Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Review

September 22, 2014 | Gavin Stoker | Rating star Rating star Rating star Half rating star

Introduction

The Canon PowerShot SX520 HS is a new super-zoom camera. Incorporating a 42x otical zoom with optical image stabilisation, a 16-megapixel CMOS imager, and a dedicated movie button that enables users to easily record 1080p Full HD videos, the PowerShot SX520 HS also features Canon's Creative Shot mode that uses a combination of lighting, colour and composition from the original image to create unique, artistic images. The PowerShot SX520 HS digital camera has an official retail price of £299.00 / €359.00 / $399.99.

Ease of Use

When the bulk of the current market demand seems to involve higher ticket items, are manufacturers still making budget priced super zooms in an attempt to attract the money savvy away from their smartphones? It appears so, with the introduction of two new models in the Canon PowerShot range in the 16 megapixel SX520 HS, which we’re reviewing here and which is now on general sale at a suggested £299, plus the SX400 IS, which is to follow on later and will be an Argos exclusive model in the UK. The two bridge models boast 42x (24-1008mm equivalent in 35mm terms) and 30x (24-720mm) zoom lenses respectively, suggesting a fair amount of poke for our pounds. The PowerShot SX520 HS comes with a 16 megapixel back illuminated CMOS sensor and Digic 4 processor – hence the ‘High Sensitivity’ claim indicated by the camera name – while, by contrast, the SX400 IS offers a 16 megapixel CCD. Given the all-encompassing lens reaches on offer, both cameras feature optical image stabilisation, as we would expect.

Canon claims that the cameras’ handgrip/s have been made more ergonomic and DSLR-like this time around, and the moulded, rubberised grip on the SX520 HS certainly feels comfortable when gripping the camera in the palm. Also, and unusually for a bridge camera in this price bracket, power comes courtesy of a rechargeable lithium ion cell, rather than a fistful of bog standard AA’s. Hence pick the SX520 HS up and it feels surprisingly lightweight for a bridge/super zoom/all-in-one model. It may say officially a weight of 441g with card and battery inserted, but to us it at least feels lighter than that. For obvious reasons this is a camera therefore that you’ll want to grasp with both hands when attempting shots towards the telephoto end of the available zoom – and we were able to achieve blur-free daylight results this way.

Although the majority of the lens retracts back within its housing when not in use, the optics here obviously dominate proceedings, meaning this is still a bulky-ish camera, even if it does take up less space than a DSLR proper with an eye-level viewfinder would – incidentally the latter is a feature this bridge camera omits. The 3-inch, 461k dot resolution back screen is also fixed; so there’s no ability to tilt or swivel to achieve more creative framing angles, which might have been agreeable, but, given the low-ish cost, this isn’t a deal breaker either. The widest 24mm still allows us to pack much into the frame, while the telephoto setting means that candid close ups of unsuspecting subjects are easy to achieve if you’re into your street photography. The all-encompassing nature of the lens reach also makes this one a perfect tourists’ camera, in providing us with plenty of framing options without the need to take a step forward or back.

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Front Rear

The SX520 HS further features what Canon refers to as an improved Zoom Framing Assist Auto mode, which can automatically adjust the zoom to maintain subjects at a pre-set size within the frame; if a subject is about to escape the confines of your framing the camera can automatically zoom out to keep them in the frame. Obviously this is for those who feel they need a bit of ‘hand holding’ and suggests itself as an ideal application for fast moving subjects; more experienced photographers may want to ignore this entirely.

This mega zoom has further tricks up its proverbial sleeve too. For example, its Creative Shot option whereby any one of a number of on board special effects is automatically applied when firing the shutter; five additional files can be generated, each with a different special effect. Sounds fun, but again more experienced users may well find themselves reaching for the delete button. It’s also worth noting here that only JPEG capture is offered by this Canon when it comes to shooting stills, again not a total surprise given that the SX520 HS costs less than £300. Full HD 1920x1080 pixels video capture is also offered at a maximum 30fps, and there is a dedicated button provided top right of the back plate, partially set into the rear of the handgrip, for recording to commence. Otherwise photographers get the choice between manual and ‘smart auto’ settings when it comes to stills.

