Sony A55 vs Canon SX740 HS Specifications

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Sony A55 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A55.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
20.3 megapixels
24.00mm - 960.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX740 HS Review.

Detailed specifications
Sony Alpha SLT-A55V
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS

Links
Prices:		Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:		Canon SX730 HS SX730 HS vs SX740 HS
Successor:
General
Model Number:	A55	SX740 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):	SLT-A55 (w/o GPS)
Camera Format:	SLR	Compact
Currently Manufactured:	No	Yes
Retail Price:	$849.99	$399.99
Street Price:	$733.99	$447.40
Date Available:	2010-10-15	2018-08-20
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	25.6 oz (727 g) includes batteries, kit lens	10.5 oz (299 g) includes batteries
Size:	4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in. (124 x 92 x 85 mm)	4.3 x 2.5 x 1.6 in. (110 x 64 x 40 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:	Sony
Effective Megapixels:	16.2	20.3
Sensor Format:	APS-C	1/2.3 inch
Sensor size:	369.72mm² (23.7mm x 15.6mm)	28.0735mm² (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	4.82 microns	1.19 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	1.5x	n/a
Aspect Ratio:	3:2, 16:9	4:3
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Fixed	None
Self-Cleaning:	Yes	No
Sensor shift image stabilization:	Yes	No
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:	73
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):	23.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):	12.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):	818
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2), 4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9), 3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other), 3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9), 2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other), 2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9), 12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other), 8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other), 2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other), 2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other), 7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other), 4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)	5184 x 3888 (20.2 MP, 4:3), 5184 x 3456 (17.9 MP, 3:2), 5184 x 2912 (15.1 MP, 16:9), 3888 x 3888 (15.1 MP, 1:1), 3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3), 3648 x 2432 (8.9 MP, 3:2), 3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9), 2736 x 2736 (7.5 MP, 1:1), 2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3), 2048 x 1368 (2.8 MP, 3:2), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9), 1536 x 1536 (2.4 MP, 1:1), 640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3), 640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other), 640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9), 480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format:	JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG	JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second:	9.0	10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies:	Yes	Yes
Movie Resolution:	1920x1080 (60i/50i) 1440x1080 (30/25) 640x480 (30/25)	3840x2160 (30p/25p) 1920x1080 (60p/50p/30p/25p) 1280x720 (60p/50p)
Movie File Format:	AVCHD, MP4	MP4 (Image data: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio data: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Composite Video Out:	No	No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	n/a	n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder:	n/a	n/a
HD Video Out:	Yes	Yes
HD Video Connection:	HDMI	HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	Sony Alpha (Minolta A)	n/a
Lens:	Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM	Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	27 - 83mm	24 - 960mm
Focal Length (actual):	18 - 55mm	4.3 - 172mm
Zoom Ratio:	3.00x	40.00x
Aperture Range:	f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)	f/3.3 (W) / f/6.9 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:		5 cm to Infinity 2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:		1 - 50 cm 0.4 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread:	55.0mm	n/a
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	No	Yes
Digital Zoom:	No	Yes
Digital Zoom Values:	n/a	Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local.	Contrast Detection; Face Detect AiAF, Single AF point (center or face select and track)
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	EVF / LCD	No / LCD
Viewfinder Type:	EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1,152Kdots, 100% coverage, 1.10x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter
Focus Peaking:	No	No
EVF Resolution:		n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):	0.73x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):	1.10x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	Yes	No
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	3.0	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	921,600 dots	921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	Yes	Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:		No
Selfie Screen:		Yes
Max Playback Zoom:	11.8x	10.0x
Top Deck Display:	No	No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):	12800	3200
Minimum ISO (native):	100	100
ISO Settings:	Auto (100-1600), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800. (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)	Auto (100-1600), ISO 100-3200
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500 – 9900K with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation)	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, White Fluorescent Light, Custom, WB Correction
Shutter Speed Range:	1/4000 - 30 sec	1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	No
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot	Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame), Centre-weighted average, Spot (center)
Program Auto Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Aperture Priority:	Yes	Yes
Shutter Priority:	Yes	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:	Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night view, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D)	Creative Shot, Portrait, Smile, Wink Self-timer, Face Self-timer, Self-Portrait, Smooth Skin, Handheld Night Scene, Food, Sports, Low Light, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Fireworks, Long Shutter, Time-lapse Movie
Self Timer:	2 or 10 seconds	2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	Yes	Yes
Flash Modes:	Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off	Auto, On, Slow Synchro, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	10.0 m / 32.8 ft.	n/a
Flash Range Description:	Lens dependent	Auto ISO: 1.6 - 16.4 ft. (W), 6.6 - 8.2 ft. (T) / (50cm - 5.0m (W), 2.0m - 2.5m (T))
Max Flash Sync:	1/160	1/2000s
Flash Exposure Compensation:	+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	Hot shoe	n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:	Full TTL exposure	No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC	SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:		UHS-I
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	No	No
RAW Capture Support:	Yes	No
Uncompressed Format:	RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:	AVCHD, MP4	MP4 (Image data: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio data: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory:		No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	Yes
NFC:		No
Bluetooth:	No	Yes
Built-In GPS:	Yes	No
Microphone Jack:	Yes	No
Headphone Jack:	No	No
External Connections:	USB 2.0 High Speed	USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant:	Yes	Yes
DPOF Compliant:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control Type:	Optional Wireless or Wired	Via Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
Connections (extended):	Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack	Micro-B USB, Micro (Type-D) HDMI

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	0.52
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):	0.52
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):	28
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):
Camera penalizes early shutter press?	No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	9.0	10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	32
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):	0.22 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):
Shutter Lag (manual focus):	0.214 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):	0.48 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	0.103 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):	Full AF, wide-area mode = 0.218s
Startup Time:	0.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time:	0.6 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:	3.7 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):		265 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):	330 shots
Battery Life, Video:		60 minutes
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary NP-FW50	Proprietary NB-13L
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium-ion rechargeable	Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary NB-13L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:		Yes
Internal Charging Supported:		Yes
Software
Included Software:	Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR)
OS Compatibility:	Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:	SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization, Articulating LCD, 1080i HD Video, Multi-frame NR, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, DOF Preview, 10fps Burst Mode, Built-in GPS. SLT-A55 is identical but without GPS.	Available in black or silver.