Canon SX70 HS Reviews
Great magnification!
By Robert
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-09-06
The magnification is really great for this camera. I can photograph birds quite far away, just balancing the camera on something stable (fencepost, my knee, etc.). The tripod I bought really helps alot, though. The battery lasts a surprisingly long time also. My prior experience was a manual SLR and I'm finding that it takes awhile to learn all the digital camera features. I wish it could do closeup photos better (for insects & wildflowers). I also haven't figured out how to manually focus, or even if that is possible. The camera often focuses on something I want in the background. Overall I'm pleased with the Canon Powershot SX70.
Canon six 70
By James
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-08-21
Love the camera easy to handle and carry zoom is fantastic looking forward to Yellowstone
Good features for price
By skyflyrr
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-08-19
Have had around two months. All good though wish it was better in low light, but I knew this going in.
It's OK
By John
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-08-15
For background, I am experienced with the 5D Mk4, 7D Mk2, G5X Mk2 and all their predecessors. Been a photographer for over 50 years. I bought the SX70 to have a light camera with some telephoto reach. Tired of lugging around 25 pounds of camera bodies and lenses. Will use it to augment the G5X Mk2 when needed.
The controls are just like any other Canon. Nothing remarkable. I wish there were a wheel for exposure compensation, but it is no big deal. There are two zoom buttons. One in the normal place near the shutter and another on the side of the lens. I don't use the latter because it is easier to zoom with my trigger finger. The fully articulating screen is nice. I usually use the viewfinder because it is just more efficient for me. In bright lighting conditions, the screen is useless, but that is true of any other camera with a screen.
As far as autofocus is concerned, it seems a little spotty sometimes. Personally, I don't trust the tracking AF because it seems to be easily confused. It is much better to use servo AF with other than tracking AF. This is not a camera that is good for any kind of action. I like to photograph airplanes. Getting a decent shot of an airplane moving rapidly laterally is impossible.
As far as image quality goes it is not bad. It is not great either. With that tiny 20 Mp sensor (crop factor 5.64) you know there are necessary compromises. Noise is a minor issue. White balance control seems pretty good. At the end of the day I find myself firing up Topaz quite a bit. The original images are a touch noisy and quite soft. In the end I get a decent image.
I considered the Nikon P1000 as well. Although it has a 2000mm equivalent zoom, it is bigger and twice as heavy (608g vs 1415g). It just didn't seem worth it for the extra telephoto reach and weight.
The SX70 does a reasonable job under favorable conditions. The long end is hard to manage even though it has an optical IS system, I have a hard time using it unsupported. It works well on a tripod at 1365mm equivalent. It pays to use self timer so you can get your grubby paws off the camera for a while before the shutter trips.
Bottom line, I am happy that I bought it. I just have to keep in mind the limitations and deal with them while shooting. I have been using it for five months now and starting to get the hang of it. Nothing beats lots of practice.
Camera is great, but B&H Customer Service was exceptional.
By Linda
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-08-09
My wife purchased a mirrorless camera for my birthday. It did not meet my expectations for long range photos, so I talked with the B&H staff and ordered another camera a DSLR with two lenses. After testing it, I was still not satisfied with how long it took me to focus shots. I again called B&H staff and realized that I would be much happier with a Cannon Power Shot SX70. I had a Cannon SX50 and already knew nearly all the functions. As an outdoorsman, who is in the elements and takes quite a few fast action photos I realized that I was not ready to use the more professional photographer equipment. B&H staff coached me through the entire process and with high quality customer service. I returned the first two cameras and now have the one I need. A special thanks to the staff at B&H.
New Camera
By John
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-08-09
Fantastic camera. Better than I even expected. And, as, usual, the sales person was great!!!
Great Camera, nice crisp, clear shots, even close up.
By superdesigngirl
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-09-01
Love it. Great Camera. Gets really close up shots and it's crisp and clear. Better than lugging around all my big lenses. So much fun! I'm amazed at how close you can zoom in and it has a great depth of field. I've taken it to baseball games and sitting up in the nose bleeds getting great shots. People sitting around me asked where did I get that camera? It's great. :) The one drawback is low battery life. I keep at least 3 fully charged batteries with me if I'm going to be shooting all afternoon. They maybe last about 90 minutes especially if shooting video, even less.
Negative Reviews don't factor in telephoto physics
By John
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-08-31
This is a great camera despite some of the negative Reviews. Most center on blurry photos, photos not as sharp as DSLR's, and battery life.
First, I would venture to guess that the blurry photos are the result of not using a tripod for telephoto focal lengths. Image stabilization can only compensate so much. Use a tripod and better photos will result.
Second, in order to keep the lens size manageable, the sensor size can only be so large. Even though the number of pixels is comparable or larger than full-frame or APS-C cameras, the size of the pixel doesn't gather as much light. This means a larger aperture or slower shutter speed. Again, it's physics.
Third, the battery drain moving a large zoom in and out coupled with a LCD viewfinder is going to eat batteries. Our friend physics strikes again.
All of these are things that Nikon, Lumix, and Fuji bridge cameras have. (Those competing bridge cameras are also excellent, especially the Nikon P900.)
