Introduction

Ease of Use

We reviewed the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS's predecessor, the SX60 HS, 4 years ago in 2014, and externally little has changed since then with the launch of the SX70. It's really inside the camera where Canon have made improvements, with a new image sensor, processor, faster continuous shooting, 4K video recording, higher-resolution EVF, and Bluetooth connectivity all now on offer.

Externally the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS looks like the SX60 HS and most other high-end ultra-zoom bridge cameras too, which is to say it resembles a small DSLR camera. Considering it packs what’s currently one of the biggest zoom ranges in the business, the camera isn’t particularly large at 127 x 90.9 x 116.6mm, and at 610g it cuts 40g off the weight of the previous SX60 model. It boasts solid build quality, with a rugged plastic casing that’s free from flex or squeaks and a tactile rubber coating on the chunky hand and thumb grips.

Front of the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

Considering the SX70 HS is such a feature-packed camera, its control layout is fairly simple and logical. Some buttons are a little more unusual though, like those positioned on side of the lens barrel.

The upper button activates Canon’s Zoom Framing Assist function. When you’re zoomed in to the max, it only takes a tiny twitch of the camera to send a distant subject flying out of frame. Finding it again can be frustrating, but by pressing and holding the Zoom Framing Assist button, the camera automatically zooms out but leaves an outline of the original frame size on screen. Position the outline around your subject, release the button and the camera automatically zooms back in.

Rear of the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

The lower button on the lens barrel then helps prevent you losing track of your subject again, as pressing it enhances the camera’s image stabilisation to further iron out camera shake. The effect is minimal though, however the Zoom Framing Assist feature is handy and effective.

A brand new control on the SX70 HS is a second Zoom control, located just in front of the Zoom Framing Assist buttons on the lens barrel. Naturally controlled with your left-hand thumb, we found it to be useful addition, especially when holding the camera up to eye-level and using the longer end of the telephoto lens.

Tilting LCD Screen

Sadly the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS dispenses entirely with the proper flash hotshoe mount of its predecessor, so you can no longer connect a separate flashgun or remote flash triggering device to this latest version. The camera’s built-in flash still has to be manually opened by pulling it upwards, rather than using a typical button release. Next to the flash there’s a useful button for establishing a Wi-fi or Bluetooth connection, and alongside it is the On/Off power button.

Initial set-up of the Wi-fi and can be a faff, requiring you to manually connect to the camera’s wireless hotspot, especially as the camera no longer supports NFC pairing. The new Bluetooth feature is a lot easier to setup. However you connect though, the Canon Camera Connect app lets you wirelessly transfer images to a smartphone, tablet or computer, as well as print to a PictBridge-compatible printer. The app also allows you to remotely control the camera with your phone and add GPS data to your images (when connected via Bluetooth).

Top of the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

There are also two dials on top of the SX70 HS. One is the front control dial just like you’d find on a Canon DSLR, which makes it far easier to adjust common settings like exposure compensation and aperture, rather than fiddling with buttons and menu settings. The main shooting mode dial sits behind this and provides instant selection of the camera’s auto, program auto, aperture and shutter priority modes, as well as a fully manual option, all great to see on a camera like this.

Another mode worth mentioning is Hybrid Auto, which automatically captures a couple of seconds of video with each still and compiles everything into a video digest of your day. Then if you switch to the Creative Filters mode, a further seven individual filter effects can be applied as you shoot. With so many shooting options to choose from, remembering your preferred settings can be tricky, but thankfully the C1 and C2 modes allow you to save two custom setups for quick recall. The SX70 HS also gains an automatic panorama setting mode, something that was missing from the SX60 HS.

Front of the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

The dedicated movie mode setting is what you need to choose to be able to use the SX70 HS' new 4K video recording feature. Thanks to its new sensor and processor, the SX70 can now record 4K video at 3840 x 2160 pixels at 30/25 fps, as well as the 1080p options that its predecessor offered.

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS's has both an LCD screen and EVF for image composition. Unfortunately the LCD screen still isn’t touch-sensitive, something that we complained about 4 years ago, and it also has exactly the same 922k-dot resolution, which is pretty low for a new camera in 2018. On the plus side, it does have great viewing angles which translate to accurate colour and contrast reproduction, regardless of your angle of view.

