Canon PowerShot SX60 HS Review

The enormous 65X optical zoom lens of the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS is comparable to a focal length range of 21-1365mm (naturally, it has image stabilization). Continuous shooting at 6.4 frames per second, 1080/60p video recording, and a maximum ISO setting of 3200 are all made possible because of its 16.1 CMOS sensor and Canon’s most recent DIGIC 6 image processor (at full resolution).

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Has Been Replaced. It also includes an electronic viewfinder and its fully articulating 3″ LCD screen. For photographers to “back out” and find their subject before zooming back in, the Zoom Framing Assist tool is quite helpful.

• Product
• Features
• Photos

Canon Powershot SX60 16.1MP Digital Camera 65x Optical Zoom Lens 3-inch LCD...

• Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC allows wireless transferring of images and video
• 16.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch high-sensitivity CMOS sensor combined with DIGIC 6 image processor (Canon HS SYSTEM)
• 65x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom and 260x combined zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer

Last update was on: May 28, 2023 5:52 pm

$689.00

More Info

• Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC allows wireless transferring of images and video
• 16.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch high-sensitivity CMOS sensor combined with DIGIC 6 image processor (Canon HS SYSTEM)
• 65x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom and 260x combined zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer
• Bright 3-inch vari-angle LCD plus an electronic viewfinder | Capture stunning 1080p HD video in MP4 format with a dedicated movie button and zoom while shooting.

See: Best Memory Cards for Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

This function enables the user to lock onto the subject’s face, upper body, or complete body and then automatically shift the lens back (in wide-angle direction) as the issue travels closer or further away from the Camera. In addition, built-in wifi and the ability to share photos through Canon’s Image Gateway service are standard features on the most recent PowerShot models.

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS Features

The resolution of the SX60 HS has been increased by 4 megapixels, bringing it up to 16 megapixels. Additionally, the Camera’s 1/2.3-inch backside-illuminated CMOS sensor has been combined with a more recent Digic 6 image processor, enhancing low-light performance. JPEG, raw, or a combination of both formats can capture photographs (its 12-bit CR2 basic format is supported by Adobe Camera Raw 8.7).

The quality of the videos that may be seen has been improved. You can shoot automatically or manually control the exposure, and an external stereo mic connection is available as an accessory for the Camera. The maximum resolution that the Camera is capable of capturing is 1080p at 60 frames per second.

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS Display

The resolution of the variable-angle display is 922K dots, and it has a greater screen size of 3 inches. The same excellent solution may also be seen in the electronic viewfinder (but remains the same relatively small size).

A hot shoe may be found on top of the viewfinder, compatible with Speedlites from the Canon EX series. Regarding add-ons, the front of the lens has a threaded mount for 67mm filters and a connection for connecting a wired remote release (model RS-60E3).

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS Controls

Focus mode, continuous shooting options, focus mode (macro, regular, and manual), and display controls are all located on a directional pad on the back of the Camera. Separate buttons easily accessible with your thumb are located for exposure compensation and focus area on the back of the Camera. In the middle of the pad is a button labeled Function/Set that provides quick access to additional critical settings. Canon gives you the freedom to select whatever you want from that menu.

You may switch between the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and the 3-inch rotatable LCD used for framing photographs by pressing the Display button. However, the EVF is much smaller than the LCD. That would be OK if you didn’t have to go through a bunch of different display settings every time you wanted to switch between the two options:

Low-info LCD, detailed LCD, low-info EVF, and clear EVF are available. The situation worsens because specific shooting modes allow users to access additional features by pressing the Display button. If you are using one of these modes and wish to switch from the LCD or EVF, you must first exit the shooting mode in which you are now working.

Flipping the screen so it is facing away from you will automatically activate the EVF, and converting the screen so it is facing toward you will automatically start the LCD. Of course, both of these actions may be performed simultaneously. Regardless, it is ultimately a very frustrating design choice. Canon should have placed an LCD/EVF button next to the EVF like every other manufacturer and a proximity sensor that triggers the switch when you bring the EVF to your eye. Both of these options would have been preferable.

A menu button, a one-touch video record button, and Canon’s Mobile Device Connect button round out the controls on the Camera’s back panel. The Mobile Device Connect button allows you to select a computer or smartphone in advance and then connect the Camera to it with a button.

If you press it, it will switch on the Camera’s wifi, at which time you must enter the wifi settings on your mobile device and choose the Camera as the connection type. The procedure is finished when the Camera Connect app (available for iOS and Android devices) is opened.

You may use wifi to transfer photographs and movies straight to mobile devices for viewing, editing, and uploading. Additionally, you can use wifi to sync the GPS on your mobile device to geotag your photos, which is convenient given that this Camera does not have a GPS that is built in. You can also wirelessly send photographs directly to a photo printer or back them up on a computer linked to the same network as the Camera.

Last, the application may function as a remote viewfinder and a shutter release. It only has a zoom, self-timer, shutter release, and flash (provided you have the pop-up flash attached), but it helps take pictures of wildlife and large groups of people. However, it cannot be used to begin or terminate the playback of a video.

Although Canon included NFC in the SX60 HS to be used with Android devices, very few people take advantage of it. If you haven’t already downloaded the Camera Connect app, you may open the Google Play store on your smartphone by tapping it toward the Camera. This will allow you to get the software and install it on your device. After then, it can only be used to start the application. You will still need to activate the wifi on the Camera and connect your device to it by choosing the Camera from the available wireless networks on your smartphone.

Other Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung cameras, including NFC, will automatically start the app and manage the connection procedure. This will make shooting and sharing photos and videos far simpler. They also use NFC to easily transmit individual photographs to your phone by tapping the Camera and the device together.