From the front of the SX520 HS then it’s all about the lens – and the handgrip. Above the latter sits an ergonomically positioned, raised, forward-slanted shutter release button encircled by a familiar lever for adjusting the zoom, with large raised lip to the front for catching the pad of your forefinger. Sitting above the lens itself is a neatly hidden flash that needs to be manually raised. There’s no dedicated button to do this – instead we just grip the edges between forefinger and thumb and pull up to activate. Sitting behind the flash on the camera’s top is a built in stereo microphone, with a speaker provided on the camera’s left hand flank, if viewing it from the rear.

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Top Rear

Tucked into the right hand side of the lens barrel, if viewed from the front, are two operational buttons. Other than being something to do with the zoom and framing options, it isn’t immediately obvious what these are for and the only hard copy manual provided in the box is a pretty basic getting started guide in a multitude of languages that doesn’t even offer an annotated diagram of controls. However an online download of the manual confirms that these are framing assist ‘seek’ and framing assist lock buttons respectively. These are designed to come to the photographer’s aid should they temporarily lose sight of their subject when zoomed in manually, with a press of the former button revealing a ‘zoomed out’ display, with a white frame shown around the original framing in play before the button was pressed, enabling, in theory, the photographer to re-acquire their subject and then release said button. The lock button claims to help reduce camera shake at the telephoto end of the zoom, with the camera applying optimal image stabilisation for shooting at the telephoto end.

Top right of these is a window for the camera’s AF assist/self timer lamp – quite powerful and prominent as it happens when shooting in low light.

Moving our attention to the top plate meanwhile, and sat just behind the aforementioned shutter release button and zoom lever are a chunky partially inset command dial of the type usually found on DSLRs and pricier bridge models, plus an even more prominent shooting mode selection dial set just behind. This features a comprehensive 11 options, ranging from the fully automatic point-and-shoot selections to program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual mode choices. Among these we also get a Live View mode for real time monitoring of the results that making adjustments to images might have. A press of the display section of the rear plate control pad in tandem with this mode selected provides us with the option of tweaking exposure between light and dark, adjusting colour between neutral and vivid, or cool and warm. Adjustments are made to the left or right of screen with the visual aid of a slider control. Once you have the setting your desire, squeeze the shutter release button to shoot.

We are also given two auto modes on the PowerShot’s shooting mode dial. One is your straightforward ‘smart auto’ mode – point and shoot and hope the camera delivers its best, which is a reliable fallback for any first timer. The other is what Canon are calling a hybrid auto option, that allows a short video clip burst to be shot and date linked with the still image taken just before it. In practice when you replay the short clip in-camera it ends on a shot of the still and the sound of the shutter. Not exactly essential, but a neat trick nonetheless.

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Front Side

Also to be found on the shooting mode dial is the Creative Shot option mentioned earlier. Implement this, and a burst of images is taken, with a differing visual effect applied to each. Again this feels like a fun in inessential addition to the camera. Moving around the dial we come to an option for scene modes and another for further picture effects. The scene modes here are few. We’re given a chance of Portrait and Smart Shutter – the latter taking shots automatically when it detects a face – along with high speed burst recording (whereby resolution is limited to 4 megapixels), a low light option (with results again limited to 4MP), a snow mode, plus a fireworks mode. Again, this is pretty much what anyone would expect from a Canon in this price bracket. It’s again business as usual when we investigate the effects filters being provided here, which are largely the same as those found on any PowerShot compact camera released in the past three or four years: namely the fish eye effect, miniature mode, toy camera effect, monochrome and Super Vivid options, and finally Poster Effect. Finally there is also a Movie mode option on the top plate dial, though you don’t actually have to have the camera set to this mode to begin filming – simply pressing the record button will commence video capture.

