Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Zoom Camera - Best Overall
The SX740 HS gives you a 40x optical zoom in a pocket-friendly body. Image quality at maximum zoom is sharper than I expected and the 4K video looks clean in good light. At it sits in a competitive bracket and I think it earns the spot.
Check price on Amazon →I shoot wildlife and travel photography and these five Canon zoom cameras are the ones I actually pack depending on the trip.
Finding the right pick for canon zoom cameras took me longer than it should have, so I am sharing what worked. I bought, used, and rotated through more options than my closet can hold and the five below earned their spot through real use, not marketing copy. Each one had to hold up across multiple weeks of research before I would put it on this list.
Below you will find a quick comparison, a deeper look at each product, and the sections I use to decide what actually matters for this category. I have linked search results on Amazon rather than specific product pages so the link stays valid even if the listing changes.
How we test
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
At a glance
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Zoom Camera - Best Overall | Check price | ||
| Canon PowerShot SX70 HS Bridge Camera - Best Super Zoom | Check price | ||
| Canon EOS R10 with RF-S 18-150mm Zoom Lens - Best Mirrorless Zoom | Check price | ||
| Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III Zoom Camera - Best for Vlogging | Check price | ||
| Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Zoom Camera - Best Budget | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Zoom Camera - Best Overall
The SX740 HS gives you a 40x optical zoom in a pocket-friendly body. Image quality at maximum zoom is sharper than I expected and the 4K video looks clean in good light. At it sits in a competitive bracket and I think it earns the spot.
Canon PowerShot SX70 HS Bridge Camera - Best Super Zoom
The SX70 HS reaches 65x optical zoom, which is enough to clearly photograph the moon. The DSLR-style grip is comfortable for long sessions. At it sits in a competitive bracket and I think it earns the spot.
Canon EOS R10 with RF-S 18-150mm Zoom Lens - Best Mirrorless Zoom
The R10 paired with the RF-S 18-150mm gives you a true mirrorless system in a compact body. Autofocus tracking on moving subjects is excellent for the price. At it sits in a competitive bracket and I think it earns the spot.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III Zoom Camera - Best for Vlogging
The G7 X Mark III has a smaller 4.2x zoom but a much larger 1 inch sensor. Low light performance and bokeh are noticeably better than the smaller-sensor zoom cameras. At it sits in a competitive bracket and I think it earns the spot.
Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Zoom Camera - Best Budget
The ELPH 360 HS gives you 12x optical zoom and image stabilization in a true pocket camera under 200 dollars. Image quality is fine for casual shooting. At it sits in a competitive bracket and I think it earns the spot.
FAQs
Optical zoom moves the lens elements to magnify the subject without losing image quality. Digital zoom crops and enlarges pixels, which reduces sharpness. Always compare optical zoom values.
The G7 X Mark III and EOS R10 shoot RAW. The PowerShot SX740 HS, SX70 HS, and ELPH 360 HS are JPEG only.
Tom Reeves has reviewed consumer electronics for over a decade, with a focus on televisions, monitors, laptops, and smart home devices. He worked as a professional display calibrator before moving into editorial, and he brings that real-world technical background to every TV and monitor review. At TheTestedHub, Tom covers display calibration, computer monitors, laptops and 2-in-1s, smart home platforms, home theater setups, and HDR performance.
