In the modern world, it is difficult to imagine an event without photographs that capture sincere smiles and genuine emotions. Whether it's a trip, an outing, or just hanging out at home, you always need a camera. It is especially important that it be ergonomic and easy to carry, but today most people for some reason run headlong for huge cameras, naively believing that the larger the device, the better photographs can be taken with it. This is by no means true: ultra-large sizes are needed for professional cameras, but not for household ones. And then you will see this for yourself using the example of our TOP 3 best Canon PowerShot cameras 2017.

Camera Canon PowerShot SX430 IS

Canon cameras have long been market leaders and their PowerShot line is proof of this. Small and remote - this is how you can briefly describe the SX430.

1. Appearance. The Canon PowerShot SX430 IS camera in the younger version, as in the older one, retains its usual, recognizable, and at the same time stylish appearance. It’s quite difficult to describe the design of such a camera, because it’s easier to see everything in the picture - it’s a boring design, black color and old Canon shapes, nothing new. Among the interface features, there is a stylish zoom ring next to the on/off button on the top edge of the part of the camera that you clasp with your hand when shooting. Otherwise, all the buttons are almost standard and are located the same, with the exception of the Wi-Fi activation button on the front panel. The dimensions of the device are 104.4x69.1x85.1 mm and weighs 323 grams with battery and memory card. This is the first advantage of this model - its compactness. Of course, not to the extent that the device fits in a pants pocket, but the Canon PowerShot SX430 IS certainly won’t take up much space in a bag or backpack. Additionally, it is worth noting that the operating temperature is in the range of 0–40 degrees, and humidity is from 10 to 90%.
2. Possibilities. The next plus for which this class of cameras is valued is the super-zoom. In this model, its multiplicity is 45X. Yes, yes, that’s right, this means that when shooting you can reduce the distance to the object by 45 times without virtually losing quality. But that's not all, the Canon Powershot CX430 IS camera has a 20-megapixel sensor that allows you to take excellent photos both day and night. The internal interface of the camera is intuitive and equipped with very wide settings, including the SmartAuto mode, which will be discussed later. A nice bonus is support for NFC and Wi-Fi, which greatly simplifies file transfer and makes the process faster and “smarter.” In the era of smart technology, perhaps any device should be equipped with the ability to wirelessly transfer data or pair with other devices, and Canon meets the requirements here. The connection is always stable, file exchange is fast - adding wireless charging and a cable connector doesn’t seem to be needed at all. Maybe this is the future of the camera industry.
3. Display. The Canon PowerShot SX430 IS is equipped with a 3-inch TFT LCD screen. Its diagonal is 7.5 cm. Brightness is adjusted at five levels. Additionally, there is a Quick-bright function.
4. Photos. As befits most cameras, video capabilities are weak. The Canon PowerShot SX430 IS can only record videos in resolutions up to 720p, which won’t surprise anyone in 2017. But the photography capabilities are at an excellent level. Of course, regarding the price and class of the device. Photos during the day turn out very natural, high-quality detail is visible, and in good lighting there is no noise. At night the device behaves better than you might expect. Apparently, this is due to the matrix or pixel sizes, but the manufacturer prefers to keep silent about the secret of night photographs. They monitor the minimum amount of noise. The device runs on a DIGIC 4+ processor. The aperture is f/3.5–f/6.8, and the focal length ranges from 4.3 to 193.5 mm. Additionally, intelligent and improved dynamic image stabilization are provided.
5. SmartAuto mode. This is a unique development from Canon that makes their cameras even smarter and allows you to enjoy modern technology in the literal sense of the expression. In practice, the mode consists of completely “giving the steering wheel” to the device without interfering with the plots of its activity, of which there are as many as 32. It is impossible to describe them all briefly, since each gives the user ample opportunities and high-quality photos, but we can show all the delights of this mode on example of several stories. There is a facial recognition function here - you enter the appearance of a person’s face with his name once, and in all subsequent frames the camera will recognize him and immediately sign his name, as if signaling that they are familiar. But this is only the beginning, it is much more interesting how this plot works with children. If you have a child's face in mind, the Canon PowerShot Sx430 understands this and then, when taking a photo, automatically makes the process of creating that photo as tailored as possible to the situation. Specifically, it removes all sorts of noise from autofocus, photo sound, flash, and individually adjusts the exposure in automatic mode - that is, it does everything to ensure that your baby’s photo turns out to be of the highest quality. Don't forget that the device does not go beyond the most affordable line of Canon devices.
6. Autonomy and delivery set. The Canon PowerShot Sx430 IS comes with the WS-DC12 Wrist Strap, NB-11LH Rechargeable Battery, CB-2LFE Charger, Power Cord for Charging and Transferring Files, Lens Cap and User's Manual. On one charge, the device can shoot about 195 frames or 260 in eco mode. Many people don’t understand why a camera needs NFC support and may consider it an attractive but useless feature. However, the Kenon company does not do anything for nothing, and this particular function is needed to interface with Connect Station to optimize the storage and transmission of media content.