Using wifi will, as you probably have guessed, significantly decrease the time your battery will last. When taking stock photos, the battery life is excellent and online compared to the other models in its class. However, utilizing wifi, taking a lot of videos or bursts of photographs, turning the screen brightness up, and regularly zooming in and out will reduce the battery life.

When you head toward the lens barrel, you’ll discover the Zoom Framing Assist and Framing Assist Lock buttons included with your Canon camera. The first enables you to draw the lens back, which helps you reposition a subject that may have moved out of the frame and then zooms back in when the button is pressed.

Composition presets are available for the entire body, the upper body, or the face on the SX60. When you pick one, the Camera automatically adjusts the zoom to maintain the desired composition. This technique may be effective if your subject isn’t moving quickly or near you.

The Framing Assist Lock button will increase the optical image stabilization operation when composing images with the lens zoomed in. Unfortunately, because the Camera’s image stabilization is so superb in general, it was difficult for me to determine whether or not it was functioning correctly, a feature that should be praised.

Regarding the shooting choices, there is a great deal of them; thus, I strongly advise obtaining the camera handbook and going over it thoroughly. Suppose you want to give this Camera to your family. In that case, there will be options for everyone who uses it, from those who prefer the Camera’s Smart Auto setting to those who want complete manual control over every aspect of the photograph.

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS Performance

Although I didn’t see a significant change in performance, the SX60 HS did seem to have faster-focusing rates when I used it at the telephoto end in intense illumination with high-contrast scenes. Canon manufactured the Camera. However, like most cameras in the category, it can be slow when the lighting is poor or the subject has low contrast. Again, this is typical for cameras with such long lenses, and the Canon isn’t nearly as hard to use as the Nikon P600 can be.

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS Image Quality

My standard caveat, which I provide in almost all of my reviews of bridge cameras, is: Don’t anticipate digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) photo quality just because this Camera appears like a DSLR. Camera manufacturers must utilize sensors that are a fraction of the size of those found in digital single-lens reflex cameras and even higher-end compact cameras to fit a lens with this zoom range into a body that is both tiny and lightweight.

Will the photographs taken with the SX60 HS look fine even when printed in larger sizes or shown in smaller sizes on the screen? Absolutely. However, if you pixel peep or magnify the shot to have a closer look at the minute features of a bird you photographed from a great distance, you will most likely be underwhelmed by what you see.

When considering the lens length on this Camera, most people will be delighted with the images it produces up to ISO 400 when seen at bigger sizes on screen and in printouts. But, of course, subjects get softer and noisier at ISO 400 and even more so at ISO 800; the images may still be used at tiny sizes with just some cropping or enlargement.

Thanks to Canon’s raw image capture into this model, you can edit the photographs if you wish. So you can salvage some lost detail if you don’t mind a bit more noise. Another advantage is that the ISO sensitivity may be adjusted in one-third steps, such as ISO 250, ISO 320, ISO 400, and so on. These increments give you a little bit more control over the situation.

At ISO 1600 and 3200, the colors lose part of their saturation, the subjects appear soft, and there is a detailed reduction. If you intend to use this Camera for shooting indoors or in low light, you will want to be wary of using sensitivities higher than ISO 800. The SX60 HS is generally best suited for use outside in broad daylight. If you plan to use this Camera for shooting outdoors, however, you should be fine using lower sensitivities.

The color reproduction is accurate, and the images are vibrant and brilliant. However, the colors become less saturated if the ISO setting is increased. As a result, the exposure is pretty excellent overall. However, the highlights frequently become overexposed. To assist with this matter, Canon developed an option called Dynamic Range Correction that reduces the intensity of the highlights by around 200 or 400 percent.

Using the function results in a somewhat more restricted ISO range, namely ISO 200-1600 for the 200 percent setting and ISO 400-1600 for the 400 percent setting. However, it operates well and potentially saves a significant amount of detail that would otherwise be lost.

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS Video Quality

The video quality is typically excellent and is acceptable even on a large HDTV; nevertheless, it is optimal for use on smaller screens and for sharing on the web.

Even though rotating the Camera will cause judder and there is apparent trailing on moving things, the 1080p video may be seen even if it records at 30 or 60 frames per second.

The graininess of the low-light video is to be expected, but it performs at least as well as the high-ISO photography capabilities of this Camera.

The zoom lens continues to function even when the recording is being done; however, it travels very slowly, which is expected to prevent the movement from being picked up by the stereo mics on top, and new motors keep it very quiet.

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS Specifications

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS Conclusion

• Product
• Features
• Photos

Canon Powershot SX60 16.1MP Digital Camera 65x Optical Zoom Lens 3-inch LCD...

• Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC allows wireless transferring of images and video
• 16.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch high-sensitivity CMOS sensor combined with DIGIC 6 image processor (Canon HS SYSTEM)
• 65x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom and 260x combined zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer

Last update was on: May 28, 2023 5:52 pm

$689.00

More Info

• Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC allows wireless transferring of images and video
• 16.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch high-sensitivity CMOS sensor combined with DIGIC 6 image processor (Canon HS SYSTEM)
• 65x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom and 260x combined zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer
• Bright 3-inch vari-angle LCD plus an electronic viewfinder | Capture stunning 1080p HD video in MP4 format with a dedicated movie button and zoom while shooting.

The Canon PowerShot SX60 HS is one of the best bridge cameras. This is due to several factors, including its excellent still images and high-quality video for its price range and extensive and long lens.

In addition, the Camera’s design has been improved, and it now has several significant and valuable features for novice and advanced users.

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS Pros & Cons