Canon SX740 vs Nikon D700

The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS and the Nikon D700 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in July 2018 and July 2008. The SX740 is a fixed lens compact, while the D700 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a 1/2.3-inch (SX740) and a full frame (D700) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 12.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon SX740		Nikon D700
Fixed lens compact camera		Digital single lens reflex
24-960mm f/3.3-6.9		Nikon F mount lenses
20.2 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor		12.1 MP, Full Frame Sensor
4K/30p Video		no Video
ISO 100-3,200		ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600)
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 922k dots		3.0 LCD, 922k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
10 shutter flaps per second		8 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
265 shots per battery charge		1000 shots per battery charge
110 x 64 x 40 mm, 299 g		147 x 123 x 77 mm, 1074 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS and the Nikon D700? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon SX740 and the Nikon D700 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The SX740 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the D700 is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D700 is considerably larger (157 percent) than the Canon SX740. It is noteworthy in this context that the D700 is splash and dust-proof, while the SX740 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the SX740 has a lens built in, whereas the D700 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the D700 and their specifications in the Nikon Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the SX740 gets 265 shots out of its NB-13L battery, while the D700 can take 1000 images on a single charge of its EN-EL3e power pack. The power pack in the SX740 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon SX740	4.3 in	2.5 in	1.6 in	10.5 oz	265	n	Jul 2018	399
	Nikon D700	5.8 in	4.8 in	3.0 in	37.9 oz	1000	Y	Jul 2008	2,999
	Canon SX70	5.0 in	3.6 in	4.6 in	21.4 oz	325	n	Sep 2018	549
	Canon SX730	4.3 in	2.5 in	1.6 in	10.6 oz	250	n	Apr 2017	399
	Canon SX720	4.3 in	2.5 in	1.4 in	9.5 oz	250	n	Feb 2016	379
	Canon SX710	4.4 in	2.6 in	1.4 in	9.5 oz	230	n	Jan 2015	349
	Nikon D810	5.7 in	4.8 in	3.2 in	34.6 oz	1200	Y	Jun 2014	3,299
	Nikon Df	5.7 in	4.3 in	2.6 in	26.8 oz	1400	Y	Nov 2013	2,749
	Nikon D800	5.7 in	4.8 in	3.2 in	35.3 oz	900	Y	Feb 2012	2,999
	Nikon D3S	6.3 in	6.2 in	3.5 in	43.7 oz	4200	Y	Oct 2009	5,199
	Nikon D3	6.3 in	6.2 in	3.5 in	45.9 oz	4300	Y	Aug 2007	4,999
	Panasonic ZS80	4.4 in	2.7 in	1.7 in	11.5 oz	380	n	Feb 2019	449
	Panasonic TS7	4.6 in	3.0 in	1.5 in	11.3 oz	300	Y	May 2018	449
	Panasonic ZS70	4.4 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	11.4 oz	380	n	Apr 2017	449
	Sony HX99	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.4 in	8.5 oz	370	n	Aug 2018	449
	Sony HX95	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.4 in	8.5 oz	370	n	Aug 2018	429
	Sony WX800	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.4 in	8.2 oz	370	n	Oct 2018	399
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Metric

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The SX740 was launched at a lower price than the D700, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon SX740 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Nikon D700 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the D700 is 2971 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 1.0. The sensor in the SX740 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the D700 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon SX740 offers a higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 12.1 MP of the Nikon D700. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.18μm versus 8.43μm for the D700). However, it should be noted that the SX740 is much more recent (by 10 years and 1 month) than the D700, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the SX740 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon SX740 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the SX740 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D700 are 21.3 x 14.2 inches or 54.1 x 36 cm for good quality, 17 x 11.3 inches or 43.2 x 28.8 cm for very good quality, and 14.2 x 9.4 inches or 36 x 24 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D700 are ISO 200 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

	Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
	Canon SX740	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Nikon D700	Full Frame	12.1	4256	2832	none	23.5	12.2	2303	80
	Canon SX70	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Canon SX730	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Canon SX720	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Canon SX710	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Nikon D810	Full Frame	36.2	7360	4912	1080/60p	25.7	14.8	2853	97
	Nikon Df	Full Frame	16.2	4928	3280	none	24.6	13.1	3279	89
	Nikon D800	Full Frame	36.2	7360	4912	1080/30p	25.3	14.4	2853	95
	Nikon D3S	Full Frame	12.1	4256	2832	720/24p	23.5	12.0	3253	82
	Nikon D3	Full Frame	12.1	4256	2832	none	23.5	12.2	2290	81
	Panasonic ZS80	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Panasonic TS7	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Panasonic ZS70	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	19.1	10.6	106	36
	Sony HX99	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Sony HX95	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Sony WX800	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	..	..	..	..

