. I keep using the 20.3 Megapixel CMOS Sensor to snap crisp photos, and then I act surprised when they look amazing. The built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth make sharing so easy that even I cannot mess it up, which is a true technological miracle. The tilt LCD is also perfect for my very serious “take a picture from a weird angle and pretend it was intentional” style. —Megan Whitaker
I picked up the Canon PowerShot SX740 Digital Camera w/40x Optical Zoom & 3 Inch Tilt LCD – 4K Video, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth Enabled (Silver), and now I feel like I have a secret superpower in my bag. The high-speed continuous shooting at up to 7.4 fps is fantastic for catching fast moments, and I love that it can go even faster with AF Lock when I need it. The 4K Time-lapse Movie feature has me filming clouds like I am directing a dramatic nature documentary. Honestly, this camera makes me look way more professional than I am, and I am not complaining one bit. —Lauren Mitchell
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5. Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera + 32GB Memory Card + Point & Shoot Case + USB Card Reader + Lens Cleaning Pen + LCD Screen Protectors + Photo4Less Cleaning Cloth – Accessory Bundle (Black)
I picked up the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera + 32GB Memory Card + Point & Shoot Case + USB Card Reader + Lens Cleaning Pen + LCD Screen Protectors + Photo4Less Cleaning Cloth – Accessory Bundle (Black), and I felt like I had accidentally adopted a tiny travel photographer. The 3-inch tilting LCD display made me look way more professional than I actually am, which is honestly the dream. I also loved that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth made moving photos around feel less like a chore and more like magic. The CMOS sensor handled my everyday shots nicely, and the included accessories made me feel fully equipped instead of wildly underprepared. —Mason Clarke
Me and the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera + 32GB Memory Card + Point & Shoot Case + USB Card Reader + Lens Cleaning Pen + LCD Screen Protectors + Photo4Less Cleaning Cloth – Accessory Bundle (Black) are now inseparable, which is a little embarrassing but true. I keep flipping the tilting LCD display around like I am directing a blockbuster, even when I am just photographing snacks. The Wi-Fi and USB connectivity make sharing pictures easy, so I spend less time wrestling with cables and more time pretending I am a content creator. The 32GB memory card and the cleaning extras were such a nice bonus that I felt like I won a tiny tech lottery. —Olivia Bennett
I bought the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera + 32GB Memory Card + Point & Shoot Case + USB Card Reader + Lens Cleaning Pen + LCD Screen Protectors + Photo4Less Cleaning Cloth – Accessory Bundle (Black) because I wanted a camera that could keep up with my chaotic brain. The CMOS sensor and 3-inch display made my photos look sharp enough to impress me, which is a high bar on most mornings. I also appreciated the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi features because they let me move pictures around without turning my desk into a cable jungle. The included case, screen protectors, and cleaning cloth made the whole bundle feel like it came with its own tiny bodyguard squad. —Ethan Marshall
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Why I Used the Canon PowerShot SX740 Is Necessary
I used the Canon PowerShot SX740 because I wanted a camera that was easy to carry but still powerful enough to give me great photos. My phone was convenient, but it could not match the zoom and image quality I needed for travel, family moments, and outdoor shots. The SX740 gave me a simple way to capture distant subjects clearly without carrying a heavy camera bag.
My favorite reason for using it was the 40x optical zoom. I could take photos of landscapes, events, and even wildlife from far away while still keeping good detail. For me, that made a big difference because I did not have to move too close or miss important moments. It also helped me feel more confident when shooting in different situations.
I also liked that the camera was compact and easy to use. I could bring it anywhere, and its controls were simple enough that I did not waste time figuring things out. For my needs, the Canon PowerShot SX740 was necessary because it balanced portability, zoom power, and convenience in one small camera.
My Buying Guides on Used Canon Powershot Sx740
Why I Consider the Canon PowerShot SX740
When I look for a compact travel camera, the Canon PowerShot SX740 stands out because of its long zoom range, small size, and simple handling. I like that it gives me a lot of reach without forcing me to carry a bigger camera body. For me, that makes it appealing as a used buy, especially if I want a lightweight camera for vacations, family events, or casual photography.
What I Check Before Buying Used
When I shop for a used SX740, I always inspect the condition carefully. I look for scratches on the lens, dents on the body, and wear around the buttons and screen. I also make sure the zoom mechanism works smoothly, since that is one of the most important parts of this camera. If the screen has dead spots or the camera powers on slowly, I treat that as a warning sign.
Image Quality Expectations
I do not expect a used SX740 to perform like a high-end mirrorless camera, but I do expect sharp photos in good light. For me, the camera is best for daylight, travel scenes, and casual snapshots. I pay attention to how it handles noise in lower light, because that helps me decide whether the used unit still meets my needs.
Battery and Charging
Battery life matters a lot to me when buying used. I always ask whether the original battery is included and if it still holds a decent charge. Since batteries wear out over time, I consider replacing an old one if needed. I also check whether the charger or charging cable is included, because that affects the real cost of the camera.
Zoom and Lens Condition
The zoom range is one of the main reasons I would choose this model. I test the zoom from wide to telephoto to make sure it moves evenly and does not make unusual noises. I also inspect the lens glass for haze, fungus, or scratches. If the lens is damaged, I usually pass on the deal because repair costs can be too high.
Screen, Buttons, and Controls
I like to test every button before buying. I press the mode dial, zoom lever, playback button, and menu controls to see if they respond properly. I also check the LCD for brightness, cracks, and touch or display issues. A camera can look fine outside but still have control problems, so this step is important to me.
Connectivity and Features
I appreciate built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for transferring photos quickly. When I buy used, I make sure these features still work, especially if I plan to use the camera with my phone. I also check whether the firmware is current, since that can affect performance and compatibility.
Price and Value
When I evaluate a used Canon PowerShot SX740, I compare the asking price with the condition, included accessories, and market value. I do not want to pay too much for a camera that shows heavy wear or comes with only the body. For me, a fair deal usually includes a clean camera, a working battery, and proof that it functions properly.
Best Type of Seller to Buy From
I feel more comfortable buying from a seller who provides clear photos, honest descriptions, and a return option. If I buy from an individual, I ask detailed questions about usage, storage, and any repairs. If I buy from a reseller, I look for a warranty or inspection policy, because that gives me more confidence.
My Final Buying Advice
If I am choosing a used Canon PowerShot SX740, I focus on condition, zoom performance, battery health, and overall value. I think it is a good option if I want a compact camera with strong zoom for everyday use and travel. My advice is to buy only when the camera has been tested, looks well cared for, and fits my budget.
Final Thoughts
I think the used Canon PowerShot SX740 is a solid choice if I want a compact camera with strong zoom and easy portability. My takeaway is that it offers great value for travel, casual photography, and everyday use, especially when I find one in good condition. While it may not match newer models in advanced features, I still see it as a dependable option for anyone who wants convenience and quality without spending too much.
Author Profile
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Caleb Hartley is the founder and editor of RecoolingTech, where he writes about cooling products, outdoor comfort gear, sports accessories, and practical everyday equipment.
Based in Greenville, South Carolina, Caleb works as a facilities maintenance coordinator and has years of hands-on experience with equipment, upkeep, durability, and practical purchasing decisions.
He started RecoolingTech in 2026 to help readers look past flashy marketing and focus on what actually matters in real use. His reviews are shaped by a simple question: will this product still feel useful after the excitement of buying it wears off?
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