The price of Canon PowerShot Sx430 IS in Russia is 16,000 rubles. Unpacking the device in the video below:

Camera Canon PowerShot SX730 HS

1. Appearance. This model from Canon is already further than the previous one, it has moved away from the appearance of SLR cameras and is similar to a classic camera. Whether this is good or bad is up to you to decide; in fact, the filling does not suffer from this in any way. The Canon Powershot ES X730 XC camera has a glossy, pleasant-to-touch, rectangular plastic body with smoothed and sometimes sharp curves, and a protruding impressive lens. The dimensions of the device are 110.1x63.8x39.9 mm and weighs 300 grams. Here the main controls, namely the on/off button, the zoom ring and mode selection are placed on the top end. In addition to the screen, the front panel contains buttons for controlling the camera interface. One of the unique features is that the camera is equipped with a flash that comes out from the top end. This is unusual compared to similar cameras from other manufacturers. The quality and expediency of use, of course, remains on the conscience of the developer, but this feature looks really beautiful and futuristic. Another feature is the screen, which does not sit in one place - the user has the opportunity to “open” it by lifting it up and thus creating a selfie camera. It is not clear what the manufacturer’s idea was, but apparently, now we will increasingly see people in parks trying to take a selfie with a camera.
2. Possibilities. This compact body houses a 20.3 megapixel CMOS wide-angle sensor with 40x zoom capability. The previous model allowed for greater zoom, but here the optical zoom has been reduced in order to save the potential for increasing the quality of photos. The device runs on a DIGIC 6 processor with iSAP technology. In addition to Wi-Fi pairing and NFC, the Canon PowerShot Sx730 HS camera supports Bluetooth, thanks to which there is a continuous connection with your smartphone while shooting, opening up even more possibilities. Also, it is worth noting that here, like the previous model, there is support for the ZoomPlus function, which allows you to double the zoom ratio. Among the unique features of this model, it is worth highlighting the support for SmartAuto mode with 58 scenes, in contrast to the previous model, where there were only 32. Thanks to wireless modules, the camera can be used in conjunction with various accessories, such as Connect Station, which was described above, or various Canon printers for fast photo printing.
3. Photos. The average user is not interested in detailed technical specifications, because to understand them, you need to spend a lot of time studying the topic. What is much more interesting in the matter of choosing a camera is its practical application, namely, how it takes pictures. And here it should be noted that the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS camera is, if not head and shoulders above its younger brother SX430, then at least takes better photographs. This is mainly due to a different lens matrix and internal photo creation algorithms. The older model is the older one, what can I say here. The focal length ranges from 4.3 to 172 mm, and the aperture ratio is f/3.3–f/6.9. Daytime shots can be taken at a maximum resolution of 5184x3888 pixels - impressive for those unfamiliar with the world of photography. In fact, the indicator is quite ordinary, but as befits such devices, the detail of the images is at a very high level, there is no noise in daytime photos, the macro mode also works very well and, what is more interesting, the SmartAuto mode is better optimized in this model. In addition to more scenes, it works faster and the focus is more active. This allows you to fully enjoy the camera. Video is recorded in Full HD - 1920x1080 It should be noted that the previous model also did not have any serious shortcomings, but everything works slower and as if with effort, but here this problem has been completely eliminated.
4. Display and autonomy. The Canon PowerShot SX730 HS is equipped with a rotating TFT LCD display. Its diagonal is 3 inches (7.5 cm). Brightness can be adjusted manually or increased quickly using the Quick-bright function. Autonomous operation is provided by a lithium-ion battery NB-13L. On one charge, the user can take almost 250 pictures, and if you turn on eco mode, then as many as 355.

The Canon PowerShot SX730 HS is a good camera model that can serve as either the first device of this class or replace an outdated previous gadget.

The price of Canon PowerShot Sx730 HS in Russia is 24,000 rubles.

