Canon PowerShot SX50 HS: specifications and reviews of professionals

The most powerful optical zoom among all compact cameras at the time of its release in 2012 was the Canon Powershot SX50 HS. The reviews of professionals show that the device has not lost its popularity and boasts a number of features that make it relevant in our days. More details about this camera will be discussed in this article.

general description

Its appearance a little like a mirror type camera. Various elements of the hull are clearly distinguished by assembly lines and textural materials. The build quality is at a high level. To create the hull, the developers used mostly metal and high-strength plastic. Each individual element is well built and bolted. While working with the device, the driving parts do not hang out and work very smoothly.

As well as many similar devices, the device is quite a large body. Its weight along with the battery is about 600 grams. In comparison with the previous modification (SX40), the novelty received a flash, which is stronger than the design. The color scheme is dominated by black color, so the model is often called "Canon Powershot SX50 HS Black". To the right of the lens, the developers have installed a lamp to illuminate the automatic focus, while on the left - a protruding pen. Also in the front there are two buttons designed to turn on the tracking automatic focus and transfer the lens to wide-angle mode from any position.

The so-called shoe is provided in the upper part, which extends the possibilities of the device connected with the connection of external flashes. To the left of it there is a key for turning on the built-in flash, at the rear - an on / off button and a disc for changing modes of operation, and to the right - a shutter with a wheel for zoom control.

On the back of the Canon Powershot SX50 HS, in addition to the screen, you can see a few more items. The most extreme button on the left is customizable. In other words, the user can independently program for it any function that he wishes. On the right, the Japanese engineers installed a play start button and a navigation joystick, which can work in four directions. From the bottom are just two identical buttons, they serve to activate the on-screen menu and display settings with the viewfinder.

On the right side of the case, under the special plug, the AV and HDMI ports are hidden, as well as the connector for the remote control. On the left end, the developers put the speaker, and on the bottom - the socket to install the device on the stand. It should be noted that if you use a tripod, access to the removable memory card is blocked. In this regard, to replace it, you first need to unscrew the camera.

Display and viewfinder

On the back side is a 2.8-inch liquid crystal display equipped with a swivel mechanism. Its resolution is 461 thousand pixels. Such parameters can be called pretty decent, because they provide a clear picture when previewing frames. By pressing a special button the user can choose one of two options for displaying them (they differ in the number of images). On the other hand, many users of Canon Powershot SX50 HS note that in a device of such a high class it would be possible to install a better screen.

In addition to the main display, the device has a fairly high-quality electronic viewfinder. Even for most experts, it remains incomprehensible that the developers did not install a separate button for direct switching between them. In this regard, given the function of rotating the main screen, many camera owners do not usually use them. As for the viewfinder menu, it should be called understandable and simple in comparison with similar models from competing companies.

Ergonomics

Dimensions of the device do not allow you to hide it in your pocket or small female handbag. Along with this, a heavy case becomes an advantage when creating sharp pictures at the maximum approximation. In general, we can say that the Canon Powershot SX50 HS digital camera boasts good ergonomics. The successful design of servos, responsible for changing the lens in the focal length, makes it very quiet. Particularly relevant, this nuance becomes in the implementation of video, because the sound in the video is not muffled by extraneous noise.

Due to the presence of a special protrusion on the handle, the index finger is placed very comfortably. The display has bipolar angles, in connection with which shooting in non-standard situations is greatly simplified. Compared with the previous modification, the developers have expanded the user interface of the Canon Powershot SX50 HS. Reviews of the owners of the model in most cases characterize it as sufficiently smooth and convenient for work. As for the basic controls of the device, most of them are located exactly in the places where users would like to see them.

Main characteristics

The DIGIC-5 processor is the heart of the Canon Powershot SX50 HS. The characteristics of this device allow you to create serial images at a rate of up to 13 frames per second. Compared to its previous modification (DIGIC-4), the processor copes with noise by 75% more efficiently. In other words, under the condition of long focus, you can turn off the flash and slightly raise the ISO value. In this case, the photos will also be characterized by high quality, and there will be no noise on them. The optical stabilization system independently determines the optimal mode of operation. Whatever it was, the user, if desired, can manually choose one of seven suitable options for his work.

Matrix

The Canon Powershot SX50 HS is equipped with a 12.1-megapixel CMOS type matrix with backlight technology. This gives certain advantages when creating images in conditions of not the best lighting. In particular, it opens the sensitivity range to the user, whose ISO value is in the range from 100 to 6400. The optics provide the opportunity to realize 50-fold approximation of the subjects to be photographed. Moreover, the software of the device provides for the possibility of a fourfold digital approximation.

