Canon PowerShot SX420 Review: 42x Optical Zoom in a Compact Camera

Last updated on 2022-09-23
By Yvonne

Canon PowerShot SX420 Review - 42x Optical Zoom In A Compact CameraThe Canon PowerShot SX420 is somewhere in between a DSLR and compact camera. It features a huge 42x optical zoom range, built-in wireless connectivity and the ability to transfer images directly to your smartphone.

Canon PowerShot SX420 IS

We like this

Impressive zoom range
Connectivity wireless

The Things We Hate

Subpar image quality
Video only 720p
Manual options are limited
Interface for menus that are not intuitive
No touchscreen display

Canon PowerShot SX420 IS IS is an excellent superzoom camera. You won't be able to capture long distance shots at night with the 40x optical zoom. Instead, it's best to use your phone for stills and videos.

The Canon PowerShot SX420 was purchased by us so that our expert reviewer could fully test it and evaluate it. Continue reading to see our complete product review.

Although smartphones are more advanced than ever in photography, optical zoom is still a weak point. A dedicated camera is the best choice for those times where a 5x-10x zoom will not suffice. The Canon PowerShot SX420 is a bridge camera that can hold a 42x optical zoom lens.

Related Reading: TOOGE Pet Camera Review: The Best Budget Pet Camera

Utilitarian

In terms of design, the PowerShot SX420 IS IS is quite standard. This is especially true for Canon's range of cameras. The SX420 IS is available in black. It features contoured grips for easier handling, and an outward-facing lens housing which stands out more than standard point-and shooters. This is why the PowerShot SX420 is considered a 'bridge' camera—a compact camera feature-wise, but similar in design to a DSLR with an attached lens.

Canon PowerShot SX420 has a 20MP sensor and Canon Digic 4+ to support it.

The overall design of the camera is not too remarkable. The design is almost identical to the PowerShot SX410IS predecessor and it looks very similar to bridge cameras available. Although we would have liked to see the touchscreen at the back of the camera (the buttons are too small), they are extremely rare for compact cameras this affordable.

Installation: It's easy

As far as setup goes, the Canon PowerShot SX420 camera is relatively straightforward. It's easy to set the date and put the battery in. You can set the date or skip it. Then, you just need to change the mode to which you wish to take the photos.

Quality of the Photo: Excellent during daylight, but dreadful after dark

Canon PowerShot SX420 has a 20MP sensor and Canon Digic 4+ to support it.

The Canon PowerShot SX420 can take stills well in bright environments. It also has a good dynamic range and produces few artifacts. Although there is some color distortion and chromatic aberration around brighter objects at longer focal lengths than the SX420, other than that, image quality is good.

Low-light conditions are where the Canon PowerShot is most vulnerable. The lens' small sensor and narrow aperture allow for poor image quality in low light conditions. When ISO increases, shadows and highlights become muddy. The dynamic range drops dramatically. The problem of noise is also a concern, and it starts to manifest at ISO 400. Although noise is no longer a problem, basic photo editing software now has noise-reduction capabilities. However, this can blur the finer details.

Quality of Videos: Do not plan to shoot in the dark

Canon PowerShot SX420 records 720p video at 25 frames per seconds. The H.264 video is recorded in MPEG-4 with mono audio via the built-in microphone. The video capabilities of PowerShot SX420, like the stills, are good in bright environments but can be severely affected by low light.

The PowerShot SX420 IS has four image stabilization modes: Dynamic Image Stabilization, Powered IS and Macro (Hybrid), which all work together to minimize shake and motion in video shots. Although there is some movement when the image stabilization mode is turned on, this is an option that is worth having if you do not want to be concerned about post-production stabilization.

Software: A great mobile app to make easy transfers

The integrated Wi-Fi connectivity and Bluetooth connectivity are two of the best features of PowerShot SX420IS. The Canon Camera Connect mobile app can pair with the SX420IS to quickly transfer photos and videos from your camera's memory cards.

The video capabilities of PowerShot SX420, like the stills, are good in bright environments but can be severely affected in dimly lit areas.

The app from Canon isn’t great, but it does the job. The 802.11b/g/n Wi Fi connectivity on the SX420 IS made transfers quick and reliable. It also stayed stable even while moving from one location to another taking photos.

Prices: All about Action Button

Canon PowerShot SX420IS retails at $229. This is a fair price for a bridge-style entry-level camera. The price is comparable to the other cameras, but it feels higher due to the old sensor and processor. The value of this camera will depend on the amount you require a large optical zoom within a small chassis.

Canon PowerShot SX420 IS vs. Nikon B500

In terms of features and aesthetics, the Nikon B500 is the closest rival to the Canon SX420 IS. With a 3-foot screen at the back of the camera, the Nikon B500 is almost identical to the Canon SX420 IS.

The 1/2.3 inch sensors of both cameras are identical, with the Nikon B500 offering 16-megapixels and the Canon PowerShot SX420IS offering 20-megapixels. The B500 can capture ISO 3200 at maximum, while the SX420 IS is limited to ISO 1600. Also, the B500 has an even faster continuous burst mode that can capture 7.4 frames per seconds. This is a fast pace when compared with the SX420 IS's 0.5 frames/second.

The optics of the cameras are very similar. While the B500 has a focal length range from 23 to 900mm (full frame equivalent), the SX420 IS offers a focal length range between 24-1008mm and 23-900mm. With a faster aperture and wider focal length, the B500 wins out over the SX420 IS' maximum aperture of f/3.5.

Video is where the B500 wins with its 1080p Full-HD recording. This is a significant improvement on the SX420 IS's 720p.

Final Verdict

All you need is the (40x zoom).

We found the Canon PowerShot SX420 to be an excellent low-end bridge camera. However, it did not overwhelm us. The camera was excellent in bright light. However, it failed to perform well when the sun set or the lighting conditions were poor. The SX420 can be a great option if that's what you are most interested in. However, if your primary goal is to capture the best zoom range, it may not be worth the cost. If you only need a smartphone for occasional trips or family events, then you should stick with your iPhone.