Camera Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

1. Appearance The Canon Powershot J9 X Mark 2 creates a very skeptical first impression due to its small size. They measure 98x31.3x57.9 mm, and the camera weighs 206 grams including battery and memory card. Unlike the first camera in our TOP, this model shows its class affiliation not only with its compact size, but also with its appearance. The rectangular shape is housed in a beautiful gray plastic case with brown inserts. This gives the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II an authenticity and some “old school” feel that will appeal to many photographers. Unfortunately, modern manufacturers have moved far from it.
2. Possibilities. The Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II is equipped with a 20.1-megapixel high-aperture CMOS sensor with 1.0 type back illumination. Like previous camera models from Canon, the Mark II supports unique IS technology, which allows you to take clear and detailed images in all weather conditions and lighting conditions. In addition, the device is equipped with Wi-fi, Bluetooth and NFC. The lens allows you to achieve only three times optical zoom, which is not very encouraging. True, digital comes to the rescue, giving a 12X approximation in combination. Here, like the previous model, there is a flash, stylishly hidden at the top end of the device. Of course, the manufacturer is modestly silent about the advisability of its use. The device runs on a DIGIC 7 processor. The aperture ratio is f/2.0–f/4.9.
3. Photos. Photos taken with the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II will be of slightly lower quality than with the previous 2 models reviewed. This is not noticeable when shooting during the day or in Auto mode, but it becomes clear if the camera is used by a person who requires a little more from the device than a couple of daytime photos in Auto mode. This is where the very compactness that we praised at the beginning comes into play. In fact, these 2 parameters cancel each other out and cannot simultaneously be at the optimal level. The maximum video resolution is Full HD at 60 frames per second, which is a good indicator. The photo, respectively, is 5472x3648 pixels. These media options give the user a lot of post-processing options, considering it's just a camera.
4. Autonomy and display. The Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II camera is equipped with a 3-inch diagonal LCD touch screen. Like previous models, the brightness is adjustable and there is a Quick-bright function. An additional option for night playback is available - Night Display. The entire control panel is covered with reinforced glass. Autonomous operation is ensured by a lithium-ion battery NB-13L. From one charge the user can take up to 235 photos

Far from being large in size and positioned as a professional device, the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II can still deliver quality images.

As you can see, the range of available cameras, even from one manufacturer, is quite extensive. And today we were convinced of this by the example of Kenon. There are both expensive and cheap, both small and large, with a huge range of capabilities and those with a minimum of modes available. In any case, you need to approach the choice of any device, and especially such as a camera, thoroughly and consider several options at once. From today's TOP 3 best Canon PowerShot 2017 cameras, there is plenty to choose from.

As for working with different shooting modes, everything is not so bad here either. Using the ring switch, you can select the desired program without being distracted from the lens. The overall picture is somewhat clouded by the fact that manual adjustment is quite inconvenient to do on the fly, which is due to some inconvenience of the scroll wheel. The camera does a very good job of capturing complex landscapes with people in them. But macro photography is of average quality, despite the fact that the Super Macro option has appeared in the menu. However, manual adjustment can only be used for non-standard shooting.

The built-in flash “pops out” very effectively

The built-in programs are sufficient in most cases. It is possible to record in RAW format, which in this camera uses lossless compression and takes up relatively little space: about 7 MB. A picture recorded in JPEG format weighs on average 2.5-4 MB. I was pleased with the recording speed: in the case of JPEG, there is no delay at all. RAW takes a little longer to record (4 to 10 seconds). If you use a Memory Stick memory card with the Sony DSC-F828, then Canon clearly wins in terms of recording speed. In the case of Compact Flash, the figures are approximately equal. Perhaps the biggest drawback of the Canon camera is its battery life. In maximum power consumption mode (LCD and flash on), the battery lasts for 100-120 frames (working time is about an hour and a half), which, of course, is very short.

Conclusion

While the boundaries between professional and amateur photography are very arbitrary, it is worth saying that the professionalism of a camera primarily depends not on the number of megapixels, but on the set of functions and resource. We can easily talk about a professional 4-megapixel camera, and at the same time about an amateur 5-megapixel camera. From this point of view, PowerShot Pro1 is still an amateur device. Despite the fact that the camera has the ability to manually control the shooting process, supports the RAW format, and the ability to work with professional flashes, its quality is still quite far from professional. Even the appearance suggests that this is a camera for amateurs who want high quality photos. Thanks to one of the main advantages of the camera and Canon's special pride - the professional L series lens, the pictures come out quite good.

The average price in Russia is 28,000 rubles.