Side of the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

The screen also benefits from being a fold-out unit, making it easy to compose high and low angle shots, as well as a good old selfie. Screen brightness is also high enough to be usable under direct sunlight, but if things get too bright, the electronic viewfinder is a useful alternative.

The EVF has been improved since the SX60, now having 2.36-million dots rather than the 922k-dot resolution of its predecessor. It also gains an eye-sensor which automatically switches from the LCD screen to the EVF when you hold the camera up to your eye, again something that the SX60 HS didn't offer, and again directly addressing another complaint that we made about that camera.

Side of the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

Move to the back panel and we find a one-touch video record button to the right of the EVF, and then two buttons, the top one for exposure lock and the bottom one for selecting and locking the focus point. The function of these two buttons can be switched around if you so desire.

There are also plenty of display preferences available during both live view and image playback, including RGB histograms, activated by pressing the Info button. Also on the rear of the SX70 is the usual directional dial pad that doubles as controls for exposure compensation, flash, macro/manual focus and delete options.

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS In-hand

Navigating the SX70 HS’ menu system is easy thanks to Canon’s tried and tested design and layout. Pressing the Menu button directly underneath the rear directional pad displays a menu overlay of commonly used shooting settings, though these do change according to which mode you’re in.

When it comes to shooting with the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS, the camera will turn on and be ready to fire a shot in a pretty quick 1.5 seconds. Focusing in good light is almost instantaneous, but dimmer conditions slow things to a sluggish 1.5-2 seconds. Zooming-in to the longer focal lengths can also cause some focus hunting and general slowness, and the system is sometimes unreliable in these situations, too. Exposure metering is absolutely dependable though and isn’t fazed by high-contrast scenes. The 10fps continuous shooting rate, up from 6.5fps on the SX60, is exceptionally fast for this kind of camera.

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS’s 325 shot battery life from its smaller 875mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery isn't quite as good as its predecessor's 340 shot life. By activating the SX70 HS’ Eco mode, though, the battery life can be eked out to around 405 shots through subtle power-saving measures.

Image Quality

All of the sample images in this review were taken using the 20 megapixel SuperFine JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 7Mb for JPEGs.

The move to a 20 megapixel snesor hasn't done the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS any favours in the noise department. Its predecessor, the SX60, suffered from a small amount of noise at even the lowest sensor sensitivity, and unfortunately this is accentuated on the SX70. As ISO sensitivities increase, the high-end DIGIC 8 processor struggles to restrain image noise without sacrificing fine detail. Even by ISO 400, grain is prevalent and fine detail in the image appears smudged.ISO 800 is worse still, and we wouldn't recommended using ISO 1600 or 3200 if you can avoid it. All of which makes the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS a camera that you can only really use in good light.

On the plus side, the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS’s lens performs very well, with excellent corner sharpness and minimal distortion. Chromatic aberrations (purple fringing) can be spotted in high-contrast areas when viewing images at 100% size, but it’s not too distracting. Macro performance is also impressive as the camera can focus whilst touching your subject.

However, image quality can be prone to some deterioration when shooting at extreme telephoto zoom lengths. Unless you’re in very bright conditions, the image stabilisation system alone isn’t enough to compensate for camera shake and the relatively narrow f/6.5 maximum telephoto aperture doesn’t let enough light through for fast shutter speeds. Consequently higher ISO sensitivities are required, which in turn can make images taken at long focal lengths look very soft indeed.

Noise

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS has sixteen sensitivity settings available at full resolution, ranging between ISO100 and ISO3200 in 1/3 EV steps. Here are some 100% crops which show the noise levels for each ISO setting, with the JPEG version on the left and the RAW on the right.

JPEG	RAW
ISO 100 (100% Crop)	ISO 100 (100% Crop)
ISO 200 (100% Crop)	ISO 200 (100% Crop)
ISO 400 (100% Crop)	ISO 400 (100% Crop)
ISO 800 (100% Crop)	ISO 800 (100% Crop)
ISO 1600 (100% Crop)	ISO 1600 (100% Crop)
ISO 3200 (100% Crop)	ISO 3200 (100% Crop)

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 sharp enough 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)

Focal Range

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS’s 65x optical zoom lens gives you a focal range of 21-1365mm (in 35mm-camera terms). Canon’s ZoomPlus feature can double this to 130x with a minimal reduction in image quality, whilst an additional 2x conventional digital zoom will give a combined maximum 260x zoom, albeit at the expense of image quality.

