The most powerful optical zoom among allcompact cameras at the time of its release in 2012, had a model Canon Powershot SX50 HS. Reviews of professionals indicate that the device has not lost its popularity and can boast a number of characteristics that make it relevant in our days. In more detail about this camera the speech in this article will go.
general description
Its appearance is a bit like a camera.mirror type. The various elements of the body clearly stand out due to assembly lines and texture materials. Build quality is high. To create the case, the developers used mainly metal and high-strength plastic. Each individual element is well built and secured by bolts. While working with the device, the driving parts do not dangle and work very smoothly.
Just like many similar devices,the device has a rather large body. Its weight together with the battery is about 600 grams. Compared with the previous modification (SX40), the novelty received a flash, more strongly protruding from the design. The color scheme is dominated by black, so the model is often called the "Canon Powershot SX50 HS Black camera". To the right of the lens, the developers installed a lamp to illuminate the auto focus, while to the left a protruding handle. Also in the front there are two buttons designed to activate the tracking auto focus and transfer the lens to wide-angle mode from any position.
In the upper part there is a so-calledShoe that expands the capabilities of the device associated with the connection of external flashes. To the left of it is the key for turning on the built-in flash, behind it is the on / off button and a dial for changing modes, and to the right is the shutter with a wheel for zoom control.
On the back of the Canon Powershot SX50 HS exceptscreen 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 he wishes. On the right, the Japanese engineers installed a play start button and a navigation joystick that can work in four directions. Below are two identical buttons, they serve to enable the on-screen menu and display settings with the viewfinder.
On the right side of the case under a special caphidden ports AV and HDMI, as well as a connector for the remote control. On the left side of the developers put the speaker, and on the bottom - the socket for installing the device on the stand. It should be noted that in the case of using a tripod, access to a removable memory card is blocked. In this regard, to replace it, you must first unscrew the camera.
Display and viewfinder
On the back side is located2.8-inch liquid crystal display equipped with a swivel mechanism. Its resolution is 461 thousand pixels. Such parameters can be called quite decent, because they provide a clear image when previewing frames. By clicking on a special button, the user can select one of two options for displaying them (they differ in the number of images). On the other hand, many users of the Canon Powershot SX50 HS note that a higher-quality screen could be installed on such a high-end device.
In addition to the main display in the deviceA pretty high quality electronic viewfinder is provided. Even for most experts, the fact that the developers have not installed a separate button for direct switching between them remains unclear. In this regard, given the presence of the main screen rotation function, many camera owners usually do not use it. As for the menu of the viewfinder, it should be called clear and simple in comparison with similar models from competing companies.
Ergonomics
Dimensions of the device do not allow to hide it inpocket or small female handbag. At the same time, a heavy body becomes an advantage when creating sharp images at the maximum approximation. In general, we can say that the Canon Powershot SX50 HS digital camera boasts quite good ergonomics. The successful design of the servos, responsible for the change in focal length lens, makes its movement very quiet. Particularly relevant is the nuance in the implementation of the video, because the sound in the video is not muffled by extraneous noise.
Due to the special lug on the handleThe index finger is placed very comfortable. The display has bipolar angles, and therefore shooting in non-standard situations is greatly simplified. Compared with the previous modification, the developers have expanded the Canon Powershot SX50 HS user interface. Reviews of the owners of the model in most cases characterize it as quite smooth and comfortable for work. As for the main controls of the device, most of them are precisely in those places where users would like to see them.
Main characteristics
DIGIC-5 processor is the heart of the Canon modelPowershot SX50 HS. The characteristics of this device allow you to create serial images at speeds up to 13 frames per second. Compared to its previous modification (DIGIC-4), the processor copes with noise 75% more efficiently. In other words, subject to a long focus, you can turn off the flash and slightly raise the ISO value. In this case, the photos will also be of high quality, and there will be no noise on them. The system of optical stabilization at the same time independently determines the optimal mode of operation. Anyway, the user, if desired, can manually select one of the seven suitable work options for him.
Matrix
Canon Powershot SX50 HS is equipped with12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor with backlight technology. This gives certain advantages when creating images in conditions of not the best lighting. In particular, it opens up to the user a sensitivity range, the ISO value of which is in the range from 100 to 6400. Optics provides an opportunity to carry out a 50-fold approximation of the objects being shot. Moreover, the device software provides for the possibility of a fourfold digital approximation.
