Canon PowerShot SX220 HS Review

In addition to the megapixel race that has dominated the conversation around digital photography throughout the past few years, manufacturers have also been competing in the lens arena.

Once upon a time, Ricoh and Panasonic were the only companies that offered highly regarded superzoom compacts as part of their product lines. Nowadays, however, nearly every manufacturer offers a small-format, high-zoom alternative. In addition, they typically sweeten the deal by including HD video, GPS functionality, and manual control options.

Canon’s response has been to release its PowerShot SX series of cameras. These cameras started as an extension of Canon’s already-existing budget PowerShot models. Eventually, they shifted their focus to target a more discerning audience with bridge-camera models that featured larger zooms and impressive feature sets.

Since then, the lineup has been expanded to include a more budget-friendly option that falls between the two, and the Canon SX220 HS is one of two new members to join the family (the other being the SX230 HS, which is identical in specification to the SX220 HS save for the addition of GPS functionality).

In addition to having a 14x optical zoom that has a good range of 28-392mm and image stabilization courtesy of Canon’s Optical IS system, the SX 220HS is also one of the most recent compacts to offer Canon’s High Sensitivity technology, making it one of the most cutting-edge cameras in its class.

This is centered around a 12.1 Megapixel Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, whose backlit architecture shifts the wire from the front of the substrate to the opposite side, where it does not provide an impediment for light to pass through. This, in turn, increases its sensitivity, which, in theory, broadens its tolerance for shooting in lower light when, usually, using a tripod or flash would be necessary to get the desired effect.

Canon also emphasizes the benefit of employing “just” 12 megapixels to make each photosite more extensive. In addition, the company believes that DIGIC 4 processing technology helps users get the most out of the technology when working with still photographs and moving images.

Regarding the latter, capturing in full high definition (1080p) is only feasible at a frame rate of 24 frames per second, while the option to record at 30 frames per second does so at the lesser 720p standard. In addition, stereo sound recording is available owing to a pair of microphones hidden under a grill on the camera’s top plate. Super Slow Motion options are also featured, with a setting of 120 frames per second at the 640×480 VGA resolution and 240 frames per second at 320×240.

Aside from that, the camera has various exposure controls to accommodate users of all skill levels. These controls range from the Smart Auto capability, which is stated to immediately recognize the situation and match it to one of 32 presets, all the way up to a completely manual setting. In addition, the sensitivity may change from 100 to 3200 ISO, and the metering can be switched between evaluative, center-weighted average, and spot patterns.

A 3-inch widescreen LCD can be found on the back of the device. It has an aspect ratio optimized for recording movies in the 16:9 aspect ratio, and all still photographs and films may be recorded to SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory. In addition, as is customary for such a camera, Canon has equipped it with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which, once wholly charged, is reportedly capable of powering about 210 photographs.

Canon PowerShot SX220 HS Build Quality

The SX220HS deviates from the standard practice of designing superzoom cameras to accommodate their vast focal ranges. As a result, these cameras usually provide a good grip and adequate room for the thumb, but the SX220HS does not.

The metal front plate of the camera has a simple design that is complemented by a gray finish around the top plate and sides. Unfortunately, the widescreen LCD on the back of the camera requires a relatively wide body for such a model, leaves very little space for the controls, and does not have a designated area for the thumb to rest.

Because of this, the thumb needs to be positioned between the edge of the LCD and the mode dial; however, considering that images in their default aspect ratio only fill around three-quarters of the display, this task is not very difficult.

However, Canon has gone to the bother of addressing some of the problems that plagued the previous iteration of the SX 210IS to improve upon it. The cumbersome lever on the top plate of the lens used to adjust the zoom has been replaced with a far more comfortable collar that encircles the shutter release button. Additionally, the power control has been moved from its previous position on the slightly concave top plate, which made it equally annoying to operate, to a more suitable place on the rear of the lens. Both of these changes have been made to improve the user experience.

Aside from that, the fundamental design has not been altered; it still features four big buttons on the rear for video recording, playback, menu, and display choices, as well as a small, freely-rotating menu pad dial around a central Func button that is used for the bulk of the picture settings.

Once you get the hang of the menu system, changing options becomes second nature. For example, you may use the menu-pad dial to go between a succession of photos, videos, or menu selections with lightning speed.

Canon PowerShot SX220 HS Performance

The camera activation takes less than a second; as before, it simultaneously activates the pop-up flash. Unfortunately, it does not appear that there is a method to turn this feature off, and if you happen to have your finger in the way – which is quite likely considering the location of the flash – the light will be directed into your finger. It is an annoyance that it maintains its upright position even after the moment has been turned off.

The zoom moves across its focus range at a consistent clip and with only a slight amount of background noise while it does so. At the telephoto end of the optic, there is a tiny reduction in the speed at which the camera can focus. However, taking into account the typically quick focusing speed of the camera, even here, it is still relatively rapid.

The LCD also has an entirely good viewing angle and functions adequately in brighter environments until the illumination becomes especially harsh. However, those less inclined to capture video may find the camera’s wide aspect ratio frustrating because it can only be used to its maximum capacity when recording in the 16:9 aspect ratio, which results in a resolution drop to 9MP.

