Canon PowerShot SX70 HS Review

One model that fits this description is Canon’s most recent PowerShot SX70 HS. Its main selling point, a 65x optical zoom lens, is (somewhat unusually) carried over from the model that it updates; however, it is equipped with an impressive array of other technology, ranging from raw capture to 10 frames per second burst shooting and wireless connectivity up to 4K ultra-high-definition video.

Although traditional compact cameras may no longer be popular, their superzoom bridge camera siblings continue to be a competitive option to DSLR and mirrorless camera systems.

To a considerable extent, this is, of course, attributable to the range of their optics. Still, the most recent models have much more to offer than enormous zoom ranges to captivate passionate photographers.

See: Best Memory Cards for Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

It is beautiful to notice that the camera does not become overly front-heavy when the lens is extended, even though it is pretty tiny and lightweight. The camera has a deep grip, which allows you to get a solid grasp of it. On the other hand, the build quality may be improved, and there is no weather sealing.

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Canon Powershot SX70 20.3MP Digital Camera 65x Optical Zoom Lens 4K Video...

Last update was on: March 27, 2024 10:50 pm
$699.95 $730.00

Key Specs

  • The sensor is a 20.3-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS-type device.
  • Lens: 21-1365mm (Equiv.) f/3.4-6.5
  • Screen: 3-inch vari-angle, 922k dots
  • 10 frames per second when shooting in burst mode (5.7fps with C-AF)
  • Autofocus: Contrast-detect AF
  • Video: 4K (30/25p)
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity are included.
  • Life of the battery: 255/325 shots
  • Weight: 610g (including battery and card)

Even while collecting raw data, the focusing mechanism of the camera works promptly, and the shot-to-shot timings are extremely excellent; nonetheless, it is recommended that a fast memory card be used. Even though it is not possible to apply different Styles (color settings) to images when shooting raw files, and post-capture basic processing is also sadly not provided, you have excellent control over your captures thanks to the familiar EOS-style menu system, which gives you superior control over your captures as well.

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS can produce quite beautiful output, which is impressive given the camera’s very modest sensor size. However, although the exposures are generally satisfactory, the camera has a restricted dynamic range, which means that highlight details may be lost in high-contrast settings; thus, it is recommended that the Auto Lighting Optimizer be used.

The image stabilization system does an excellent job of keeping captures at the telephoto extreme relatively sharp, while the wide-angle results and anything captured indoors at moderate ISO settings or higher are noticeably worse. There is good detail in images in the middle part of the focal range, while the system also does well to keep captures at the telephoto extreme relatively sharp.

There is a decent amount of control offered over recording, including a mic port; however, it would be nice to have a built-in ND filter to help better control exposure. Videos captured at the maximum 4K UHD resolution hold up well in good light, and there is also a decent amount of control offered over recording.

The Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 is the most obvious example of a superior superzoom choice available at this price point; nevertheless, the PowerShot SX70 HS combines a significant amount of control with an extensive zoom range within a compact body.

It would be a more consistent performer if it had more robust wide-angle results and better outcomes at higher ISO settings. Still, if you’re a fan of Canon and you anticipate you’ll be routinely shooting in the mid-telephoto range, the PowerShot SX70 HS could be the solution you’re looking for.

Options, such as 100 or 120 frames per second shooting. The camera does, however, include a time-lapse mode that can produce results in 4K, which is something that may be appealing to more creative people.

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS Auto Focus

The autofocusing mechanism is pretty lackluster on paper because it uses the contrast-detect AF principle and has just nine points that come into play in its basic auto setting. However, if you need to, you can move a single point across the screen to a more exact position.

In addition, manual focus with focus peaking is available, and you may concentrate up to 0 centimeters away from the subject while working in macro mode. Those shooting actions may take bursts of shots at a rate of 10 frames per second; however, this lowers to 5.7 frames per second when the continuous focus is used.

The camera can deliver photographs wirelessly and may be managed remotely from an iOS or Android device thanks to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth work together to provide wireless picture transfer and remote operation of the camera from an iOS or Android device. The camera can also receive photographs wirelessly from another device. Although there is no GPS per se, it is possible to insert GPS data into pictures using the Canon Camera Connect app.

When using the LCD, you may take up to 255 photos before having to charge the battery; when using the back display, you can take up to 325; however, switching to Eco mode increases this to around 405 frames. There is also support for UHS-I cards designed to the Class 3 standard, which may be inserted into the device’s slot, which takes SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards.

