Rankings
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is a compact travel superzoom that packs a 40× optical lens, 4K video and a flip-up screen into a lightweight body, making it ideal for vacations and casual vlogging. It delivers solid zoom performance and stabilization but falls short on low-light image quality and lacks RAW support.
The COOLPIX P500 is a bridge camera that pairs a 12.1 MP sensor with a massive 36× optical zoom and full-HD video. It offers solid handling, a high-resolution vari-angle screen, and effective image stabilization, but its small sensor limits low-light performance and battery endurance.
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS offers a massive 40× optical zoom, 4K video, and a tilting LCD in a lightweight travel-friendly package. While its sensor is small and battery life modest, the camera excels for casual shooters who need extreme reach and wireless connectivity.
The P950 offers a very long 83× zoom, solid 4K video, and strong stabilization, but its small sensor and weight limit low-light performance and portability.
The P1100 delivers a record-breaking 125× zoom, solid 4K video, and strong image stabilization, but its size, weight, and small sensor make it less suitable for everyday portability.
The Canon PowerShot SX520 HS is a bridge-style point-and-shoot offering a 16 MP sensor, 42× optical zoom and full-HD video, aimed at users who need long reach without interchangeable lenses.
The Panasonic LUMIX ZS60 packs a 30× Leica zoom, 18 MP sensor and 4K video into a compact, lightweight body, making it a versatile travel companion with DSLR-like controls.
The Kodak PIXPRO AZ405 WH is a compact point-and-shoot with a massive 40× optical zoom, 20.68 MP sensor, and AA-battery convenience, targeting casual shooters who need reach and simplicity.
The Panasonic FZ80D bridge camera delivers a staggering 60× optical zoom, 4K video and a high-resolution EVF, aimed at travelers and casual shooters who need extreme reach in a budget-friendly package.
The Sony DSC-H400/B is a bridge camera with an extreme 63× zoom and optical stabilization, delivering solid stills but hampered by modest video, slow burst speed and lack of connectivity.
The Canon PowerShot SX30 IS is a bridge-style superzoom with a massive 35× optical zoom, optical IS and DSLR-like ergonomics, but its CCD sensor, limited video resolution and lack of modern connectivity feel dated.
| Attribute | | | | | | | Canon SX30 IS | | Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12.1 MP | 16 MP | 16 MP | 18.1 MP | 20.68 MPbest | 20.3 MP | 14.1 MP | 20.1 MP | 16 MP | 18.1 MP | 20.3 MP | |
0.435 inchesbest | 0.43 inches | 0.43 inches | 0.43 inches | 0.435 inches | 0.435 inchesbest | 0.43 inches | 0.43 inches | 0.435 inchesbest | 0.43 inches | 0.43 inches | |
36 x | 83 x | 125 xbest | 60 x | 40 x | 40 x | 35 x | 63 x | 42 x | 30 x | 40 x | |
| ↓ lower better | 3.4 f | 2.8 f | 2.8 f | 2.8 f | 3 f | 3.3 f | 2.7 fbest | 3.4 f | 3.4 f | 3.3 f | 3.3 f |
3,200 ISO | 6,400 ISO | 6,400 ISO | 6,400 ISO | 3,200 ISO | 3,200 ISO | 1,600 ISO | 3,200 ISO | 3,200 ISO | 25,600 ISObest | 6,400 ISO | |
1,080 p | 30 p | 30 p | 2,160 pbest | 1,080 p | 2,160 pbest | 720 p | 720 p | 1,080 p | 2,160 pbest | 2,160 pbest | |
5 fps | — | — | 10 fps | — | 10 fps | 3.6 fps | 0.71 fps | 1.6 fps | 30 fpsbest | 10 fps | |
220 shots | 290 shots | 260 shots | 330 shots | 300 shots | 265 shots | 400 shotsbest | 300 shots | 210 shots | 340 shots | 265 shots |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | Canon SX30 IS | | Canon PowerShot SX520 HS | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Image Quality(5) | |||||||||||
Megapixels (MP) | 12.1 MP | 16.0 MP | 16.0 MP | 18.1 MP | 20.68 MP | 20.3 MP | 14.1 MP | 20.1 MP | 16.0 MP | 18.1 MP | 20.3 MP |
Sensor Size (inches) | 0.435 inches | 0.43 inches | 0.43 inches | 0.43 inches | 0.4348 inches | 0.435 inches | 0.43 inches | 0.43 inches | 0.435 inches | 0.43 inches | 0.43 inches |
Optical Zoom (x) | 36 x | 83 x | 125 x | 60 x | 40 x | 40 x | 35 x | 63 x | 42 x | 30 x | 40 x |
Maximum Aperture (f) | 3.4 f | 2.8 f | 2.8 f | 2.8 f | 3 f | 3.3 f | 2.7 f | 3.4 f | 3.4 f | 3.3 f | 3.3 f |
Maximum ISO (ISO) | 3200 ISO | 6400 ISO | 6400 ISO | 6400 ISO | 3200 ISO | 3200 ISO | 1600 ISO | 3200 ISO | 3200 ISO | 25600 ISO | 6400 ISO |
Video(2) | |||||||||||
Video Resolution (p) | 1080 p | 30 p | 30 p | 2160 p | 1080 p | 2160 p | 720 p | 720 p | 1080 p | 2160 p | 2160 p |
Continuous Shooting Speed (fps) | 5 fps | — | — | 10 fps | — | 10 fps | 3.6 fps | 0.71 fps | 1.6 fps | 30 fps | 10.0 fps |
Battery & Power(1) | |||||||||||
Battery Life (shots) (shots) | 220 shots | 290 shots | 260 shots | 330 shots | 300 shots | 265 shots | 400 shots | 300 shots | 210 shots | 340 shots | 265 shots |
Build & Design(1) | |||||||||||
Weight (g) | 494 g | 1000 g | 1410 g | 640 g | 436 g | 275 g | 601 g | 628 g | 441 g | 281 g | 299 g |
Display(2) | |||||||||||
