Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Review

The Canon PowerShot SX50 HS is a brand-new super-zoom camera with a 50x zoom lens. This gives the camera a focal length range similar to 24-1200mm.

The Canon PowerShot SX50 HS is the successor to the PowerShot SX40 HS and features a 12-megapixel back-illuminated sensor, a DIGIC 5 image processor, a 4.5-stop optical Image Stabilizer with Intelligent IS technology, full manual controls, ISO 80-6400, 12-bit RAW format support, full 1080p HD movie recording with stereo sound and an HDMI port, ten frames per second of burst shooting, a 2.8 inch vari-angle LCD The Canon PowerShot SX50 HS comes in black. It can be purchased for £449 or $479.99, respectively.

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Build Quality

The Canon PowerShot SX50 HS, much like other large zoom bridge cameras, is a hefty beast that is not all that much smaller than the entry-level digital SLR from which it derives its design cues. Of course, this is because it takes its design cues from that camera. However, the primary selling feature is the monster of a 50x optical lens, which boasts a thoroughly and imaginatively broad focal range extending from 24mm to 1200mm.

Such a focal range would ordinarily be prohibitively expensive or impracticable for the ordinary DSLR user. However, what the SX50 HS lacks in image quality compared to a DSLR, it makes up for in terms of adaptability – the photographer can quickly move from wide-angle framing to candid close-ups from a distance – and reasonable value, even though it is not a cheap buy.

When considering the SX50 HS, one must get past the ‘ouch’ factor because the suggested retail price in the UK is $449. Consider that you could acquire an entry-level digital SLR camera for the same amount, but one equipped with a primary 18-55mm lens with only a 3x zoom rather than a 50x zoom. On the other hand, when contrasted with the comparable Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200, which is offered at a recommended price of £439.99 and, to be fair, features a lens with a constant aperture of f/2.8 throughout its 24x zoom range, the Canon appears to be pretty inexpensive, at least on paper.

When shooting handheld toward the maximum telephoto setting, we can achieve anything approaching critical sharpness. In that case, a bulky body and some added weight courtesy of the chunky 315-shot rechargeable lithium-ion battery in the handgrip (total weight of 600g when the SX50 HS is ‘loaded’) makes perfect sense considering the zoom range that is offered here. Moreover, according to the manufacturer, the lens shift kind of image stabilization provides a 4.5-stop advantage.

Both an Ultrasonic Motor and a Voice Coil Motor are included in the SX50 HS, just like they were in its predecessor. These motors work together to provide relatively quick zooming but also smooth and silent. This is especially important when capturing video, so a record button that can be operated with the thumb is included. The lens has a maximum aperture of f/3.4 at 24mm and slows down to f/6.5 when fully extended to 1200mm; this is a touch sluggish, to begin with, but is not terrible when considering the enormous focal range that is available.

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Image Quality

The SuperFine JPEG option at 12 megapixels was used to capture each sample photograph included in this study. This setting results in an image that is around 4 megabytes in size on average.

Throughout our examination, the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS generated photographs of satisfactory quality. Up to ISO 1600, noise is well-controlled; nevertheless, beginning at that setting, artifacts, blurring of detail, and a minor loss of color saturation become visible.

From an ISO setting of 1600 to the fastest setting of 6400, which isn’t very usable, the amount of noise and the loss of detail progressively worsen.

However, if you shoot in the new RAW format, you won’t have access to the Dynamic Range Correction and, more importantly, the HDR settings. Both choices allow you to extract more data from the highlights and shadows.

Chromatic aberrations were managed quite effectively by the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS, with well-controlled but overall effects of purple and green fringing evident in high-contrast conditions. In addition, the default setting produced sufficiently crisp photographs even when the 12-megapixel resolution was used.

Even though there is a lot of lens distortion and shadows at such a short distance, the performance of the camera’s macro mode is a standout highlight, allowing you to focus as close to the subject as 0 centimeters away from the object of your photograph.

The built-in flash did a fantastic job indoors, producing images free of redeye and with enough exposure overall. The nighttime shot turned out quite well, and the maximum shutter speed was 15 seconds meant that you could catch sufficient light for almost any scenario.

