Canon PowerShot SX70 HS Review: A Solid Superzoom Camera

Last updated on 2022-09-21
By Yvonne

Canon PowerShot SX70HS Review: An Excellent Superzoom Camera. We tested the Canon Powershot SX70HS, which is a versatile superzoom camera with superior performance.

Canon PowerShot SX70

We like this

High quality build quality
Excellent ergonomics
Blazing fast autofocus
Great Canon color
Battery life is long-lasting

The Things We Hate

Image and video quality average
The screen collects dirt and can be difficult to clean.
This 4K video has been slightly cropped

Canon PowerShot SX70HS is a great general purpose camera that has few faults. It also offers true superzoom.

The Canon PowerShot SX70HS HS was purchased by us so that our expert reviewer could fully test it and evaluate it. Continue reading to see our complete product review.

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS, one of the rare cameras that does everything flawlessly with only a handful of minor exceptions.

The camera has a 65X zoom range of 21-1365mm (35mm equivalent), allowing you to take everything, from portraits and landscapes to closer-up shots of wildlife or sporting events. The camera is lightweight, sturdy, and ergonomic.

To see if the PowerShot SX70HS's performance is worth the premium, we put it to the test.

Design: Great to use

The SX70HS camera is small considering its zoom range, but it feels very light in the hands. It is made of durable, grippy plastic with a leather grip. It was never dropped, so we didn't worry about it. The exterior is made of grippy texturized plastic and has a generous leather grip.

The control layout is simple and intuitive, with the obvious care and attention paid to every detail. We loved the position of the power button which is located to the right of the mode selector dial. It is easy to reach, but it makes it nearly impossible for the user to forget or accidentally turn on/off the camera.

Every aspect of this control layout has been given careful attention.

The SX70HS includes mini HDMI, remote shutter, USB and microphone ports. However, for audio monitoring purposes, there is no hot shoe mount or headphone socket. We like the port covers, which are sturdy and simple to use. Also we appreciate the location of the microphone jack at 3.5mm.

Installation Process: Charge up, and you are ready to go

It was easy to setup the SX70 HS, and then start shooting. Upon initial startup, language, date, and time options will be displayed. It takes just a few hours for the battery to charge completely, and it can be charged externally with an included wall charger.

No worries

We had only scratched the surface on the SX70HS's impressive battery life even after prolonged use. The battery was not exhausted even after taking dozens of pictures and recording video clips. This means that you don't need to be concerned about the SX70 HS running low during a long trip.

Viewfinder and Display: Clear and saturated

The three-inch, 920,000-dot screen on the SX70 HS looks amazing—perhaps too amazing, as your photos will look better on it than on your phone or computer. It is well-articulating and sturdy. The only problem is how easy it picks up any smudges and how hard they are to get out. The articulating screen can be turned inward to prevent dirt, damage, and save battery life.

With 2,360,000 dots, the electronic viewfinder (EVF), is clear and bright. Although it isn't the most efficient EVF, it does the job. The sensor detects your eyes when they are pointed up (a feature that can be changed in the settings), so you won't need to search for the button to turn the EVF off.

Autofocus: Blazing fast

The SX70HS's autofocus was remarkably fast, consistent and responsive in low light situations. Focus tracking is flawless and it rarely loses focus on your subject.

The autofocus is really one of the standout features of the SX70 HS—it makes the camera ideal for anyone who will be photographing fast and erratic subjects. The SX70HS is a great camera for capturing family memories, sports events or wildlife.

Quality Photo: Excellent colors and average resolution

The warm and natural colors that Canon cameras create are a favorite of ours, and we love the SX70HS. The photos are vivid and the portraits it takes look great.

The SX70HS is able to capture excellent images in low light situations, and performs well across its zoom range from 21-1365mm. The SX70HS is not able to perform at higher ISOs, as it does with most other cameras that have small (1/2.3) and high resolution (20.3 MP), sensors. Although it can shoot up to ISO 3200 at maximum, we don't recommend that you exceed ISO 800.

Raw files can be rich in detail, while JPEG images have well-rendered graphics

The SX70HS HS has exceptional image stabilization. Dual stabilization technology is used to prevent unwanted movements and give you slower shutter speeds and smoother video. This allows you to avoid using high ISOs while still taking sharp pictures.