Nestling next to the shooting mode dial and set into the top plate on the SX520 HS is a power button. Press this and the camera readies itself for action in just over two seconds, which is perfectly acceptable, the lens extending from its housing within the lens barrel while the rear LCD screen automatically activates. The camera is just as swift to commit a full resolution shot to memory – writing it to your choice of SD media card in around two seconds maximum. No complaints from us in either respect.

The back of the SX520 HS meanwhile is clean and almost minimalist in its design and control layout, ape-ing what anyone would expect to find on a point and shoot camera and throwing in a couple of extras, such as a dedicated exposure compensation button sitting just below the one for activating video recording. Here the choice is +/- 2EV, and adjustments are made to exposure via a spin of the top plate command wheel rather than merely tabbing left or right via the backplate control pad.

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Memory Card Slot Battery Compartment

The other buttons here are equally straightforward and obvious, comprising a playback button, a menu button, and a drive mode button (with a choice of single shot or continuous 1.6fps capture at full resolution, with high speed burst allowing 10fps but sacrificing resolution with just 4MP offered). Between these conrols sits the aforementioned control pad, with a means of selecting ISO, flash modes, display settings and focus options (manual, macro, auto) ranged around it, and with a familiar function set button in the middle. Canon has obviously stuck with the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it approach’ with this latest PowerShot. Here ISO stretches from ISO100 to a modest ISO3200, selectable incrementally, while flash options are obviously only accessible if the user has first manually raised the flashbulb. Here the options are auto flash, forced flash, slow-synchro flash or flash deactivated, with a red eye reduction/compensation mode separately selectable by drilling into the menu screens.

The right hand flank of the SX520 HS meanwhile features two output ports protected by a rubber flap: here we get the familiar USB port and HDMI output, though no HDMI cable is included in the package. Canon does however include a nifty neck strap.

The base of this entry-level bridge model features a centrally located screw thread for tripod attachment plus alongside this a shared compartment housing battery (good for 210 shots, officially) and optional yet essential SD card, protected by a slide open door. Though it may look ‘serious’ to the uninitiated because of its DSLR shape and stylings, it transpires the SX520 HS is a fairly simple and easy to get to grips with beast. But, how do its images marry up to that assessment? Is the SX520 HS top dog when it comes to shots taken at the telephoto end, or is it best deployed as a ‘wide boy’ for landscape and group portraiture? Read on to find out...

Image Quality

All of the sample images in this review were taken using the 16 megapixel SuperFine JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 6Mb.

Even without selecting any ‘Super Vivid’ colour option, with plenty of daylight available the colours from the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS really ‘pop’ – particularly the blues and greens of landscape shots. There is also enough detail in the highlights and shadows to satisfy, and, though we could always do with more detail still, we are talking about a camera with a small-ish, standard 1/2.3-inch sensor. Because of this, its maker has also seen fit to limit the top selectable ISO light setting to a modest sounding ISO3200. There is also the option of selecting the fully auto low light mode, though this results in a resolution drop to four megapixels and some quite frightening results in near darkness, so is on most occasions best avoided. To avoid grain/image noise, the old adage of sticking at ISO800 – or ISO1600 at a push – still applies, with the top whack ISo3200 setting, while not terrible and more forgiving perhaps if you plan to turn the result into a monochrome image, only really worth accessing in the case of an emergency.

A maximum lens aperture of f/3.4 may be nothing to write home about, progressing to a so-so f/8 at extreme telephoto, but again it's a case of horses for courses at this price. At maximum wide angle we’re noticing a teeny bit of softness in the extreme corners of the frame as well as a fish eye effect due to that ultra wide 24mm maximum setting, and a slight softness overall to images taken handheld at the maximum telephoto option. But for a camera costing under £300 results and detail are, in fact, not bad at all. Plus this has to all be evaluated in the context of a zoom reach that allows a great degree of flexibility over how we frame still photos and videos. While the SX520 HS is never going to replace a DSLR or CSC, for a family wanting a cheap-ish all-in-one option it could still be recommended.