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS Design

  • Because of its deep grip, the handling is enjoyable.
  • LCD screens can undergo physical adjustments.
  • Access to the power control is a little bit cumbersome.

The PowerShot SX70 HS combines an electronic viewfinder with an LCD screen that can be articulated, which is currently the standard practice for cameras of this type. Because the electronic viewfinder (EVF) has a decent resolution of 2.36 million dots – a considerable improvement over the 922k-dot LCD inside the SX60 HS – it makes perfect sense that it operates to a fantastic quality when there is sufficient light.

The contrast is excellent, the colors are pleasing to the eye, and the details in the drawing are spot-on. In addition, it has an eye sensor built into it, which eliminates the need for manually switching the feed between the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and the LCD screen.

You may better appreciate how well this one operates when you think of the viewfinders that are typically cloudy and noisy and have color casts occasionally that come with models like this. Having said that, as soon as the light levels begin to decrease, the minor muddiness of the details makes it more challenging to determine whether or not the focus is exact, so you have to lay some confidence in the camera to do things right here.

The 3-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) contains 922k dots and can be rotated to display whatever is in front of it. However, it does not have a touchscreen, which may annoy individuals who are used to tapping on their smartphones and tablets. On the other hand, it performs to a quality that is appropriate for such a model, allowing for effortless movement and providing a solid grip thanks to its thick profile.

You also get a somewhat reduced version of the EOS interface in the LCD and the EVF. This version contains a My Menu tab that can be customized, which will undoubtedly satisfy existing Canon customers who are already accustomed to this user interface.

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS may not be a giant camera. Still, it has an intense grip and a designated spot on the back for the thumb, making it an enjoyable camera.

A mode dial that protrudes prominently from the top plate and a shutter-release button that provides distinct feedback between the locations it may be pushed in both contribute to the camera’s manageability.

The top plate also conceals a built-in flash, which offers a respectable range of control options via the menu. However, Canon decided to omit the hot shoe from the design of the PowerShot SX60 HS in this particular area, which means that external units cannot be installed.

The power and Wi-Fi buttons are located on the device’s top plate. Unfortunately, these are not arranged in the opposite direction since this would make the power control used more frequently easier to access with the forefinger.

In addition, the zoom control on the camera’s lens barrel seems to be positioned too high for comfort. However, if you have huge hands, this may not bother you as much. Since you can also zoom using the collar surrounding the button that releases the shutter, you could find that you don’t need to use this secondary control.

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS Image Quality

  • System for the effective stabilization of images
  • Capable of producing 4K video with acceptable quality.
  • Performance that falls short when using wide-angle lenses

When judged by the benchmark set by entry-level interchangeable-lens cameras, cameras created as an alternative to DSLRs and mirrorless cameras can sometimes fail to impress; nevertheless, the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS does an excellent job of breaking this precedent. At the very least, regarding how it operated, I found it much more enjoyable to use than I had anticipated.

In addition to the excellent handling, a significant portion of this may be attributed to the camera’s focusing technology, which usually gets things into focus quickly. Although it can achieve this regardless of where you are in the focus range when there is adequate light, its performance suffers when there is less than optimal light or when photographing scenes with less contrast. This is, however, pretty typical for cameras of this type.

The shot-to-shot timings are also perfect, even when shooting raw files, which is particularly handy at the telephoto end of the zoom range when you might want to take a few pictures to compensate for less-than-steady framing.

However, the image stabilization system does an excellent job of keeping the feed as stable as possible, and it’s usually possible to get precise composition with just a handful of frames. This is especially true when you provide additional stability with your face as it’s pressed to the viewfinder to achieve optimal results.

If you wish to change the color output, you may choose from various styles, such as Vivid and Neutral. However, the PowerShot SX70 HS follows in the footsteps of earlier Canon models in that it disables this option when raw pictures are captured (or simultaneous raw and JPEG frames). This can be a minor annoyance, especially if you are accustomed to manipulating these settings on a more complicated Canon camera model.

The camera’s output usually is consistent with what we should anticipate from a sensor of 1/2.3 inches. It performs admirably when working at the lowest sensitivities possible in environments with sufficient illumination but has some difficulty performing elsewhere. The photographs have excellent clarity, particularly in the intermediate focal length range. Even at the telephoto end, there is just a bit of noise reduction and softness, but other than that, the performance is satisfactory.

Curvilinear distortion is not a concern at either end of the lens, and vignetting is only genuinely noticeable in the settings most bothered by it. Optical aberrations are typically well-controlled. Chromatic aberration is handled effectively, despite purple fringing in regions of high contrast most of the time.