Although the 4.5-stop anti-shake system works exceptionally well when hand-holding the camera in low-light circumstances or when utilizing the telephoto end of the enormous zoom range, it is still preferable to use a tripod or other steady support if at all feasible, considering the massive focal length that is on offer.

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Battery capacity

The lithium-ion battery used in the SX50 HS’s predecessor is also used in the SX50 HS. Inside its plastic casing, this battery has a capacity of 6.8 Wh, which is about parred for the course regarding batteries for super zoom cameras. When compared to other mega-zoom cameras, the SX50 has a significantly longer battery life than the following:

Camera	Battery life (CIPA standard)	Battery used
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS	315 shots	NB-10L
Fuji FinePix HS30EXR	600 shots	NP-W126
Nikon Coolpix P510	240 shots	EN-EL5
Olympus SP-820UZ HS	N/A	4 x AA
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200	540 shots	DMW-BLC12
Pentax X-5	500 shots *	4 x AA
Samsung WB100	N/A	4 x AA
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V	450 shots	NP-FH50

You are already aware that the battery life of the SX50 is significantly less than that of its predecessor, the SX40. Compared to the other cameras for which I have data, the battery life of the SX50 falls roughly 30 percentage points below the group average. Consequently, it would be best to consider purchasing an additional battery, around $39, for a Canon-branded NB-10L.

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Specifications

Body type	SLR-like (bridge)
Body material	Composite
Sensor
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, 5:4, 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 5
Color space	sRGB
Color filter array	Primary Color Filter
Image
ISO	Auto, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 640, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3200, 4000, 5000, 6400
White balance presets	7
Custom white balance	Yes (2)
Image stabilization	Optical
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Fine, Normal
Optics & Focus
Focal length (Equiv.)	24–1200 mm
Optical zoom	50×
Maximum aperture	F3.4–6.5
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-area selective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View.
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes
Digital zoom	Yes (4x)
Manual focus	Yes
Macro focus range	0 cm (0″)
Number of focus points	9
Screen/viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Fully articulated
Screen size	2.8″
Screen dots	461,000
Touch screen	No
Live View	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder resolution	202,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	15 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/2000 sec
Exposure modes	Smart AutoProgram AEShutter priority AEAperture priority AEManualCustomSceneCreative FiltersMovie DigestMovie
Scene modes	PortraitSmooth SkinSmart Shutter (Smile, Wink Self-Timer, FaceSelf- Timer)High-speed Burst HQHandheld Night SceneUnderwaterSnowFireworksStitch Assist
Built-in flash	Yes
Flash Range	5.50 m
External flash	Yes (Hot-shoe)
Flash modes	Auto, On, Off, Redeye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain
Drive modes	SingleContinuousContinuous with AFSelf-Timer
Continuous drive	2.2 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Metering modes	MultiCenter-weighted spot
Exposure compensation	±3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	(at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Resolutions	1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Format	H.264
Videography notes	Miniature Effect (HD, L) 6fps, 3fps, 1.5 fps
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (Mini)
Remote control	Yes (RS60E3)
Physical
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	Lithium-Ion NB-10L rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	315
Weight (inc. batteries)	595 g (1.31 lb / 20.99 oz)
Dimensions	123 x 87 x 106 mm (4.84 x 3.43 x 4.17″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	No
GPS	None

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Conclusion

The Canon PowerShot SX50 HS HS is an excellent option if you want to purchase a camera capable of covering a significant amount of ground. If the conditions are right, it can capture virtually any picture since its lens has an equivalent range of 24 to 1200 millimeters.

If you don’t mind taking JPEGs exclusively and preceding exposure control, there is a 12.8fps scene mode that you can use, but other than that, I wouldn’t say it’s a fantastic camera for low light or quick action. Its lens is sluggish, and its continuous shooting isn’t very impressive. If capturing images of subjects in motion is something you enjoy, you should seriously consider purchasing Panasonic’s more expensive Lumix DMC-FZ200 model.

If, on the other hand, you want to be able to record the special moments that occur throughout your travels to other lands, then the SX50 HS is something you should look into.

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS FAQs