Noise

There are 6 ISO settings available on the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS. Here are some 100% crops which show the noise levels for each ISO setting.

ISO 100 (100% Crop)

ISO 200 (100% Crop)

iso100.jpg iso200.jpg
   

ISO 400 (100% Crop)

ISO 800 (100% Crop)

iso400.jpg iso800.jpg
   

ISO 1600 (100% Crop)

ISO 3200 (100% Crop)

iso1600.jpg iso3200.jpg

Sharpening

Here are two 100% crops which have been Saved as Web - Quality 50 in Photoshop. The right-hand image has had some sharpening applied in Photoshop. The out-of-the camera images are a little soft at the default sharpening setting. You can change the in-camera sharpening level if you don't like the default look.

Original (100% Crop)

Sharpened (100% Crop)

sharpen1.jpg sharpen1a.jpg
   
sharpen2.jpg sharpen2a.jpg

Focal Range

The Canon PowerShot SX520 HS's 42x zoom lens has a massive focal range of 24-1008mm, as illustrated by these examples.

24mm

1008mm

focal_range1.jpg focal_range2.jpg

Chromatic Aberrations

The Canon PowerShot SX520 HS suffered from chromatic aberrations, with purple fringing present around the edges of objects in high-contrast situations, particularly at the edges of the frame, as shown in the examples below.

Chromatic Aberrations 1 (100% Crop)

Chromatic Aberrations 2 (100% Crop)

chromatic1.jpg chromatic2.jpg

Macro

The Canon PowerShot SX520 HS allows you to focus on a subject that is just 0cms away from the camera. The first image shows how close you can get to the subject (in this case a compact flash card). The second image is a 100% crop.

Macro

Macro (100% Crop)

macro1.jpg macro1a.jpg

Flash

The flash settings on the Canon Powershot SX520 HS are Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, and Slow Sync Speed, with Red-eye Reduction options available in the main menu. These shots of a white coloured wall were taken at a distance of 1.5m.

Flash Off - Wide Angle (24mm)

Flash On - Wide Angle (24mm)

ISO 64 ISO 64
   

Flash Off - Telephoto (720mm)

Flash On - Telephoto (720mm)

ISO 64 ISO 64

And here are some portrait shots. As you can see, neither the Flash On or the Red-eye-Reduction settings caused any red-eye.

Flash On

Flash On (100% Crop)
flash_on.jpg flash_on1.jpg
   

Red-eye Reduction

Red-eye Reduction (100% Crop)

flash_redeye.jpg flash_redeye1.jpg

Night

The Canon Powershot SX520 HS's maximum shutter speed is 15 seconds, which is great news if you're seriously interested in night photography. The shot below was taken using a shutter speed of 1 second at ISO 100.

Night

Night (100% Crop)

night1.jpg night1a.jpg

Sample Images

This is a selection of sample images from the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS camera, which were all taken using the 16 megapixel JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.

Sample Movie & Video

This is a sample movie at the highest quality setting of 1920x1080 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please note that this 49 second movie is 188Mb in size.

Product Images

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Front of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Front of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Side of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Side of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Rear of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Rear of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS / Image Displayed

 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Top of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Bottom of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Side of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

 

Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Side of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Rear of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Top of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Side of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Memory Card Slot
 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Battery Compartment

Conclusion

Cramming a big 42x optical zoom into a compact body with a small-ish sensor is never going to make for the best of bedfellows if the ultimate in image quality is your aim, but we’d argue the 16 megapixel Canon PowerShot SX520 HS is more about convenience, flexibility and value for money – each of which it largely delivers on.