At first glance it may seem that the twelve megapixels for a modern camera will not be enough. Whatever it was, experts say that the size of each individual point due to low resolution has slightly increased. Thus, in the pictures compared to the previous modification of the camera, the noise level in the frame has decreased.

The largest image size is 4000 x 3000 pixels. In other words, photos taken with Canon Powershot SX50 HS can be printed in 34 x 25 centimeters without any loss of quality.

Modes of operation

At the top of the camera is a wheel to select the modes of operation. In total there are twelve positions on it. In particular, it provides almost everything that is necessary not only for the average user, but also for the professional: starting from the standard options for selecting shutter speed or aperture priority, ending with an automatic mode that boasts an extended dynamic range and video shooting capability.

Control

As with all other models from this manufacturer, the Canon Powershot SX50 HS is aimed at the right-hander. In this regard, it is not surprising that all the main elements are in the appropriate place. On the back panel Japanese engineers placed the direct keys for video, timer, ISO selection, changing the focus mode, and also a five-position standard joystick with a wheel. It is also used to navigate the menu. In all other respects, the device is very typical for the Canon brand.

Speed of work

Thanks to the use of a good processor, the time it takes to turn on the camera does not exceed a mark of two seconds. Considering the fact that massive optics are installed here, this figure can be called decent. To change the focal length from the smallest to the largest value, it takes a maximum of four seconds of time. This indicator is significantly worse when recording video clips (up to 10 seconds).

Quality and image formats

The device is able to create images in JPG and RAW formats. This feature allows it to look preferable to SLR cameras. Made videos and snapshots can be battled to be viewed on a large TV by simply connecting to it the camera Canon Powershot SX50 HS. Photos are of a quality that can be characterized as above average. This is primarily due to the low resolution of the sensor and the powerful processing processor.

Due to the automatic white balance function, the color mode in the foreground and background is determined very correctly. Algorithms of the model provide the ability to balance with an external light source and with a flash. As for noise, they are not felt when the ISO is in the range of up to 1600. Sharpness begins to drop significantly if its value reaches the 3200 mark. In the event that the ISO is 6400, the images will look blurry. At the same time, digital noise is not typical for such photos.

A high level of detail in complex areas is provided by the dynamic range correction function. For the sake of justice, it should be noted that this function is only available when shooting in JPG format. The level of chromatic aberration can be called very acceptable. Together with this, in very contrasting conditions, purple and green fringing may appear on the pictures.

In macro mode, even at the minimum distance of the lens from the object being shot, the photos are sharp. Whatever it was, certain changes can be made by the optical system itself. With a minimum focal length, the frames are characterized by a slight barrel distortion, and at the maximum - slight concave distortions.

Flash

The Canon Powershot SX50 HS Black is equipped with a standard flash that opens. In this regard, before using it, you need to remove your hand from the top panel. One of the three scenarios of its work is selected by clicking on a special button. As for the range of functioning, it is in the range of 0.5 to 5.5 meters.

As evidenced by the feedback of many model owners, it works well indoors. For the images obtained, both the exposure errors and the red-eye effect are uncharacteristic. When the night mode is active, the shutter speed can be set to an interval of up to 15 seconds. As practice shows, this is quite enough in most situations. Under conditions of poor illumination or long focus, the image stabilization system is very helpful.

Video shooting

The Canon Powershot SX50 HS is capable of producing HD 1080p video at a rate of 24 frames per second. Due to the permission, the user has the opportunity to increase it to 30 frames per second. The recording is accompanied by a stereo sound. The device allows you to scale directly while creating a video. If necessary, the user can record videos in the format of Full HD. Like many other similar modern devices, the model boasts a number of art filters.

Autonomy

A good indicator of battery life is considered one of the positive characteristics that the Canon Powershot SX50 HS can boast. Reviews of the owners of the device indicate that the full charge of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery capacity of 920 mAh, which is used here, enough to create an average of 315 photographs.

Overall Impression

Summing up, it should be noted that the model is positioned by the manufacturer as a flagship device in the zoom segment. Its main disadvantage is a rather high cost, which in domestic salons of equipment is about 510 US dollars. However, this disadvantage is typical for most Canon models.

The quality of the resulting photographs can be classified as above average. The main reason for choosing this camera is the possibility of 50-fold zoom in of the subjects to be photographed. On the other hand, for the same reason, many potential buyers are abandoning the idea of buying a Canon Powershot SX50 HS. Experts' testimonies indicate that it is not so simple to cope with it without proper practice. Plus, this feature leads to a significant increase in the cost of the model, while situations in which such a zoom might come in handy do not happen every day. Therefore, before buying this model, professionals recommend testing it first in the store, and only then make a final decision.