Articles on the topic

• Review of the Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera Over the past few years, Canon has continued to produce bulky DSLR cameras while competitors have been busy selling mirrorless cameras. As it turned out, all this time Canon did not waste time, but spent a long time and meticulously preparing its absolutely...
• Nikon Z7 full-frame mirrorless camera review This fall, Nikon introduced two full-frame mirrorless cameras - Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7. In the two months since their release, they have gathered a lot of buzz around them. We hastened to test the new product to tell readers...
• Nikon lens line A DSLR camera cannot exist on its own - it needs a lens. Moreover, it cannot be anyhow - only high-quality lenses reveal all the capabilities of the camera. This is why Nikon devotes a lot of...
• Nikon D7500 DSLR camera review The D7500 is not an upgraded version of the D7200, but rather a budget variant of the D500, Nikon's professional-grade APS-C camera. Essentially, the D7500 uses the same sensor and image processor found in the D500. So Nikon...
• Nikon Keymission 360 camera review A new trend has emerged in photo and video shooting - cameras with a 360-degree viewing angle. Samsung Gear 360, LG 360 Cam, GoPro Omni... and now Nikon Keymission 360. The famous manufacturer of excellent cameras has literally burst onto the...
• Review of the Nikon D3400 camera Nikon D3xxx is a family of entry-level SLR cameras from the world famous Japanese manufacturer. The D3400 is a new product that, in terms of its capabilities, has practically caught up with the more advanced Nikon cameras of previous years.
• First look at the Sony Alpha a99 Mark II camera. Back to the Future? Sony's ten years of presence in the interchangeable lens camera market is a clear example of a success story. Starting with an exciting collaboration with an industry veteran, the company quickly found the right path, becoming a recognized leader...
• Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera review: a very mature solution The Canon EOS 5D line of full-frame cameras has been deservedly popular and successful throughout the years of its existence. The first EOS 5D was loved for the very opportunity to buy a “full frame” for reasonable money, on the second EOS...
• Sony RX100M4 camera: choice of video blogger The “advanced point-and-shoot” subtype of camera is not very popular on the market. But one camera, despite everything, sells better than the rest and is respected not only among amateurs, but even among photographers. Secret of success...

Until recently, the PowerShot G series was famous for its designers’ extremely serious approach to solving the hardware interface. In their desire to make a truly convenient and useful auxiliary tool for a professional photographer with a SLR camera, they poured a maximum of buttons, wheels and multi-level selectors onto the body of the devices.

Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II

13.1 MP 24-120 mm 5x 3” 35,100 rubles.

Like many devices with large sensors and built-in optics, the PowerShot G1 X Mark II is classified as a compact device only on a formal basis. In terms of dimensions, weight, ergonomics, and functional equipment, it is much more similar to a “system” camera. In many ways, these dimensions are determined by the format of the light receiver. With dimensions of 18.7 x 14.0 mm, it differs only slightly from APS-C format sensors. To illuminate it completely, a fairly large optics is required, located at a considerable distance from its surface. If we compare the G1 X Mark II with other compacts in our selection of APS-C format and larger in total dimensions, it turns out that Canon is larger than all of them, even the full-frame Sony Cyber-shot. But you need to take into account that more “miniature” competitors are equipped with either fixed optics or low-power zooms. While the five-fold zoom lens, of course, provides the photographer with much greater freedom in choosing framing, magnification and perspective.

Until recently, the PowerShot G series was famous for its designers’ extremely serious approach to solving the hardware interface. In their desire to make a truly convenient and useful auxiliary tool for a professional photographer with a SLR camera, they poured a maximum of buttons, wheels and multi-level selectors onto the body of the devices. In the G1 X Mark II, the concept was revised, everything unnecessary was removed from the top panel, and at the same time cutting off a certain number of millimeters from the dimensions of its predecessor. Two multifunctional rings on the lens take on the function of changing various parameters depending on the current mode. Without taking up useful space on the body, they perfectly perform the tasks assigned to them.

Following the example of a number of other manufacturers, Canon chose to make the viewfinder an option on the G1X Mark II. The EVF-DC1 electronic eyepiece with 2.36 million dots and a 90-degree upward rotation mechanism can be purchased separately and installed in the camera’s hot shoe. It, like all similar solutions, is not cheap, but it is much better in quality and much more useful than the optical eye of previous models. And it doesn’t take up space in the case.