While having a camera with this kind of zoom range that feels lightweight into the bargain isn’t necessarily a bad thing – you want the conveniences of a broad focal range but not the bulk normally associated with it - the build does feel a tad plastic-y in comparison with the smaller DSLRs it resembles on first glance, but given the price tag this is to be expected.

With a suggested retail cost of £299 on launch the street price for the 16 megapixel PowerShot SX520 HS is bound to settle around the £250-£279 mark, which doesn’t sound bad at all, even if one could nowadays bag a two-year-old interchangeable lens EOS M for almost a similar outlay. This puts it well within the reach of someone looking for the one camera that does-it-all to photograph the kids on holiday or at Christmas, and who doesn’t want to bother with changing lenses. While photo enthusiasts may wish to look elsewhere, the more casual snapper – or someone just wanting more ‘poke’ in the lens department than usual for their pounds – will find much here to enjoy.

3.5 stars

Ratings (out of 5)
Design 3.5
Features 3.5
Ease-of-use 4
Image quality 3.5
Value for money 4

Main Rivals

Listed below are some of the rivals of the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS.

Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR

The Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR is a bridge compact camera with a massive 42x, 24-1000mm zoom lens. The HS50 also offers an autofocus lag of just 0.05 seconds, full 1080p movies at 60fps with stereo sound, a 3 inch vari-angle LCD screen, 11ps burst shooting and a 16 megapixel back-illuminated EXR sensor with RAW support. Is this the only camera you'll ever need? Read our Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR review to find out...

Fujifilm FinePix S9400W

The Fujifilm FinePix S9400W is a new bridge camera with a massive 50x, 24-1200mm zoom lens. The Fujifilm S9400W also offers built-in wi-fi, full 1080p movies at 60fps with stereo sound, a 3 inch LCD screen, electronic viewfinder, 10ps burst shooting and a 16 megapixel back-illuminated EXR sensor. Read our Fujifilm FinePix S9400W review now...

Fujifilm FinePix SL1000

The Fujifilm FinePix SL1000 is a brand new super-zoom camera sporting a massive 50x zoom lens. The SL1000 also features a 16 megapixel sensor, tilting 3-inch LCD screen, electronic viewfinder, 1080i movies, 10fps burst shooting, full range of manual shooting modes and RAW format support. Read the World's first Fujifilm FinePix SL1000 review now...

Kodak PixPro AZ521

The new Kodak PixPro AZ521 super-zoom camera features a massive 52x zoom lens with a focal range of 24-1248mm. Other highlights of the affordable Kodak AZ521 include a 3 inch LCD screen, full 1080p HD movies, and a 16 megapixel CMOS sensor. Read our in-depth Kodak PixPro AZ521 review now...

Nikon Coolpix P600

The Nikon Coolpix P600 is a new super-zoom bridge camera with an incredible 60x zoom lens. The Nikon P600 also has a back illuminated 16 megapixel CMOS sensor, 3-inch 921K-dot vari-angle LCD screen, full 1080p high-definition movies with stereo sound, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, an electronic viewfinder and 7fps burst shooting. Read our Nikon Coolpix P600 review to find out just what a 60x zoom lens is capable of...

Olympus SP-100EE

Looking like something out of a James Bond movie, the new Olympus SP-100EE has an integrated dot-sight to keep the subject within the image frame when using the camera's massive 24-1200mm equivalent lens. The SP-100EE also features a 16 megapixel sensor, 1080p HD video recording, and wi-fi connectivity. Read our Olympus SP-100EE review to find out if this is the right super-zoom camera for you...

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200

The Lumix DMC-FZ200 is Panasonic's premium super-zoom compact camera. Stand-out features of the FZ200 include a 24x zoom lens with a constant aperture of f/2.8 throughout the 25-600mm range, 1080p HD movies, a high-resolution LCD and EVF, fast auto-focusing, 12fps burst shooting and a 12 megapixel MOS image sensor. Read our expert Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 review now...

