Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

In the ever-increasing battle for your biggest, baddest megazoom on this planet, Canon has fired its latest salvo using the PowerShot SX50 HS. This digital camera's 50x optical zoom delivers the equivalent of 24-1200mm vary from a 24mm wide-angle lens, and boasts several improvements over the PowerShot SX40 HS, an IR favorite plus a popular Dave's Pick. But staggering range isn't every one of the SX50 HS offers. A refined 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor as well as a DIGIC 5 processor was created to provide enhanced image quality inside a broader number of shooting situations.

Improved autofocus. Canon says the PowerShot SX50's upgraded AF system delivers a 50% reduction in autofocus time plus a 44% lowering of shutter lag as opposed to SX40. Canon told us it has worked to increase the AF speed of their new PowerShot cameras by strengthening the AF motors, cutting AF processing and reading scan times, helping the algorithm for lens movement, and reducing lens weight. The Canon SX50 HS also captures up to ten 12-megapixel JPEGs at 13 shots per second in High-speed Burst HQ Mode.

Increased stability. To support the megazoom performance of the PowerShot SX50 HS, the camera employs Canon's Intelligent IS optical image stabilization technology to incorporate increased stability to super-long-zoom and low-light shots. Additionally, extreme telephoto lengths are bolstered by an increased Zoom Framing Assist function, that allows you to locate, track and capture subjects at great distances. The Zoom Framing Assist Seek button saves your previous zoom position, then zooms over to find your subject, then returns for your saved position when you release it. A second Zoom Framing Assist Lock button allows your camera to lock the look stabilization on the center in the frame to pay for camera movement and earn it easier to maintain your subject inside the frame.

Design. The Canon SX50 HS looks comparable to its predecessor, though its lines are no longer as curvy. The grip is much more pronounced, and the Shutter button rests at a forward-sloping angle. Upgrades to the monitor add a slightly larger 2.8-inch, (approximately) 461K-dot vari-angle LCD. Canon also changed the button layout for the back, removing one button and making opportinity for a larger navigational wheel. Overall, the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS is only a fraction smaller and lighter than its predecessor, measuring 4.8 x 3.4 x 4.two inches and weighing 21.3 ounces.

Video and also other features. The Canon SX50 HS records video entirely 1080p HD at 24 frames per second, 720p at 30 fps, and VGA resolution at 30 fps. The camera allows for zooming while recording, and captures stereo audio. Super Slow Motion modes record VGA and QVGA clips at 120 and 240 fps respectively, without sound. Other upgrades for the PowerShot SX50 HS include a greater Smart Auto mode that could detect 58 scenes (when compared with just 32 for that SX40 HS), as well as the ability to capture 12-bit RAW or RAW+JPEG files, something previous models inside SX-line couldn't do.

One disappointing, but ultimately understandable spec concerning the SX50 HS could be the lens brightness. Going from the 35x to some 50x zoom means the most apertures increased to f/3.4 at its widest and f/6.5 at its longest focal length, when compared with f/2.7-5.8 for the SX40 HS. Guess you can not have everything.

Connectivity. The Canon SX50 HS may be connected with a computer or printer by using a USB (2.0 High Speed) cable which has a Mini-B plus on your camera side. The jack is really a combined USB/AV port useful for both data transfer and standard-def composite video/stereo audio output. There's also a Mini HDMI (Type C) port for high-def output, plus a remote jack for an optional RS-60E3 wired remote. Note, however, that no cables are included within the retail box -- they ought to be purchased separately.

Additionally, the digital camera features a hot shoe for attaching a Canon Speedlite (or third-party) accessory flash.

Battery and storage. The Canon SX50 HS is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery power (NB-10L) and comes which has a dedicated charger (CB-2LC). The battery is CIPA-rated for 315 shots on a single charge when using the LCD monitor, and 335 shots with the electronic viewfinder. An optional AC adapter kit (ACK-DC80) can be acquired separately.

The camera uses SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, and Eye-Fi cards are supported. Note that there is not any internal memory intended for storage. Still images can be recorded and stored as JPEG, 12-bit RAW and RAW+JPEG files. Videos are recorded and stored as H.264 MOV files.

Price and availability. Latest price for Canon PowerShot SX50 HS