Strong macro capabilities, a minimal focusing distance of zero and strong macro photography abilities make the SX70HS HS a great choice. We found this to be very impressive and that the camera produces excellent close-up shots.

Raw files can be rich in detail and JPEGs are nicely rendered. However, JPEG images will show compression artifacts that are typical for point-and shoot cameras. Although it is not exceptional, the flash can be manually adjusted to increase and decrease brightness.

Mods: There are many options (but only a few that can be used)

You can access the top dial to change the mode settings of the SX70HS, which includes Auto, Program and Shutter Priority, (Tv), Aperture Priority, (Av), as well as Manual. You will also find two video modes. One that allows you to open up advanced features and the other that captures shorter video clips, followed by still photos. This second mode was quite unusual and did not yield good results.

The camera also has a Panorama mode that produces good results, but it's severely limited in its options— it can only take horizontal panoramas in a right-hand direction. A Sports mode and a Filter (black-and-white, sepia etc.) are also included.A Scene mode is also included.

Scene mode has Smooth Skin. This, like its name suggests, makes skin look more natural. It also offers Portrait, Portrait, Fireworks and an unorthodox Food mode, which supposedly enhances food's appearance.

The most versatile Scene mode, however, is the 'Handheld Night Scene. It takes several photos, combines them to create sharp photos in dark situations while keeping noise down. This setting works well.

The problem with these automatic modes is that they only produce JPEG images. RAW cannot be used. You can activate RAW image recording in Program mode, which is almost the same as Auto.

Video Quality: A mixed bag

Video is where the SX70HS HS falters a little. Although it's not a bad camera, the video quality isn't great. Although you can capture up to 4K resolution the camera must crop in order to record this resolution. We also found that the footage was not sharper than other cameras.

The SX70 HS has a bright side. It provides excellent Canon color rendering, so even if you haven't got sharp footage, your video will look decent.

The SX70HS HS shines when it comes to video quality in timelapse mode.

This is a great choice for Vloggers, despite the somewhat poor video quality. The flip-out screen allows you to see yourself as you film. It also includes an external microphone port, which is a great addition.

The SX70HS HS shines when it comes to video quality with the time-lapse mode. This mode can be accessed via the menu, with many customizable options. You can choose from three different subject-based settings if you are not familiar with time-lapse. You can record time-lapses at 4K resolution for truly exceptional quality.

Software: Many options

Canon Digital Photo Professional is included with the camera. This software allows for easy editing. Canon offers a variety of programs that can be downloaded for free on their website. Eos Movie Utility is a video editor. Although Canon's software may be basic in its capabilities, it is quite powerful for basic editing.

You can access the SX70HS via an accessible button at the top. The SX70HS has excellent Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Canon's App allows you to connect to the camera and remote control it. You also have the option to connect to a computer to wirelessly transfer images.

You can also connect your Canon printer to the camera and have the images printed directly from it. These features were useful, but also a pain since it takes so long to connect devices.

Price: Big brand, big price tag

The SX70HS MSRP is $549. However, you will often find it at $50-$100 lower. Considering the high-quality camera's overall quality, however, it is still a reasonable price.

Similar image quality can be found in superzooms that are cheaper, but it is possible to get the Canon name for more.

Competiton: Dominating from the Middle Ground

Canon didn't try to break any rules with the SX70 HS. It is safe, does all the right things and plays it easy. Panasonic and Nikon are its two main rivals in superzoom. They offer interesting alternatives that either cut costs or provide groundbreaking technological advancements.

For example, the Nikon COOLPIX P1000 has a remarkable 125x zoom range and a wide array of additional features. But it also comes with an MSRP of $999—twice what the Canon costs—and is not so sturdily built. Also, the SX70HS boasts better autofocus and image stabilization.

Nikon COOLPIXP1000 Review

While the Panasonic Lumix DCFZ80 has a MSRP of $399, it usually sells for under $300. It is priced at a fraction of the SX70HS's price, but it still has the same quality as the SX70 HS. It actually surpasses Canon in terms of image quality. It has a 60x zoom range, is cheaper to make and has a much shorter battery life.

Final Verdict

An extremely fun and versatile camera, even though it is a little expensive.

For a general-purpose point-and-shoot, the Canon Powershot SX70 HS is hard to beat. It has great build quality and lightning-fast autofocus, and despite a few minor flaws, it just about manages to justify its premium cost—if you can find it on sale, then it makes an even better buy.