Crazy Consumer Electronics World: Review: Updated: Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Overview

The bridge camera sector of the market is one that continues to grow and expand, despite the relative downturn in the rest of the compact camera arena.

These cameras are DSLR-like in shape and sometimes size, but find themselves within the compact camera area of the market because of the size of their sensor, which is generally the same as standard compact cameras. In addition, the lens is fixed rather than interchangeable.

Canon SX520HS

The Canon SX510 HS has been around for some time, and with the increase in competition from Sony, Panasonic and Samsung, it's not surprising to see Canon introducing new models in this sector.

In terms of its zoom range, although 42x is long, it's not the longest on the market. That honour goes to the recently introduced Canon SX60, which features a 65x optical zoom - so if you are looking for even greater zoom, perhaps take a look at that camera. Others on the market feature up to 62x optical, too. Still, with a 24mm-equivalent wide angle lens, the SX520 gives you an impressive reach of 1008mm-equivalent at the telephoto end of the optic.

Canon has also included its ZoomPlus technology for this camera, which is its type of digital zoom. That boosts the zoom range up to 84x, and works by rebuilding the pixel count up to the same resolution as those taken using the optical zoom.

The SX510HS uses a 16 million pixel 1/2.3 inch CCD sensor, which is a fairly unusual choice in these times when most manufacturers are using CMOS sensors. Traditionally, CMOS sensors perform better, so it will be interesting to assess the image quality of the camera when we get a full sample in for review. The good thing about CCD sensors is that they tend to keep a camera's price down.

Canon SX520HS

Designed to be a slightly more advanced product than other bridge cameras in Canon's line-up, along with fully automatic modes, you can also shoot in manual and semi-automatic modes (such as aperture priority and shutter priority) with the SX510HS. The ability to shoot in raw format is not offered, though.

The camera uses a Digic 4+ processor, and while this isn't Canon's most recent processor, it is claimed that it is 60% quicker at high ISOs and 30% quicker at focusing and processing than a standard Digic 4 processor, which is what the SX510 used.

Other interesting features include Hybrid Auto, which takes a two-second clip of video along with every picture (when shooting in auto mode) for a highlights video at the end of the day, and Creative Shot, which takes five images with a digital filter applied.

The camera's sensitivity runs from ISO 100-3200, and Zoom Framing Assist is also included – this helps when framing an image with the lens zoomed out to full telephoto zoom.

Build quality and handling

A quick glance at the SX520 may lead you to believe that the camera is a small DSLR, being reasonably similar in size to something like the Canon EOS 100D. It is likely to be the large zoom lens which causes this fairly large size.

It's much lighter than a DSLR, but still has enough weight to give it an air of quality.

There's a chunky grip which feels very comfortable in the hand, with a ridge on the grip for your finger to make it sit very nicely. On the top of the grip is a zoom switch for extending the lens – this makes it more similar in usability to a standard compact camera than a DSLR which would usually require you to zoom via the lens itself.

Canon SX520HS

Also found on this grip is a scrolling dial, similar to that you might find on a DSLR, which can be used for changing various settings depending on the shooting mode you're in. For instance, while in aperture priority, you'd use it to control aperture. Anyone who has been familiar with Canon's range of EOS DSLRs will feel very at home here.

You'll also find a mode dial, which allows you to quickly change between different exposure modes, such as manual, automatic or aperture priority. Look out also for the Hybrid Auto mode which will shoot a two-second clip of video before you press the shutter release to take a still image.

The button layout on the back of the camera is also very reminiscent of Canon's DSLR range. You'll find a four way navigational pad, with each of the buttons assigned to a different function. For instance, up accesses sensitivity (ISO), left accesses focusing mode, down accesses display options, and right accesses flash options.

Canon SX520HS

Just to the right of the thumb rest are two dedicated buttons for video recording and exposure compensation. Once you've pressed exposure compensation, you can then use the scrolling dial on top of the camera to adjust exposure. You'll need to press the exposure compensation button again to return to being able to change aperture or shutter speed with the dial.

