Should I buy the Canon SX740 HS or Panasonic ZS80?

For most photographers, the Panasonic LUMIX ZS80 is the better and more versatile choice. It adds useful features the Canon lacks, especially RAW shooting and a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), which can make a real difference if you edit photos or often shoot in bright light. It also has a touchscreen.

That said, both cameras use small 1/2.3-inch sensors, so image quality will be limited in low light no matter which one you pick. If you shoot indoors, at night, or in dim conditions, neither will be a strong low-light camera.

Buy the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS if your top priority is more zoom in a smaller body. The Canon offers 40x optical zoom versus the ZS80’s 30x, and it is a bit more compact.