Canon PowerShot SX730 HS

 

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September 2021 to present.

















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External Dimensions
10.5 x 6.2 x 15.5 cm
Internal Dimensions
8.5 x 3.5 x 14 cm





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Manufacturers Description:

Capture superb images on the go using this pocket-sized, connected travel zoom camera with a big 40x zoom and versatile creative control.

Canon’s PowerShot SX730 HS is their flagship pocket super-zoom camera.

The PowerShot SX730 HS, equipped with a 24–960 mm (35 mm film equivalent) 40x optical zoom lens and weighing just approximately 300 g, this camera meets the needs of users in such diverse scenes as vacationing, amateur photography, events and business.
Through ZoomPlus digital zoom technology, zoom can be digitally extended up to 80x while maintaining high imaging performance during telephoto shooting up to 1920 mm (35 mm film equivalent).
The PowerShot SX730 HS is also equipped with a 180° tilting LCD screen that facilitates easy self-portrait photography by enabling users to adjust such settings as brightness and confirm image composition and facial expressions while in self-portrait mode.
What’s more, the camera features a Smooth Skin Mode that can be applied to subjects in self-portrait mode and various other shooting scenes.
Combining a high-sensitivity approximately 20.3 million effective pixel CMOS image sensor and Canon’s high-performance DIGIC 6 processor, the SX730 HS achieves exceptionally clear imaging results with reduced blur and noise even when shooting in low-light conditions.
In addition, the DIGIC 6 processor excels at video recording, enabling easy full-HD video recording at 59.94 frames per second.

A versatile and compact point-and-shoot, the black PowerShot SX730 HS from Canon combines a wide-reaching zoom with apt multimedia recording capabilities.
Employing a 20.3MP 1/2.3" High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6 image processor, smooth image quality is afforded along with enhanced low-light sensitivity and minimal noise when working with sensitivities up to ISO 3200.
The sensor and processor also enable shooting continuously at a rate of 5.9 fps as well as recording Full HD 1080p/60 video.
Benefitting the imaging capabilities is a 40x zoom lens, which covers a 24-960mm equivalent focal length range, to suit photographing in a wide variety of situations. Intelligent IS complements this reach by minimizing the appearance of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting.
Sleek and pocketable, the SX730 HS is also characterized by its 3.0" 922k-dot tilting LCD monitor, which is perfect for shooting from low angles or taking well-composed selfies, and built-in Wi-Fi with NFC and Bluetooth connectivity allow you to wirelessly share imagery and remotely control the camera from a paired smartphone or tablet.

20.3MP CMOS Sensor and DIGIC 6 Image Processor
A 20.3MP 1/2.3" High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor pairs with the DIGIC 6 image processor to realize notable image quality and speed to permit stills shooting at up to 5.9 fps and Full HD 1080p video recording at 60 fps.
Together, the sensor and processor also produce clean image quality and enhanced sensitivity to ISO 3200 with minimal noise for working in difficult lighting conditions. The processor also enhances focusing speeds and subject tracking capabilities, as well as avails 5-axis Dynamic IS to compensate for camera movement for smoother video quality.
40x Zoom Lens and Intelligent Image Stabilization
An expansive 40x optical zoom lens offers a wide-angle to super telephoto equivalent focal length range of 24-960mm to suit working with a wide variety of subjects.
This extensive reach is complemented by a versatile Intelligent IS image stabilization system that minimizes the appearance of camera shake for both stills and video shooting:

Stills:
Normal IS corrects for a wide range of common camera movements.
Panning IS detects deliberate panning movements and does not compensate for lateral movements to permit desired camera movements.
Macro (Hybrid) IS corrects for shift-type camera shake that commonly occurs when working with close-up subject matter.
Tripod is a dedicated setting that automatically deactivates IS when the use of a tripod is detected since camera-based stabilization is not needed.