На первый взгляд может показаться, что двенадцати megapixels for a modern camera will not be enough. Whatever it was, experts say that the size of each individual point increased slightly due to the low resolution. Thus, in the images compared with the previous modification of the camera, the noise level in the frame has decreased.
The largest image size is 4000 x 3000pixels In other words, photos taken with the Canon Powershot SX50 HS without any loss of quality can be printed in 34 x 25 centimeters.
Modes of operation
At the top of the camera is a wheel forchoice of modes of its work. In total, it has twelve positions. In particular, it provides almost everything that is necessary not only for an ordinary user, but also for a professional: from standard options for selecting shutter speed or aperture priority, ending with an automatic mode that boasts an extended dynamic range and video capability.
Control
As with all other models from thisCanon Powershot SX50 HS’s manufacturing company is right-handed. 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 keys for direct video shooting, a timer, selecting an ISO, changing the focus mode, and also a standard joystick with a wheel consisting of five positions. It is used to navigate the menu. In all other respects, the device is very typical for the Canon brand.
Work speed
Through the use of a good processorthe time required to turn on the camera does not exceed two seconds. Given the fact that massive optics is installed here, this indicator can be called decent. It takes a maximum of four seconds to change the focal length from the smallest to the largest value. This indicator worsens significantly when recording video clips (up to 10 seconds).
Quality and image formats
The device is able to create images in formatsJPG and RAW. This feature allows it to look more preferable in comparison with SLR cameras. Captured videos and snapshots can be watched on a large TV just by connecting a Canon Powershot SX50 HS camera to it. Photos differ in quality, which can be described as above average. This is primarily due to the low resolution of the sensor and the powerful processing processor.
Due to the automatic balance functionThe white color mode in the foreground and background is defined very correctly. Model algorithms 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. The sharpness begins to drop significantly if its value reaches the mark of 3200. 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.
High level of detail in complex areasprovided by the dynamic range correction function. In fairness, it should be noted that this feature is only available when shooting in JPG format. The level of chromatic aberrations can be called quite acceptable. However, in very contrasting conditions, purple and green edging may appear on the photographs.
In macro mode, even at the minimum distancelens from the object being removed, the photos are sharp. Anyway, certain changes can be made by the optical system itself. With a minimum focal length for frames, a slight barrel distortion is characteristic, and at a maximum, light concave distortion is typical.
Flash
Canon Powershot SX50 HS Blackequipped with a standard flash that opens. In this regard, before using it, you must 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 operation, it is in the range from 0.5 to 5.5 meters.
According to reviews of many ownersmodels, indoors, it works quite well. For the resulting images are not typical as exposure errors, and the red-eye effect. With active night photography mode, shutter speed can be set for up to 15 seconds. Practice shows that this is quite enough in most situations. Under conditions of poor lighting or long focus, the image stabilization system helps a lot.
Video shooting
Canon Powershot SX50 HS Capablecreate HD 1080p videos with a frequency 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 stereo sound. The device allows scaling directly during video creation. If necessary, the user can record videos in Full HD. Like many other similar modern devices, the model boasts the presence of a number of artistic filters.
Autonomy
A good indicator of battery life is consideredOne of the positive characteristics that the Canon Powershot SX50 HS camera boasts. Reviews of the device owners indicate that the 920 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is used here, is enough to create an average of 315 photos.
Overall Impression
Summing up, it should be noted that the modelpositioned by the manufacturer as a flagship device in the zoom segment. Its main drawback is considered to be a rather high cost, which in the domestic equipment shops is about 510 US dollars. However, this minus is typical for most Canon models.
The quality of the photographs can beclassified as above average. The main reason for choosing in favor of this camera is the possibility of a 50-fold approximation of the objects being shot. On the other hand, for the same reason, many potential buyers are abandoning the idea of purchasing a Canon Powershot SX50 HS camera. Feedback from experts suggests that it is not so easy to deal with it without good practice. Plus, this feature leads to a significant increase in the cost of the model, while situations in which such a zoom could be useful do not happen every day. Therefore, before purchasing this model, professionals recommend testing it first in the store, and only then make a final decision.