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The SX740 indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the D700 does not. The highest resolution format that the SX740 can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the D700 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the SX740 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon SX740, the Nikon D700, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

	Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
	Canon SX740	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/3200s	10.0	Y	Y
	Nikon D700	optical	Y	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0	Y	n
	Canon SX70	2360	n	3.0	922	swivel	n	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
	Canon SX730	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/3200s	5.9	Y	Y
	Canon SX720	none	n	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/3200s	5.9	Y	Y
	Canon SX710	none	n	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/3200s	6.0	Y	Y
	Nikon D810	optical	Y	3.2	1229	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon Df	optical	Y	3.2	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.5	n	n
	Nikon D800	optical	Y	3.2	921	fixed	n	1/8000s	4.0	Y	n
	Nikon D3S	optical	Y	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/8000s	11.0	n	n
	Nikon D3	optical	Y	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/8000s	11.0	n	n
	Panasonic ZS80	2330	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
	Panasonic TS7	1170	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/1300s	10.0	Y	Y
	Panasonic ZS70	1166	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
	Sony HX99	638	n	3.0	922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
	Sony HX95	638	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
	Sony WX800	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y

One feature that is present on the D700, but is missing on the SX740 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The Canon SX740 and the Nikon D700 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The SX740 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the D700 uses Compact Flash cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS and Nikon D700 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

	Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
	Canon SX740	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
	Nikon D700	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon SX70	-	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
	Canon SX730	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
	Canon SX720	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon SX710	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Nikon D810	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	-	-
	Nikon Df	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D800	Y	mono	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D3S	Y	stereo	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D3	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Panasonic ZS80	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
	Panasonic TS7	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Panasonic ZS70	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Sony HX99	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
	Sony HX95	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
	Sony WX800	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the SX740 offers wifi support, while the D700 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D700 (unlike the SX740) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The SX740 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the D700 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D700 was succeeded by the Nikon D800. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Nikon websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Canon SX740 or the Nikon D700 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (20.2 vs 12.1MP) with a 27% higher linear resolution.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 4K/30p movies.
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Ready to shoot: Comes with a built-in lens, while the D700 requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (110x64mm vs 147x123mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the D700).
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Reflects 10 years and 1 month of technical progress since the D700 launch.

Arguments in favor of the Nikon D700:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/3200s) to freeze action.
• More flexible: Makes it possible to change lenses and thus to use specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (1000 versus 265) out of a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in July 2008).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the SX740 comes out slightly ahead of the D700 (15 : 14 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX740 and the Nikon D700 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the SX740 or the D700. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	camera   labs	dp review	ephoto   zine	imaging resource	photography   blog	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon SX740	+	..	4/5	..	4/5	Jul 2018	399
	Nikon D700	89/100	+ +	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2008	2,999
	Canon SX70	+ +	..	3.5/5	..	3.5/5	Sep 2018	549
	Canon SX730	+	..	4/5	..	4/5	Apr 2017	399
	Canon SX720	+	..	4/5	..	4.5/5	Feb 2016	379
	Canon SX710	+	..	4/5	..	3.5/5	Jan 2015	349
	Nikon D810	..	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2014	3,299
	Nikon Df	..	81/100	4/5	4/5	4/5	Nov 2013	2,749
	Nikon D800	+ +	82/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Feb 2012	2,999
	Nikon D3S	..	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Oct 2009	5,199
	Nikon D3	..	+ +	5/5	o	4.5/5	Aug 2007	4,999
	Panasonic ZS80	+ +	..	4.5/5	..	..	Feb 2019	449
	Panasonic TS7	+	..	..	..	3.5/5	May 2018	449
	Panasonic ZS70	+ +	..	4/5	..	4/5	Apr 2017	449
	Sony HX99	..	..	4/5	..	4.5/5	Aug 2018	449
	Sony HX95	..	..	..	..	..	Aug 2018	429
	Sony WX800	..	..	..	..	..	Oct 2018	399
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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Specifications: Canon SX740 vs Nikon D700

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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