Given the constraints of smaller sensors, this does imply that although shadows show incredible detail, highlights often lose theirs, particularly in high-contrast circumstances. However, most of the time, the camera’s metering algorithm does a fine job of producing print-ready exposures.

Scenes are rendered reasonably accurate when the default My Colors option is combined with the auto white balance system. Scenes rendered with this combination do not appear either too lifeless or too vibrant, with only a slight shift toward either warmth or coldness, depending on the scene’s content.

Detail is present throughout the images, which is more than respectable; however, it is difficult to sharpen images to squeeze out any more without pointing out the fine grain of noise, which is present at all sensitivities but controlled at the lowest few. Again, this makes it difficult to sharpen the images.

There is practically no chroma noise at the highest sensitivities, but the processing that ensures this is the case also means that such images captured at night have very little detail. The amount of noise increases steadily as the sensitivity range increases, and there is practically no chroma noise at the highest sensitivities. Because of this, it also becomes difficult to regulate the details in the image’s highlights without needing to underexpose the picture.

There is barrel distortion at the wide end of the camera’s optic. At the telephoto extreme, the camera tends to require the maximum aperture of f/5.9, which results in a little vignetting at the corners of the frame. Additionally, barrel distortion is at the wide end of the camera’s optic. This is most obvious when photographing flat regions with minimal detail (such as the sky). Yet, photographing things in greater detail is not nearly as significant of an issue.

Unfortunately, chromatic aberrations like as purple fringing are visible across the whole range of the lens. These aberrations are most noticeable at the telephoto end of the zoom range and anytime shooting contrasty scenes. Those who wish to use photographs at their full size should bear this in mind and look into proper processing methods, as their visibility borders on being disagreeable. If you want to utilize images at their full size, click here.

Finally, the camera’s video mode records crisp and detailed movies. The sound is clear, there is very little ambient noise (although the sound is still a bit tinny), and there is only a very little whirring coming from the lens if the zoom is employed while the recording is taking place.

If there is a quick shift in the picture, the camera does not fluidly adjust the exposure. Instead, it works in more incremental stages. However, this should only be an issue in exceptional situations, such as when panning a scene.

Canon PowerShot SX220 HS Image Quality

The Canon PowerShot SX220 HS is capable of producing photographs of exceptionally high quality. At ISO 100, 200, and 400, it captured photos with no noise; however, at ISO 800, it captured images with considerable noise and a minor loss of color saturation. While ISO 1600 exhibits more noticeable noise and a loss of color, the setting is still completely acceptable. Even the highest possible ISO 3200 does not suffer too severely from the effect.

Chromatic aberrations were handled competently by the Canon PowerShot SX220 HS, with modest purple fringing effects occurring only in high contrast circumstances and typically at the frame’s borders. The built-in flash did a fantastic indoor job, producing images free of red-eye and with enough overall exposure. The night snapshot turned out wonderfully, and the maximum shutter speed of 15 seconds was more than adequate for most shots taken after dark.

When shooting in low-light settings with the camera held by hand or utilizing the telephoto end of the zoom range, anti-shake performs well. The macro performance is relatively strong, letting you focus on the topic from a distance as near as 5 centimeters. When the default sharpening level was used, the photographs were soft right out of the Canon PowerShot SX220 HS. For the best results, you should do further sharpening in an application such as Adobe Photoshop; alternatively, you may modify the setting directly inside the camera.

Canon PowerShot SX220 HS Specifications

Body type	Compact
Max resolution	4000 x 3000
Other resolutions	4000 x 3000, 4000 x 2248, 4000 x 2664, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 1600 x 1064, 1200 x 1200, 640 x 480, 640 x 424, 640 x 360, 480 x 480
Image ratio w h	1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	12 megapixels
Sensor size	1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
Sensor type	BSI-CMOS
Processor	DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology
ISO	Auto 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
White balance presets	6
Custom white balance	Yes
Image stabilization	Optical
Uncompressed format	No
JPEG quality levels	Fine, Normal
Focal length (Equiv.)	28–392 mm
Optical zoom	14×
Maximum aperture	F3.1–5.9
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View.
Digital zoom	Yes (4x)
Manual focus	Yes
Macro focus range	5 cm (1.97″)
Number of focus points	9
Articulated LCD	Fixed
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	461,000
Touch screen	No
Screen type	PureColor II TG TFT LCD
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	None
Minimum shutter speed	15 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/3200 sec
Aperture priority	Yes
Shutter priority	Yes
Manual exposure mode	Yes
Subject/scene modes	Yes
Built-in flash	Yes
Flash Range	3.50 m
External flash	No
Flash modes	Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Continuous drive	3.2 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Metering modes	MultiCenter-weighted spot
Exposure compensation	±2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	No
Resolutions	1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30,120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps)
Format	H.264
Microphone	Stereo
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/ MMCplus/HC MMCplus
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (Mini Connector)
Remote control	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	Lithium-Ion NB-5L rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	210
Dimensions	106 x 59 x 33 mm (4.17 x 2.32 x 1.3″)
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	No
GPS	None

Canon PowerShot SX220 HS FAQs