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 is a new superzoom compact camera with a incredible 63x zoom lens. The Sony H400 also features a 20 megapixel CCD sensor, 720p HD video with stereo sound, 3-inch screen, electronic viewfinder and a range of manual shooting modes. Read our Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 review to find out if it's the right super-zoom camera for you...

Specifications

IMAGE SENSOR

Type 1/2.3 type back-illuminated CMOS
Effective Pixels Approx. 16.0M¹
Total Pixels Approx. 16.8M
Colour Filter Type Primary Colour

IMAGE PROCESSOR

Type DIGIC 4+ with iSAPS technology

LENS

Focal Length 4.3 – 180.6 mm (35 mm equivalent: 24 – 1008 mm)
Zoom Optical 42x
ZoomPlus 84x
Digital Approx. 4x (with Digital Tele-Converter Approx. 1.6x or 2.0x ¹). Combined Approx. 168x
Maximum f/number f/3.4 - f/6.0
Construction 13 elements in 10 groups (3 UD lenses and 1 double-sided aspherical lens)
Image Stabilisation Yes (lens shift-type), Approx. 2.5-stop ¹. Intelligent IS with 5-axis Enhanced Dynamic IS

FOCUSING

Type TTL
AF System/ Points AiAF (Face Detection / 9-point), 1-point AF (fixed to centre)
AF Modes Single, Continuous, Servo AF/AE¹, Tracking AF
AF Point Selection Size (Normal, Small)
AF Lock Yes
AF Assist Beam Yes
Manual Focus Yes
Closest Focusing Distance 0 cm (W) from front of lens in Macro

EXPOSURE CONTROL

Metering modes Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame), Centre-weighted average, Spot (Centre)
AE Lock Yes
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments
Enhanced i-Contrast for automatic dynamic range correction
ISO sensitivity AUTO,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200

SHUTTER

Speed 1 – 1/2000 sec. (factory default)
15 – 1/2000 sec. (total range – varies by shooting mode)

WHITE BALANCE

Type TTL
Settings Auto (including Face Detection WB), Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom

COLOUR MATRIX

Type sRGB

LCD MONITOR

Monitor 7.5 cm (3.0”) TFT, Approx. 461,000 dots
Coverage Approx. 100%
Brightness Adjustable to one of five levels. Quick-bright LCD

FLASH

Modes Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro
Slow Sync Speed Yes. Fastest speed 1/2000 sec.
Red-Eye Reduction Yes
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments. Face Detection FE. Safety FE, Smart Flash Exposure
Flash Exposure Lock Yes
Manual Power Adjustment 3 levels with internal flash
Built-in Flash Range 50 cm – 5.5 m (W) / 1.3 m – 3.0 m (T)
External Flash Canon High Power Flash HF-DC2

SHOOTING

Modes Smart Auto (32 scenes detected), Program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Hybrid Auto, Live View Control, Creative Shot, SCN (Portrait, Smart Shutter (Smile, Wink Self-Timer, FaceSelf-Timer), High-speed Burst (4.0MP), Low Light, Snow, Fireworks), Creative Filters (Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect), Movie
Modes in Movie Smart Auto (21 scenes detected), Standard, Program AE, Portrait, Miniature Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Snow, Fireworks
Photo Effects My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color
Drive modes Single, Continuous, Self-Timer
Continuous Shooting Approx. 1.6 shots/sec (until memory card becomes full)
High-speed Burst (4.0MP): 10.0 shots/sec., up to 117 shots¹²