To make quick changes to common settings, press a function button in the centre of the four-way navigational pad and you'll be presented with a host of different settings including aspect ratio, white balance and metering (depending on the shooting mode you're working in).

A dedicated button is also available for changing the drive mode. The other two buttons on the back are a playback button and a menu button. On the side of the lens is the frame assist button. Hold this button down while zooming into a subject and the lens will retract, allowing you to find the subject again. Once you've found it, release the button and the lens will return to its former zoom point.

Performance and verdict

As I've come to expect from Canon cameras, colours directly from the SX520HS are beautifully saturated, displaying a lovely level of warmth. This is especially true when you're photographing in good light.

If you want to make the colour in images stand out even further, you can adjust the colours under the MyColors setting. Here you'll find options such as Vivid and Black & White - the former is particularly useful for boosting the vibrancy in landscape images.

Detail is resolved reasonably well, especially for a sensor of its size. However, if you examine images at 100%, you'll find that there is some image smoothing to be seen. While the overall impression of detail is good if you view an image at normal printing or web sizes, you may be disappointed if you examine very closely.

As you move up the sensitivity scale, then detail is lost. This is one of the reasons that the camera is ideal for a holiday camera - it's great in good light but, as the light fades, a significant loss of detail occurs. I wouldn't stray above ISO 800 if you can help it - use ISO 1600 sparingly. Although ISO 3200 is available, this is best avoided in all but extreme circumstances. There's also a significant amount of noise visible at high sensitivities, another reason why it's best to stick to low settings.

Canon Powershot SX520HS

The camera's evaluative (all-purpose) metering system does a good job of producing accurate exposures in the majority of surroundings, perhaps requiring a nudge of exposure compensation in very high contrast shooting conditions.

Similarly, automatic white balance does an excellent job - producing accurate colours in most conditions. Under artificial and mixed lighting, it does well, but if you're shooting in one of the PASM modes, you can adjust to a more specific white balance if it's struggling with warm tones.

A number of different filter effects available - either via the Creative Shot mode or the dedicated filters mode. Creative Shot will randomly choose five different filters - some of these are great fun, and it's a shame you can't choose ones that you like to use all the time. The filters in the dedicated mode are starting to feel a little old fashioned now - Canon has used the same ones for quite some time, so it'd be nice to see some new introductions.

With such a large zoom range, it's of course important that this aspect of the camera performs well. The optical zoom at 42x is great, resolving a good amount of detail. ZoomPlus at 84x is also more than usable if you need to get even closer. The further digital zoom is probably best avoided unless you absolutely need to get even closer.

Verdict

There's a lot to like about the SX520, and in many ways it represents an excellent all-round camera for those looking for something to take on holiday or traveling with them.

Images are great in good light, but when shooting at high sensitivities, they could be better.

The range of creative modes is decent, but it would be nice to see a greater degree of flexibility and new additions here. The Hybrid Auto video is good fun when on holiday or at an event such as wedding, but it would be nice to have this feature available in other shooting modes rather than just automatic.

For those who want to take control of their images, full manual control is great - but the SX520 doesn't shoot in raw format, which some may find disappointing.

We liked

Images are bright and punchy directly from the camera, with a decent overall impression of detail. The flexibility of a large zoom is also particularly appealing.

We disliked

There's nothing hugely exciting about the SX520, such as inbuilt Wi-Fi or touchscreen.

Final verdict

The SX520 is another well-performing camera from Canon that will be likely appreciated by family and travelling photographers looking for something that will serve them well as an all-round device. It also represents great value for money, too.

Sample images

Canon Powershot SX520HS

2014年9月30日 星期二

Review: Updated: Canon PowerShot SX520 HS

Overview

Build quality and handling

Performance and verdict

Verdict

We liked

We disliked

Final verdict

Sample images

Zoom range

Creative mode

Digital filters

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2014年9月30日星期二