Rankings
The Panasonic LUMIX TZ/ZS99 is a compact travel camera offering a 30× Leica optical zoom, 4K video and a tilting touchscreen, making it versatile for a wide range of shooting scenarios. Its limitations include a small sensor that hampers low-light performance and moderate battery life. It is best for travelers, casual shooters and vloggers who need a pocket-sized camera with extensive zoom and modern connectivity.
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is a compact point-and-shoot camera offering a standout 40× optical zoom and 4K video capability. Its small 1/2.3-inch sensor limits low-light performance and it lacks slow-motion video and panorama modes. Best suited for travelers and casual vloggers who prioritize zoom reach and easy wireless sharing.
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is an ultra-compact point-and-shoot with a 20.3 MP sensor and a massive 40× zoom, highlighted by 5-axis stabilization and 4K video. Its small sensor and lack of a viewfinder limit low-light performance and precise framing. Ideal for travelers and vloggers who need extreme reach in a pocket-size body.
The Panasonic LUMIX FZ80D is a bridge-style point-and-shoot featuring a 60× optical zoom, 18.1 MP sensor and 4K video capabilities. Its extensive zoom range and fast 10 fps burst are offset by a small sensor that struggles in low light and a fixed rear screen without weather sealing. Suited for travelers and hobbyists seeking versatile reach and modern video features in a single package.
The Sony DSC-WX300 is a pocket-sized compact camera with an 18 MP sensor, 20× optical zoom and built-in Wi-Fi, praised for its versatile zoom range and fast burst shooting. Its small sensor and fixed screen limit low-light performance and compositional flexibility. Suited for casual travelers and vloggers who value zoom and wireless sharing over professional image quality.
The Kodak AZ405 is a compact bridge camera delivering a 40× zoom and 20 MP sensor, aimed at beginners and travelers who need versatile reach. Trade-offs include a small sensor that struggles in low light, a modest LCD, and limited video capabilities. Best suited for casual shooters who value zoom range and AA battery convenience over high-end image quality.
| Attribute | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20.3 MPbest | 20 MP | 20.3 MPbest | 18.1 MP | 18 MP | 20.3 MPbest | |
30 x | 40 x | 40 x | 60 xbest | 20 x | 40 x | |
— | — | — | — | 4.2 hoursbest | — | |
— | 3 f | — | 2.8 f | 3.5 fbest | 3.3 f | |
| ↓ lower better | 322 g | 436 g | 275 g | 616 g | 166 gbest | 299 g |
— | 24 mm | — | — | 25 mmbest | 24 mm | |
60 x | 4 x | 4 x | 120 xbest | 40 x | 4 x | |
120 fpsbest | 30 fps | 29.97 fps | 30 fps | 60 fps | 30 fps |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Image(2) | ||||||
Megapixels (MP) | 20.3 MP | 20 MP | 20.3 MP | 18.1 MP | 18 MP | 20.3 MP |
ISO Range | 80-6400 | 100-3200 | 3200 | 80-6400 | 12800 | 3200 |
Lens(4) | ||||||
Optical Zoom (x) | 30 x | 40 x | 40 x | 60 x | 20 x | 40 x |
Digital Zoom (x) | 60 x | 4 x | 4 x | 120 x | 40 x | 4 x |
Maximum Aperture (f‑stop) (f) | 3.3-6.4 f | 3.0 f | — | 2.8 f | 3.5 f | 3.3 f |
Focal Length (35 mm equivalent) (mm) | 24-720 mm | 24 mm | — | 20-1200 mm | 25 mm | 24 mm |
Video(2) | ||||||
Video Resolution | 4K | 1080p | 4K | 4K | 1080p Full HD | 4K UHD |
Video Frame Rate (fps) | 120 fps | 30 fps | 29.97 fps | 30 fps | 60 fps | 30 fps |
Build & Design(2) | ||||||
Weight (g) | 322 g | 436 g | 275 g | 616 g | 166 g | 299 g |
Dimensions (W×H×D) (mm) | 4.409x2.677x1.693 mm | 114.3x81.6x84.4 mm mm | 109.22 x 63.5 x 40.64 mm mm | 94.3×130.2×119.2 mm mm | 96 x 55 x 25 mm mm | 110.1 x 63.8 x 39.9 mm mm |
Connectivity(1) | ||||||
USB Interface | USB-C | — | — | USB-C | Micro USB | USB 2.0 |
Display(3) | ||||||
Screen Size (in) | 3.0 in | 3 in | 3.0 in | 3.0 in | 3.0 in | 3.0 in |
Screen Resolution | 1840000 | 460000 | — | 1840k | 460,000 dots | 921,600 dots |
Touchscreen | true | — | — | true | false | false |
Battery & Power(1) | ||||||
Battery Type | — | AA | — | Battery pack | NP-BX1 | NB-13L |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers acknowledge the ZS99's impressive 30x Leica zoom and ultra-compact form factor, noting that the hybrid stabilization and 4K capabilities make it a strong travel companion. However, they consistently criticize the small 1/2.3-inch sensor for limiting low-light quality and question the lack of substantial innovation beyond trend-driven features, labeling it a mixed-bag for serious photographers.