Video:
Dynamic IS is well-suited to recording at wide-angle focal lengths and reduces unwanted shaking that typically occurs when walking while recording.
Powered IS compensates for hand movements that become more visually discernible when working at the telephoto end of the zoom range.
Macro (Hybrid) IS minimizes the appearance of shake when walking as well as compensates for shift-type shake that occurs when working with close-up subject matter.
Active Tripod IS minimizes the slight amount of shake that can happen when recording video while using a tripod.
Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC and Bluetooth
Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC allows you to wirelessly share your photos and movies with a linked smartphone or tablet as well as remotely control the camera from the mobile device by using the Camera Connect app.
Mobile devices can also connect to the camera using Bluetooth for remotely adjusting settings and gaining a live view image from your smartphone or tablet.
Bluetooth connectivity also allows you to use your smartphone's location data to geotag your photos, and the date can also be stamped on your imagery for easy reference.

Other Camera Features
A large 3.0" 922k-dot LCD monitor is available for composing imagery, navigating the menu, and reviewing photos and videos, and the screen can be tilted upward 180° to suit working from low and front-facing angles.
Zoom Framing Assist automatically zooms in or out to keep a subject within the frame and in focus when using longer focal lengths.
MF Peaking is available for a clearer, more objective means to attain sharp focus when manually focusing.
Self Portrait Mode encompasses a range of tools for capturing the perfect selfie, including skin tone smoothing, background blurring, brightness adjustment, and a customizable self-timer.
This mode can be accessed through the menu or can be automatically activated when the screen is tilted a full 180°.
Creative Shot mode utilizes various compositional, color, and lighting elements from an original image in order to produce a new, unique image with artistic flair.
Story Highlights can automatically produce a highlight reel, comprised of videos and photos from a day or an event, and then add music and effects for playback.

Series History:
SX200 series (2009-2013, advanced pocketable superzooms)
SX700 series (2014-2018, successor to the SX200-series)
SX700 HS - 2014    - 16.0 MP 1/2.3" CMOS - 30x zoom - 1080p 60fps - 3" Fixed LCD   - DIGIC 6
SX710 HS - 2015    - 20.3 MP 1/2.3" CMOS - 30x zoom - 1080p 60fps - 3" Fixed LCD   - DIGIC 6
SX720 HS - 2016    - 20.3 MP 1/2.3" CMOS - 40x zoom - 1080p 60fps - 3" Fixed LCD   - DIGIC 6
SX730 HS - 2017    - 20.3 MP 1/2.3" CMOS - 40x zoom - 1080p 60fps - 3" Tilting LCD - DIGIC 6
SX740 HS  -2018    - 20.3 MP 1/2.3" CMOS - 40x zoom - 4K 30fps -    3" Tilting LCD - DIGIC 8
CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kit

I wanted RAW capabilities, as well as a Higher Bitrate for video. I installed the CKDH (Canon Hack Development Kit) Firmware vesion 'CHDK ver 1.5.1 rev 6015' (sx730hs-100e-1.5.1-6015-full.zip) to enable these feature.

There are hundreds of features unlocked by the Development kit, but I am only interested in RAW and Video Bitrate.

Features
Professional control - RAW files, bracketing, full manual control over exposure, zebra mode, live histogram, grids, etc.
Motion detection - Trigger exposure in response to motion, fast enough to catch lightning.
USB remote - Simple DIY remote allows you to control your camera remotely.
Scripting - Control CHDK and camera features using uBASIC and Lua scripts. Enables time lapse, motion detection, advanced bracketing, and more.

RAW : The CHDK shoots RAW files in the .dng format, it also creates a .jpeg file in the same folder. I am able to get a fair bit more detail out of the .dng, using ACR (Adobe Camera RAW) and fixing any noise/sharpening using Topaz DeNoise AI.
Higher Bitrate for video : Unfortunately the Video controls (movie_rec task) is not implemneted in builds for the sx730hs as of 21 Aug 2021. The standard DryOS video settings are used.

What is CHDK?
Canon Hack Development Kit
Temporary – No permanent changes are made to the camera.
Experimental - No warranty. Read about the risks in the FAQ
Free – Free to use and modify, released under the GPL.