Screen Size (in) | 3.0 in | 3.2 in | 3.2 in | 3.0 in | 3 in | 3.0 in | 2.7 in | 2.95 in | 3.0 in | 3.0 in | 3.0 in |
Screen Resolution (dots) | 921000 dots | 921000 dots | 921000 dots | 1840000 dots | 460000 dots | 922000 dots | 230000 dots | 460800 dots | 461000 dots | 1040000 dots | 922000 dots |
Connectivity(3) | |||||||||||
Wi‑Fi | — | true | true | false | — | true | — | false | — | true | true |
Bluetooth | — | true | true | false | — | true | — | false | — | — | true |
USB Port Type | USB 2.0 | Micro-USB | USB-C | USB-C | Micro-B | — | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | — | — | Micro USB |
Features(1) | |||||||||||
Autofocus System | Contrast-detect | Contrast-detect | Contrast-detect | Contrast Detection | Contrast-detection | — | TTL AF | — | TTL | Contrast Detection | Contrast-Detect AF |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the P500 for its extraordinary zoom range, effective vibration reduction, and responsive handling, while noting softness and noise at extreme zoom or high ISO.
Professional reviewers acknowledge the P950's unrivaled zoom range and the addition of 4K video, RAW capture, and a sharper EVF as strong points for niche applications, while noting sensor size limits image quality.
“Given as a gift, he loves it”
“It feels good in the hand and the zoom range is outstanding”
“No Wi-Fi makes sharing files a hassle”
P1100 provides higher 125× zoom and slightly better stabilization
P950 offers similar features but with a lower 83× zoom and slightly less stabilization
Everyday users love the ability to capture distant subjects without swapping lenses and appreciate the 4K video and touchscreen, though they note noise at high ISO and bulkiness.
Professional reviewers highlight the camera's unparalleled zoom range, strong image stabilization, and robust 4K video capabilities, noting it delivers DSLR-like telephoto reach in a fixed-lens body.
Everyday users praise the extreme zoom and VR performance for wildlife and moon photography, while appreciating the 4K video and flexible LCD screen.
Reviewers praise the impressive zoom and 4K video but criticize the small sensor, lack of modern connectivity and absence of external audio input.
Users love the zoom range and 4K video, yet miss Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and find the camera heavy when fully extended.
Professional reviewers highlight the AZ405's impressive 40× optical zoom and effective OIS as its main strengths, noting the convenience of AA batteries for on-the-go shooting, but criticize the camera's inconsistent video claims, the outdated Motion JPEG format, and the lack of contemporary features such as Wi-Fi, GPS, and 4K recording.
Everyday users appreciate the camera's powerful zoom, ease of use, and battery flexibility, often praising the panorama and detection modes, while common complaints focus on limited video quality, absence of a viewfinder, subpar low-light performance, and a cheap-feeling plastic body.
DPReview and TechRadar praise the SX740 HS for its 4K video and impressive zoom, but criticize the small sensor, 4K crop, and lack of viewfinder or advanced video features.
Users love the extreme zoom and sharp 4K video, but complain about low-light noise, limited battery life, and the absence of manual controls.
Professional reviewers praised the SX30 IS for its extraordinary zoom and stabilization, yet criticized its outdated CCD sensor, lack of RAW, modest 720p video and heavy build.
Reviewers praise the H400's unmatched zoom range and effective stabilization, yet criticize the absence of RAW, modest video, and slow burst performance.
Users appreciate the powerful zoom and easy-to-use modes, but often mention the missing Wi-Fi, limited video quality, and heavy body.
Professional reviewers praise the SX520 HS for its exceptional zoom range and effective image stabilization, noting solid image quality for a bridge camera, but they point out the older DIGIC 4+ processor and lack of RAW support as drawbacks for demanding users.
Everyday users appreciate the camera's ease of use, the ability to capture distant subjects, and the helpful scene modes, while recurring criticisms focus on low-light performance, bulkier handling, and the absence of advanced features like RAW capture.
Professional reviewers praise the massive zoom, 4K video and EVF, but note the small sensor and limited low-light performance.
Users love the portability, zoom range and 4K video, yet complain about short battery life and menu complexity.
Professional reviewers acknowledge the SX740 HS as a capable travel superzoom with solid zoom and 4K video, yet note that its image quality doesn't outshine modern smartphones and the lack of RAW and touchscreen limit its appeal to enthusiasts.
Everyday users love the extreme zoom, one-hand operation and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, but complain about shutter lag, soft images at max zoom, poor low-light performance and short battery life under heavy use.