Specifications

Body typeSLR-like (bridge)
Max resolution5184 x 3888
Image ratio w h1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels20 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors21 megapixels
Sensor size1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
Sensor typeBSI-CMOS
ProcessorDigic 8
ISOAuto, 100-3200
White balance presets6
Custom white balanceYes
Image stabilizationOptical
CIPA image stabilization rating5 stop(s)
Uncompressed formatRAW
JPEG quality levelsFine, normal
Focal length (Equiv.)21–1365 mm
Optical zoom65×
Maximum apertureF3.4–6.5
AutofocusContrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View.
Digital zoomYes (4x)
Manual focusYes
Normal focus range5 cm (1.97″)
Macro focus range0 cm (0″)
Number of focus points9
Articulated LCDFully articulated
Screen size3″
Screen dots922,000
Touch screenNo
Screen typeTFT LCD
Live viewYes
Viewfinder typeElectronic
Viewfinder coverage100%
Viewfinder resolution2,360,000
Minimum shutter speed15 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/2000 sec
Aperture priorityYes
Shutter priorityYes
Manual exposure modeYes
Subject/scene modesYes
Built-in flashYes
Flash Range5.00 m (at Auto ISO)
External flashNo
Flash modesAuto, on, slow sync, off
Continuous drive10.0 fps
Self-timerYes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Metering modesMultiCenter-weighted spot
Exposure compensation±3
FormatMPEG-4, H.264
Modes3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC
MicrophoneStereo
SpeakerMono
Storage typesSD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMIYes (micro HDMI)
Microphone portYes
Headphone portNo
WirelessBuilt-In
Wireless notes802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth
Remote controlYes (via smartphone)
Environmentally sealedNo
BatteryBuilt-in
Battery descriptionLP-E12 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)325
Weight (inc. batteries)608 g (1.34 lb / 21.45 oz)
Dimensions127 x 91 x 117 mm (5 x 3.58 x 4.61″)
Orientation sensorYes
GPSNone

Final Verdict

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Canon Powershot SX70 20.3MP Digital Camera 65x Optical Zoom Lens 4K Video...

Last update was on: March 27, 2024 10:50 pm
$699.95 $730.00

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS is a capable camera for photographing wildlife and sporting events. Because it has a decent continuous shooting speed and a reasonably rapid buffer empty time, you can record fleeting moments of action moving quickly with minimal disruption.

Moreover, even at slower shutter speeds, the optical stabilization performs an outstanding job of keeping the image stable, which is made possible by the long focal length of the built-in lens.

This makes it ideal for photographing subjects that are located at considerable distances. When utilizing the maximum focal length, you might still require a tripod. The image quality is good; however, increasing the ISO substantially increases noise and a loss of clarity and sharpness, making it unsuitable for use while photographing in low-light environments. Its autofocus mechanism does an excellent job of following moving objects but is far less effective at following faces.

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS FAQs

Is Canon PowerShot SX70 HS a DSLR camera?

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS is not a DSLR camera but a bridge camera that looks like a DSLR camera.

Is the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS good for bird photography?

Because of its 65x optical zoom lens, image stabilization technology, and capability to capture images in RAW format, the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS may be a good choice for avian photography.

Does Canon SX70 HS have image stabilization?

The Canon SX70 HS comes equipped with optical image stabilization, which helps minimize blur caused by camera motion and results in more explicit photographs.

Does Canon SX70 HS have a touch screen?

Touching the Canon SX70 HS screen enables users to adjust the camera’s settings, such as the focus and exposure, and even capture pictures. The LCD screen on the Canon SX70 HS measures 3 inches and has a variable viewing angle.

Does Canon SX70 HS have Wi-Fi?

The Canon SX70 HS does come equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, enabling users to transmit pictures and exercise direct control over the camera by employing a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.

What year did the SX70 HS come out?

Late in 2018, Canon introduced the PowerShot SX70 HS to the consumer market.

Is the Canon SX70 HS waterproof?

Although the Canon SX70 HS is not watertight due to its weather-sealed construction, it can withstand some degree of exposure to dust and dampness.

How do I use my Canon PowerShot SX70 HS?

Before using your Canon PowerShot SX70 HS camera, please switch it on, charge the battery, and then attach a memory card. After that, you can use the buttons and dials on the camera to change the settings, focus, and capture pictures.

Alternatively, you can use the touch screen. Connectivity options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allow transmitting pictures and exercising remote control over the camera.

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