Canon PowerShot SX730 HS Firmware:
- Shipped with version : "Firmware Ver GM1.00E" (100e)
- Loaded CKDH (Canon Hack Development Kit) Firmware version : 'CHDK ver 1.5.1 rev 6015'

Canon PowerShot SX730 HS Year of  introduction : May 2017

Body type
Body type Ultra Compact Point and Shoot
Sensor
Max resolution 5184 x 3888
Image ratio w:h 4:3
Effective pixels 20.3 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 21.1 megapixels
Sensor size 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) with no Anti-Alias Filter
Sensor type Back-Lit CMOS (B.S.I), no Anti-Alias Filter
Processor Digic 6 Image processor, DryOS operating System
Power On to first shot
 0.2 sec
Image
ISO Auto, 80 - 3200
White balance presets 12
Custom white balance Yes (5)
Image stabilization Optical Image Stabilizer
Uncompressed format No RAW. RAW only available by using CHDK Firmware
JPEG quality levels SuperFine, Fine
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
  • AF Assist: Yes (green lamp)
Digital zoom Yes (4x)
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 9
Lens mount Fixed Zoom Lens
Focal length multiplier 7.27×
Lens 4.3-172 mm f/3.3-f6.9 (24 - 960 mm equiv. FOV) 40x optical zoom
Focus range
 5cm to infinity (Normal), 1 - 50cm (Macro)
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Tilting Up and facing forward by 180 degrees
Screen size 3.0"
Screen dots 922,000
Touch screen No
Screen type TFT LCD colour touchscreen monitor
Live view Yes (With contrast-detect AF, face detection and subject tracking)
Viewfinder type None, LCD Display only
Viewfinder coverage N/A
Viewfinder magnification N/A
Photography features
Shutter Type Mechanical Shutter
Shutter speed 1/3200 - 15sec
Aperture priority Yes
Shutter priority Yes
Manual exposure mode Yes
Subject / scene modes Yes
Built-in flash Yes (Pop-up), Guide no. 4 meters @ ISO100
Flash range 50.0cm - 4.0m (Wide), 2.0m - 2.0m (Telephoto Zoom)
External flash No
Flash modes Auto, On, Slow Synchro (Fires to illuminate the main subject (such as people) while shooting at aslower shutter speed to illuminate backgrounds out of flash range), Off
Flash Sync Speed N/A
Continuous drive Yes (5.9 fps)
Self-timer Yes (2, 10 or custom sec)
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
  • Highlight-weighted
Exposure compensation ±2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Format
  • MPEG-4
  • H.264

Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Resolutions 1920 x 1080 @ 60p @ 35 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
1920 x 1080 @ 30p @ 24 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
1280 x 720   @ 30p @ 24 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC

Video Formats : MP4 (Video: H.264, Audio: AAC)
Microphone Jack
 No
Headphone Jack
 No
Videography notes Supports MP4 packages

MF Peaking
Storage
Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage used Lexar Professional 633x SDHC UHS-I 32Gb
Connectivity
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) (Micro USB)
HDMI Yes (Micro HDMI, Type D)
Wireless Built-In Wi-Fi 802.11b,g,n (2.4Ghz) with low energy Bluetooth 4.1, NFC (Forum Type 3/4 Tag compliant (Dynamic))
Remote control Smartphone (Canon Camera Connect Application) only.
Physical
Environmentally sealed No
Battery Battery Pack NB-13L
Battery description 1250mAh, 3.6V, Lithium-Ion NB-13L rechargeable battery & CB-2LHE charger. Battery can also be charged in camera using USB Mico-B cable and cellphone charger.
Weight (inc. batteries) 300 g (10.6 oz)
Dimensions 110.1 x 63.8 x 39.9 mm (4.3 x 2.5 x 1.6 inch)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording Yes (4k output)
GPS No, only via connected Phone App only (Using Phones GPS)
Sensor Cleaning Not Specified




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