21mm

1365mm

Chromatic Aberrations

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS suffered quite badly 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)

File Quality

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS has two file quality options: Fine and Normal. File sizes average around 4-5MB and 7-8MB respectively.

Fine (7.03Mb) (100% Crop)	Normal (3.76Mb) (100% Crop)
RAW (25.1Mb) (100% Crop)

Macro

With a 0cm macro focusing distance, you can literally touch the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS to your subject and it’ll still focus. This is only the case at maximum wide angle; zoom in and you’ll need to start backing the camera away from your subject.

Flash

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS’s built-in flash includes four modes: Auto, On, Slow Synchro and Off. Red-eye reduction needs to be activated via the camera’s main menu.

Flash Off - Wide Angle (21mm)

Flash On - Wide Angle (21mm)

Flash Off - Telephoto (1365mm)

Flash On - Telephoto (1365mm)

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

Red-eye Reduction

Night

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS longest shutter speed is 15 seconds, which is just about long enough for most night scenes when mounting the camera on a tripod or other support.

Anti-Shake

Canon’s Intelligent IS optical image stabilisation system does a great job at ironing out the effects of camera shake and is essential when using the full range of the SX70 HS’ focal length.

Shutter Speed / Focal Length	Anti-Shake Off (100% Crop)	Anti-Shake On (100% Crop)
1/5th sec / 24mm
1/200th sec / 1365mm

Creative Filters

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS offers a smaller range range of creative filters than its predecessor did, now numbering seven in total.

Off

Grainy B/W

Soft Focus

Fisheye

Art Bold

Water Painting

Toy Camera

Miniature

Sample Images

This is a selection of sample images from the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS camera, which were all taken using the 20.3 megapixel Fine JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.

Sample RAW Images

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We've provided some Canon RAW (CR3) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).

Sample Movies & Video

Product Images

Conclusion

The new Canon PowerShot SX70 HS is something of a mixed bag overall - it takes a few steps forward in terms of the features that it offers, but one big step backwards in image quality.

We praised the SX60 HS for its excellent image quality, but unfortunately the same can't be said for the new SX70 HS. The new 20 megapixel sensor is just too noisy, even at base ISO 100, with the camera effectively offering a usable range of just 100-400 before fine detail gets obliterated. This is only made worse by the camera's massive zoom range, which demands that use the higher ISO speeds in anything but good light to help keep shutter speeds fast enough to avoid camera shake. As most people buying this camera will be doing so for the massive zoom lens, they're only going to be disappointed when looking close-up at their zoomed-in shots.

On the upside, Canon have made a number of key improvements to the SX70 in the 4 years since the launch of its predecessor. Chief amongst them is 4K video recording, 10fps continuous shooting, a much better EVF, Bluetooth connectivity, eye-sensor and a useful second zoom control on the lens barrel. And it still retains the same high-quality 21-1365 mm lens. Sadly, all of these new features can't quite make up for the camera's still image quality.

Somewhat inevitably, the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS is also quite a lot more expensive at launch than the SX60 was, at least in the UK, jumping from £449 to £519.99 (although the US price is the same).

Ultimately, the move to a new sensor and processor combination has given Canon's DSLR-like super-zoom camera more features, but poorer image quality. If you like the photos that the SX70 produces, then it's a sound buy, but for us, there are super-zooms that take better pictures on the market...

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4
Features	4.5
Ease-of-use	4
Image quality	3
Value for money	3

Main Rivals

Listed below are some of the rivals of the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS.

Review Roundup

Reviews of the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS from around the web.

Specifications

News

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS super-zoom camera features a 65x optical zoom, 20.3 megapixel CMOS imaging sensor, high-resolution 2.36-million dot electronic viewfinder, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology and 4K video recording.

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS will be available for purchase in November 2018 for an estimated retail price of $549.99 / £519.99 / €599.99.

