This blog post is a paid collaboration with Canon UK (#dreamcollab!) but all words, opinions and awkward jokes are my own. I shoot exclusively Canon and you can find my full list of blogging and travel vlogging gear here.
Travelling long term isn’t without its challenges and, as I know very well, packing is definitely one of them! Although I’ve got my digital nomad packing down to an art, there’s still one thing I struggle with: camera gear.
With all the tech I need for work, my hand luggage weighs a hefty 14kg or so. And yes, that’s always over the limit. But, as a blogger and vlogger, I can’t really do my job without it.
Whatever you want to use them for, there’s a good chance you’ll still want to capture photos – and maybe even video – of your time on the road. And – good news! – you don’t need to give yourself a daily back workout to get them. In fact, you may not even need much at all.
Just to let you know… This post contains affiliate links, including Amazon Associates links. I may receive a small commission from them at no extra cost to you.
Choosing the right camera for long term travel
If you’re travelling long term, your backpack (or suitcase) is probably already pretty heavy. So why add more weight to it? Although having a camera is pretty much essential, it doesn’t need to weigh you down any more.
It used to be that you’d need to invest in a heavy DSLR to get half decent photos to take home with you, but that’s no longer the case. You certainly don’t need a fancy camera to take fancy photos. And with Canon’s new travel-focused PowerShot SX740 HS, you might only need a camera that fits in your pocket.
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is a superzoom compact camera that’s been designed with travel in mind. And since I travel 365 days a year, I know what a long-term traveller needs. To put it to the test, I packed my Canon EOS 5D Mark III away for the day and took the PowerShot SX740 HS out for a day of travel photography in Iceland – here’s what I found.
Introducing the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
When a leading camera company releases a camera that’s specifically designed for travel, you know it’s going to grab my attention. And with just a few days’ use, I can already see why the PowerShot SX740 HS could be the best camera for backpackers and long-term travellers. Here are the best bits:
40x zoom
The main selling point of the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is its super zoom capabilities. With up to 40x optical zoom, it essentially covers a focal length spectrum from 24mm to 960mm. Given that that would fill an entire backpack in DSLR equivalents, it’s an incredible lens. It’s a one size fits all solution for all kinds of travel photography.
40x zoom of the image above, taken just after
It’s small
As a compact camera, the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS isn’t going to take up tons of your precious luggage space. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket but still powerful enough to take all the shots you’ll want.
Its tiny size also makes it great for day trips and travels, too. The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is small enough to pop into your day pack or hiking bag, so you’ll always have a camera handy.
It’s lightweight
When you’re constantly lugging everything you own around, weight is EVERYTHING. One of the best things about the PowerShot SX740 HS is how super light it is. At a tiny 299g, you’ll barely even notice it in your bag!
I also have a Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II, and the PowerShot SX740 HS is WAY lighter. Even though the cameras are pretty similar in most ways, including size, the PowerShot SX740 HS easily wins when it comes to weight.
It’s not expensive
If you’re travelling long-term, things are going to get lost along the way. Even though I’d ALWAYS recommend getting travel insurance, it’s nice to not have the constant stress of losing something that costs the same amount as your trip.
Despite its capabilities, the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is a pocket-sized powerhouse with a budget-friendly price tag. Retailing at £349.99, it won’t ruin your trip if it somehow goes missing. The other upside is that you won’t be scared to take it on your adventures and end up leaving it behind!
TRAVEL TIP: Make sure you have adequate travel insurance (+ exclusive discount!)
Make sure your travel insurance policy covers you for healthcare and cancellations, as well as any activities you plan to do.
As of 2023, I use and recommend Heymondo because they offer greater cover – they cover things that most insurers won’t – and 24/7 assistance no matter where you’re going (or where you’re from!).
They offer options for single trips, long stays and annual coverage, so they’re a great budget-friendly (yet sufficient) option for digital nomads and frequent travellers, too.
Alajode readers can also enjoy an extra 5% discount on all policies – click here to get your savings and get a free, instant quote.
It’s great for video
I’ve already said the PowerShot SX740 HS reminds me of my PowerShot G7X Mark II – the camera I used to vlog with. The PowerShot G7X Mark II was a fantastic vlogging camera and the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is perhaps even better for video. It has all the same features that I loved about the PowerShot G7X Mark II – fantastic image quality, Canon colour profiling and 60fps – but also has the ability to shoot in 4K.
If you’re serious about video, I’d still recommend splashing out a little more for my favourite beginner vlogging camera: the Canon M50. But if you’re planning on starting a YouTube channel or want to record your travels, the PowerShot SX740 HS will happily do the trick.
Uploading is easy
One of my favourite things about my Canon EOS M50 and PowerShot G7X Mark II is how easy it is to upload images from them, and the PowerShot SX740 HS is exactly the same. With the Canon Connect app, you can instantly transfer images from the camera to your phone, meaning you can upload them to Instagram on the go. It’s a feature I didn’t expect to use much but is incredibly useful for on-the-go Instagram stories!
Take your own travel photos
If you’re planning to travel solo at any point, you’ll quickly find it harder to take photos. The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS will come in super handy because it’s well-equipped for solo travel photos. The flip screen tilts a full 180 degrees, so you can see exactly how the image looks. But it’s the continuous self-timer mode that will help you nail the shot, letting you shoot with a 10-second timer until you get a photo you like. Just stand and pose!
What the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS doesn’t have
Like any camera, the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS isn’t without its drawbacks.
The biggest downside for me is the lack of RAW image shooting. Although the PowerShot SX740 HS shoots highly detailed JPEG images, you can only edit them so much. It’s the reason why I think this camera is best suited to backpackers rather than bloggers, who might need to edit in more detail. But if you don’t need that kind of freedom (or even know what RAW is!) the picture quality on the PowerShot SX740 HS will be more than good enough.
The other main drawback for me is the lack of touchscreen. It’s something that I’m used to having on both my Canon EOS M50 and Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II, and I was surprised that this camera didn’t have touch screen. Given the lower price tag, it’s not really surprising – and it’s definitely worth forfeiting for the massive cost saving.
Essentially, Canon have cut out all the non-essentials to create a cost-effective camera that focuses on the things that matter. That is, incredible zoom to cover all travel scenarios and a compact case that you won’t mind carrying around.
Although it might lack the advanced features a photographer would want, it has everything a backpacker or long-term traveller would need to record both photos and video – for a purse-friendly price. And for that reason, it may just be the best camera option for backpackers and other long-term travellers who want a camera that’s up to the job.
CHECK OUT THE CANON POWER SX740 HS HERE
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS sounded perfect for our trip until the last paragraph. I do want/need RAW not just jpeg. I specifically wanted full frame, good quality raw, LIGHT WEIGHT for our 1st Tour vacation in a van with others. Everyone has to fit one small suitcase & 1 small bag for the 12 day tour into the van we will travel in. HELP, please. Anything other suggestions. As I said, it was perfect until no RAW. Taking Photoshop classes & need my photos, when I come back, to be in RAW. I have a Canon 5Ds R & Mark 6D Mark II but both too heavy for this trip.