Everyday owners love the camera's portability, long zoom reach, and convenient wireless connectivity, often highlighting the tilting screen for creative shooting. Recurring themes of dissatisfaction focus on low-light performance, inconsistent battery endurance, and the loss of detail when using the high digital zoom.
“jack-of-all-trades travel option”
Select the Canon SX740 HS when maximum zoom is essential; select the ZS99 for Leica-branded optics, hybrid stabilization, and a more compact form factor.
Professional reviewers consider the AZ405 a solid entry-level superzoom, lauding its 40x reach and effective stabilization while criticizing the small sensor, lack of EVF, and limited video specs. They view it as a convenient, hassle-free option for non-experts who value zoom over image-quality extremes.
Everyday users love the camera's massive zoom, AA battery convenience, and easy auto modes, especially for travel and macro work. Common frustrations revolve around low-light noise, lag at full zoom, cheap build quality, and limited battery endurance.
Professional reviewers and Canon editors commend the SX740 HS for its portable super-zoom capability, 4K video, DIGIC 8 sharpness and effective optical stabilization, positioning it as a strong travel companion. However, they criticize its small sensor, poor low-light performance and missing advanced video features such as slow-motion, making it less appealing for serious videography or night shooting.
Everyday users consistently praise the extreme zoom, tilt screen for selfies/vlogging, and easy wireless sharing, noting solid daytime image and video quality. Recurring complaints focus on grainy low-light photos, lack of slow-motion and panorama modes, and occasional zoom spring-back that requires readjustment.
Professional reviewers praise the FZ80D for its upgraded high-resolution EVF, 4K video and Photo features, and fast 10 fps burst with DFD autofocus, positioning it as a capable all-in-one superzoom for beginners. However, they note the small sensor hampers low-light performance and the lack of weather sealing, GPS, and mic input limits its appeal for more demanding or professional use.
Everyday users appreciate the extreme 60x zoom and 4K video in a compact point-and-shoot package, highlighting its convenience for travel, wildlife, and family video. Common complaints revolve around noisy high-ISO images, the fixed rear screen, and the absence of rugged features like weather sealing.
Professional reviewers commend the WX300 for its impressive 20× zoom, fast 10 fps burst, and effective Optical SteadyShot with 2-way Active Mode, noting that it delivers high-resolution, low-noise images and smooth video despite its compact size. However, they also caution that the small 1/2.3-inch sensor can produce noticeable noise at higher ISOs, the fixed LCD limits compositional flexibility, and the lack of GPS and advanced audio features may disappoint more demanding users.
While direct consumer reviews are not provided, the available commentary suggests everyday users appreciate the camera's portability, powerful zoom range, and wireless sharing capabilities. Common concerns inferred from the data include the sensor's low-light limitations and the fixed screen, which are typical pain points for compact-camera owners.
Professional reviewers praise the SX740 HS for its ultra-compact design, impressive 40x zoom range, effective 5-axis stabilization, and 4K video capabilities, noting it as a strong travel companion. However, they caution that the small sensor and lack of an electronic viewfinder limit low-light performance and precise framing at full telephoto.
Everyday users consistently highlight the camera's portability, massive zoom, flip-up screen and easy wireless sharing as major strengths, while repeatedly mentioning noisy low-light images, the absence of a viewfinder or touchscreen, and slow USB transfer as pain points.