Canon USA Press Release

Zooming With Features: Canon Introduces Latest High-Power Zoom Digital Camera, The PowerShot SX70 HS

Latest Edition Provides 65x Optical Zoom, High-Resolution Electronic Viewfinder and 4K Video

MELVILLE, N.Y., September 20, 2018 – It’s a common saying that good things come in small packages and today, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, demonstrates this with the introduction of the new PowerShot SX70 HS compact digital camera. Featuring a 65x Optical Zoom Lens (equivalent to 211-1365mm1), 20.3 Megapixel2 CMOS imaging sensor and 4K video capabilities, the PowerShot SX70 HS camera is an ideal fit for anyone who wants powerful optical performance in a compact package. With a minimum focusing distance of 0cm3 and a zoom up to 2730mm1 (with ZoomPlus), the PowerShot SX70 HS allows users to create beautiful close-ups and stunning wide shots without changing lenses.

“In this day and age, cameras are becoming smaller while the desired list of features continues to grow,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Canon continues to be committed to incorporating the latest features in our compact cameras and the new PowerShot SX70 HS is our very latest version, providing the dynamic combination of a compact body, powerful zoom and robust features that photo and video enthusiasts alike will love.”

The PowerShot SX70 HS features a 0.39-inch, approximately 2.36-million dot, high-definition OLED Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) for clear, crisp representation of what the lens is seeing. This camera also features 4K video shooting and frame grabbing,4 and is the first Canon point-and-shoot camera compatible with the latest RAW format (.CR3). With the addition of a new eye sensor, the camera automatically switches to the EVF display simply by bringing the camera up to the eye. Additionally, the inclusion of built-in Wi-Fi®5 and Bluetooth®6 technology offers quick and easy sharing, making the switch from smartphone photography to the PowerShot SX70 HS camera simple and fun.

The DIGIC 8 processor enables the PowerShot SX70 HS camera to achieve five stops of IS with dual-sensing image stabilization (IS). Even during handheld shooting, IS allows users to take pictures with minimal worry about camera shake. The camera also features high-speed continuous shooting at up to 10 fps. A Zoom Framing Assist button on the side of the lens barrel enables quick adjustments of the view angle, which is especially useful during telephoto shooting. With a large grip for comfortable, stable shooting and an EOS-like user interface, the PowerShot SX70 HS will make it easy for artistic vision to come to life in the hands of photographers at any level.

Availability and Pricing

The PowerShot SX70 HS will be available for purchase in November 2018 for an estimated retail price of $549.99. To learn more information about Canon U.S.A products, visit usa.canon.com/.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean markets. With approximately $36 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents granted in 2017† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2018. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based service and support for all of the products it distributes in the United States. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. In 2014, the Canon Americas Headquarters secured LEED® Gold certification, a recognition for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of high-performance green buildings. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA. For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

#  #  # 

1 In 35mm format.

2 Image processing may cause a decrease in the number of pixels.

3 From the end of the lens, wide-angle only.

4 Frame grabbed images on the camera cannot be trimmed. Other than 4K movies, frame grabbing of Full HD or HD movies is not possible.

5 Compatible with iOS® versions 8.4/9.3/10.2, Android™ smartphone and tablet versions 4.1/4.2/4.3/4.4/5.0/5.1/6.0/7.0/7.1. Data charges may apply with the download of the free Canon Camera Connect app. This app helps enable you to upload images to social media services. Please note that image files may contain personally identifiable information that may implicate privacy laws. Canon disclaims and has no responsibility for your use of such images. Canon does not obtain, collect or use such images or any information included in such images through this app.

6 Compatible with select smartphone and tablet devices (Android™ version 5.0 or later and the following iOS® devices: iPhone 4s or later, iPad 3rd gen. or later, iPod Touch 5th gen. or later) equipped with Bluetooth® version 4.0 or later and the Camera Connect App Ver. 2.0.30. This application is not guaranteed to operate on all listed devices, even if minimum requirements are met.

7Availability, prices and specifications subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set be individual dealers and may vary.

† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Canon UK Press Release

Featuring cutting-edge technology to produce high-resolution images and 4K Ultra HD video

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Thursday 20th September 2018 – Canon Europe announces the launch of the PowerShot SX70 HS, a bridge camera with a powerful 65x optical fixed lens zoom, equivalent to a 21-1365mm focal length. Featuring DSLR-style looks and handling, a 7.5 Vari-Angle LCD screen, 20.3 Megapixel sensor and 4K Ultra High Definition video, the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS is an ideal all-in-one camera, capable of handling all types of shooting scenario, without the need to carry multiple lenses.

The PowerShot SX70 HS’s 65x zoom extends to an impressive 2730mm equivalent focal length with Canon’s ZoomPlus functionality, ideal for capturing distant scenes from afar. With a focal length of this strength, the camera is well equipped to capture everything from a concert, graduation ceremony or even the details on a distant plane. The 0cm macro mode enables users to focus on objects that are virtually touching the lens, ideal for capturing the intricate detail of a watch face, plate of food or wild flowers in bloom. The Zoom Frame Assist Lock function helps maintain framing when taking super-telephoto images, suitable for capturing fast-moving sports or wildlife.

The classic DSLR-style ergonomics of the camera and its high-resolution OLED electronic viewfinder delivers sturdy handling and control when composing photographs, particularly helpful at popular tourist attractions or while on the move.

The power of the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS lays with the cutting-edge and superfast DIGIC 8 processor, which produces high resolution images, 4K Ultra High Definition video and a continuous shooting speed of 10 fps (frames per second). The autofocus is highly responsive and adaptive, even in low-light and continuous autofocus is possible when shooting at 5.7 fps, allowing spontaneous moments to be captured with ease. 

The DIGIC 8 processor also powers the cameras 4K Ultra HD video capabilities, including 4K time-lapse and 4K frame grabs, so stunning landscapes or special memories can be captured and preserved in the highest of resolutions.

The camera’s enhanced 20.3MP 1/2.3-type CMOS sensor delivers a 25 per cent increase in resolution, compared to the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS predecessor, the SX60 HS at 16.1MP, bringing a new level of detail and vividness to images. This sensor upgrade also means that large photo prints look beautiful when taken on the camera, doing justice to precious family memories as they take pride-of-place on the wall.

In addition to sharp JPEGs, the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS can capture images in RAW or compact RAW format, opening a world of professional post-production techniques, providing limitless ways to impress with optimised photographs.

It has never been easier to sync images or videos to a smart device, PC or Mac[1] via the Auto Image Sync and Transfer mode using the Canon Camera Connect app (iOS/Android), or Image Transfer Utility 2 for PC and Mac. The PowerShot SX70 HS also features Remote Live View, which enables images to be taken remotely via a smartphone[2], meaning no-one is ever left out of a family portrait.

Canon’s new premium bridge camera delivers a truly portable and versatile shooting experience, capable of capturing everything from a vlog to wildlife on the African Savanna or a portrait of a loved one at a family occasion. This multi-purpose camera will get users closer to the action, when it matters.  

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS will be available to purchase from November 2018

For more information, please visit: https://www.canon.co.uk/camera...

Key Benefits:

Look and feel of an all-in-one DSLR with an easy-to-use interface

Versatile shots with a 65x superzoom and 10 fps shooting

Capture important memories in RAW and 4K UHD video

Reliable, fast autofocus even in low light

Phone and computer support via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi

What’s in the box:

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

Battery Charger LC-E12E

Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LP-E12

Lens Cap

Neck Strap NS-DC11

AC Cable (E)

User Manual Kit

Image Gallery

Click on a thumbnail to see the full version.

Hands On

Want to see exactly what the new Canon Powershot SX70 HS super-zoom camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Canon Powershot SX70 HS super-zoom camera.

A gallery of hands-on photos of the Canon Powershot SX70 HS super-zoom camera.

Image Gallery

Click on a thumbnail to see the full version.

Preview Images

Ahead of our full review, here are some sample JPEG and Raw images taken with the new Canon PowerShot SX70 HS super-zoom camera, including the full ISO range. The Canon SX70 HS is a 20 megapixel compact camera with a 65x zoom lens, equivalent to a focal range of 21-1365mm.

A gallery of sample photos taken with the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS camera.

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS Sample Images

Sample RAW Images

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We've provided some Canon RAW (CR3) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).

Sample Movies & Video

Your Comments