RECORDING PIXELS / COMPRESSION

Image Size 4:3 - (L) 4608 x 3456, (M1) 3264 x 2448, (M2) 2048 x 1536, (S) 640 x 480
16:9 - (L) 4608 x 2592, (M1) 3264 x 1832, (M2) 1920 x 1080, (S) 640 x 360
3:2 - (L) 4608 x 3072, (M1) 3264 x 2176, (M2) 2048 x 1368, (S) 640 x 424
1:1 - (L) 3456 x 3456, (M1) 2448 x 2448, (M2) 1536 x 1536, (S) 480 x 480
Resize in playback (M2, S)
Compression Superfine, Fine
Movies (Full HD) 1920 x 1080, 30 fps, (HD) 1280 x 720, 30 fps, (L) 640 x 480, 30 fps
Miniature Effect (HD, L) 6fps, 3fps, 1.5 fps
Hybrid Auto (HD) 30 fps
Movie Length (Full HD & HD) Up to 4 GB or 29 min. 59 sec.¹
(L) Up to 4 GB or 1 hour²

FILE TYPES

Still Image Type JPEG compression, (Exif 2.3 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system, Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant
Movies MOV [Video: MPEG4-AVC (H.264), Audio: Linear PCM (stereo)]

DIRECT PRINT

Canon Printers Canon SELPHY Compact Photo Printers and Canon Inkjet Printers supporting PictBridge
PictBridge Yes

OTHER FEATURES

Red-Eye Correction Yes, during shooting and playback
Intelligent Orientation Sensor Yes
Histogram Yes
Playback zoom Approx. 2x – 10x
Self Timer Approx. 2 or 10 sec., Custom
Menu Languages English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Greek, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Spanish, Ukrainian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Simplified Chinese, Chinese (traditional), Japanese, Korean, Thai, Arabic, Romanian, Farsi, Hindi, Malay, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Hebrew

INTERFACE

Computer Hi-Speed USB (MTP, PTP) DIGITAL connector
Other HDMI Mini Connector
A/V output (PAL/NTSC)

MEMORY CARD

Type SD, SDHC, SDXC

SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM

PC & Macintosh Windows 8 / 8.1 / 7 SP1
Mac OS X 10.8 / 10.9

SOFTWARE

Browsing & Printing ImageBrowser EX
Other CameraWindow
PhotoStitch

POWER SOURCE

Batteries Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-6LH (battery and charger supplied)
Battery life Approx. 210 shots
Eco mode approx. 290 shots
Approx. 300 min. playback
A/C Power Supply Optional, AC Adapter Kit ACK-DC40

ACCESSORIES

Cases / Straps Soft Case DCC-850
PowerShot Neck Strap NS-100
PowerShot Accessory Organizer
Lenses Lens Hood LH-DC60
Filter Adapter FA-DC67A (Compatible with Canon 67mm Filters: Circular Polarizing PL-C B, Protect Filter)
Flash Canon High Power Flash HF-DC2
Power Supply & Battery Chargers AC Adapter Kit ACK-DC40, Battery Charger CB-2LYE
Other Canon HDMI Cable HTC-100
Canon AV cable AVC-DC400ST
Interface cable IFC-400PCU

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Operating Environment 0 – 40 °C, 10 – 90% humidity
Dimensions (WxHxD) 120.0 x 81.7 x 91.9 mm
Weight Approx. 441 g (including battery and memory card)
   
Effective Pixels ¹ Image processing may cause a decrease in the number of pixels.
Zoom ¹ Depending on the image size selected.
Image Stabilisation ¹ Values at maximum optical focal length. Cameras whose focal length exceeds 350mm (35mm equivalent) are measured at 350mm.
AF Modes ¹ Some settings limit availability.
Continuous Shooting ¹ Under conditions where the flash does not fire.
² Depending on memory card speed / capacity / compression setting.
Movie Length ¹ The following Speed Class memory cards are required for maximum record time: (HD) 1280 x 720 Speed Class 4 or above. (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 Speed Class 6 or above. (iFrame) 1280 x 720 Speed Class 6 or above.
² Depending on memory card speed / capacity / compression setting.
  • All data is based on Canon standard testing methods (according to CIPA Standards) except where indicated.
  • Subject to change without notice.

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