Canon Powershot SX50 HS Summary

12 Megapixels12 MegapixelsUltra-Zoom: At least 10X optical zoom.Ultra-Zoom: At least 10X optical zoom.Electronic View FinderElectronic View FinderHigh ISO: ISO 6400 or more is available at full-resolution.High ISO: ISO 6400 or more is available at full-resolution.Stabilization: Compensates for tiny involuntary movements of the camera.Stabilization: Compensates for tiny involuntary movements of the camera.Level: Measures camera tilt and helps to keep the horizon level.Level: Measures camera tilt and helps to keep the horizon level.Continuous DriveContinuous DriveFull 1080p HD Video: 1920 x 1080 resolution or more but less than 4K.Full 1080p HD Video: 1920 x 1080 resolution or more but less than 4K.Manual Controls: Both fully-manual (M) and semi-automatic modes (T and V).Manual Controls: Both fully-manual (M) and semi-automatic modes (T and V).Custom White-Balance: Specifies exactly what should be white to the camera.Custom White-Balance: Specifies exactly what should be white to the camera.Action Photography: Shutter speeds of 1/1500 or more.Action Photography: Shutter speeds of 1/1500 or more.Night Photography: Reaches shutter-speeds longer than 4 seconds.Night Photography: Reaches shutter-speeds longer than 4 seconds.Hotshoe: Allows external flash units to be attached.Hotshoe: Allows external flash units to be attached.Spot MeteringSpot MeteringAccepts Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC), SDHC and SD memory.Accepts Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC), SDHC and SD memory.Neocamera detailed reviewNeocamera detailed reviewDiscontinued: No longer produced by the manufacturer. May still be in stock or found used.Discontinued: No longer produced by the manufacturer. May still be in stock or found used.

Canon Powershot SX50 HS Assessment

As the flagship Canon ultra-zoom, the Canon Powershot SX50 HS sports the longest optical zoom ever built into a digital camera. With an equivalent focal-range of 24 to 1200mm, the SX50 HS is king of zooms. Even with this 50X zoom ratio, the SX50 HS is not the biggest ultra-zoom. To make this lens so compact, Canon had to limit the maximum aperture to F/3.4 at the wide-end and F/6.5 at the long-end. This makes a tripod more necessary than with any other ultra-zoom. Compare the SX50 with other flagship ultra-zooms here.

The Canon Powershot SX50 HS is a prosumer digital camera with the requisite manual controls, including manual focus and custom white-balance, plus a hot-shoe and built-in EVF. It has advanced features like exposure and focus bracketing and it can shoot full 1080p HD video with stereo sound.

Image quality is good for this type of camera, falling short compared to the Fujifilm X-S1
Fujifilm X-S1
but delivering twice the zoom in a smaller body. No free lunch here! The speed of this camera is also quite good. The main usability issue is that the variable-speed electronic zoom is jumpy.

Choosing a camera like the SX50 HS is all about the zoom and, this time, there are no other models that can match it. If you need such a long zoom, you have to get used to its compromises.

Neocamera detailed reviewNeocamera detailed review Read the Canon Powershot SX50 HS review.

PROS CONS
Class-leading 50X optical zoom Useless ISO 3200 & 6400 sensitivities
Nice retention of details Noise visible at all ISO
Good metering system Limited dynamic range
Punchy image colors but no too much Max 1s shutter-speed above ISO 80
Excellent white-balance Sluggish autofocus
Class-leading 0cm macro focus High distortion near wide-angle
Impressive stabilization Miniscule EVF
Sensitive autofocus No EVF/LCD toggle
Resists purple fringing Control-dial too slim
Intuitive user-interface Weak LCD hinge
Innovative framing aid Short battery-life
Quite responsive
Good video response
Speedy playback mode
ExcellentExcellent Excellent

Canon Powershot SX50 HS Related Information

Sister Models
Canon Powershot SX40 HS
Canon Powershot SX40 HS
- 35X Optical Zoom, ISO 3200 Max, 10 FPS
Canon Powershot SX50 HS
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By Neocamera on 2012-12-12

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Canon SX50 HS Highlights

Canon Powershot SX50 HS
Large digital camera

Sensor-Size: 6 x 5mm

1/2.3" Sensor

Actual size when viewed at 100 DPI

12 Megapixels Ultra ZoomISO 80-6400
50X Ultra-Wide Optical ZoomShutter 1/2000-15s
Built-in StabilizationFull manual controls, including Manual Focus
Unknown Size Built-in EVF 200K PixelsCustom white-balance with 2 axis fine-tuning
1 Axis Digital LevelSpot-Metering
2.2 FPS Drive, 10 ImagesHot-Shoe
1920x1080 @ 24 FPS Video RecordingLithium-Ion Battery
2.8" LCD 460K PixelsSecure Digital Extended Capacity
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