The camera is tightly integrated into the Canon EOS system. The user can expand the capabilities of the camera by installing proprietary Speedlites or transmitters and use the same remote controls as on DSLRs via the E3 port. To protect the optics from reflections and glare, an optional hood is offered, and a variety of filters can be screwed onto the lens via an adapter with a 58 mm thread.

The creative toolkit is also designed for experienced photographers who understand what they want to get in a photo and by what means it can be done. Such buyers will appreciate the camera's specialized features, such as support for synchronization with external flashes at fast shutter speeds up to 1/4000 s, the ability to save images in 14-bit RAW format, and display of a histogram in real time and taking into account exposure compensation. A significant disadvantage for some will be the virtual absence of burst shooting. A nice addition is the presence of Wi-Fi and NFC modules.

Specifications:

Canon PowerShot G7 X

Canon PowerShot G7 X

20.1 MP 24-100 mm 4.2x 3” 30,300 rubles.

The new G7 X is Canon's attempt to further segment the vast class of high-end Power-shot compacts. In the pocket form factor of the S series devices, the developers tried to realize the maximum level of quality and functionality of the Gx X models. There is no physical opportunity to combine a relatively small body with a large 1.5-inch proprietary sensor, and therefore a rather unusual decision was made for the company: turn to third-party developments. This is how the first inch format camera appeared in Canon’s arsenal. CMOS, built using back-illumination technology, makes it possible to obtain static images with a resolution of 20 megapixels and video in Full HD format with a frequency of up to 60 frames/s with progressive scan. Thanks to the presence of such a sensor, the G7 X did not have many competitors: three generations of Sony RX100 and the newly acquired Panasonic FZ1000. Compared to them, the camera stands out due to its optics that are more interesting in terms of characteristics. It has the largest zoom range while maintaining a high maximum aperture.

There is a control ring around the lens, first used in Power-shot S series cameras. However, this design element has evolved significantly since then. For each shooting mode, the user is asked to select one of several parameters that can be changed directly by turning the ring. These could be exposure values, focal length or focusing distance, color temperature correction, and even the degree of dynamic range expansion. Almost all the buttons on the camera body can be reassigned to perform the actions desired by the photographer. So, in terms of customization, the G7 X can easily compete with the recognized leaders in this field - cameras from Olympus and Ricoh. The only setting that cannot be set on the customizable keys and wheels is exposure compensation. In the best traditions of the Power-shot G series devices, a separate control wheel is provided for it, neatly hidden under the shooting mode selector. In addition to the ring around the lens, a wheel on the rear panel and several buttons with preset and reconfigurable functionality, a touch interface is also offered for controlling the camera. The 180-degree flip-up screen is touch-sensitive, and the software menu is optimized for finger navigation and parameter changes.

With a built-in flash with a guide number of 7, the camera's built-in strobe capabilities are limited. Perhaps this was done deliberately in order to separate the models of the series into different segments. It is clear that the “hot shoe” would be difficult to fit on the narrow top panel. But there is no support for remote control of Speedlites.

Specifications:

Canon PowerShot G16

Canon PowerShot G16

12 MP 28-140 mm 5x 3” 21,800 rubles.

It would seem that, against the backdrop of the latest models with the letter X in the index, the classic representative of the PowerShot G series no longer looks as attractive as many of its predecessors, which over the past 15 years have been the undisputed flagships of Canon’s compact line. However, this is not a reason to write him off.

In our difficult times, the difference of almost 9,000 rubles compared to the G7 X feels almost like an abyss. At the same time, the G16, while inferior in picture quality, works much faster and is noticeably more responsive in terms of control. The autofocus system based on the contrast detection method here has less lag and fails less often. So the camera works well at 5.7 frames/s in burst shooting mode with focus tracking. With a fixed focus, the G16 is capable of taking from 12.2 to 9.3 shots in one second in almost endless series.

The five-fold aperture zoom may not be as wide in the angle of view as in older models, but it is longer in the telephoto position. Let's say portrait photography with him will be more interesting. The minimum focusing distance of this optics is only 1 cm. Natural-scale shooting with the G16 without additional devices, of course, will not be possible anyway, but it gives much more impressive close-ups of small objects than the G1 X Mark II and G7 X can offer. Fast aperture The optics are complemented by the ability to set a short shutter speed of 1/4000 s and a built-in plug-in neutral density filter that reduces exposure by 3 steps. When using an external flash, the pulse will be synchronized over the entire shutter speed range, the built-in flash will only synchronize up to 1/2000 s, but in most cases this is sufficient. Thanks to this set of functions, even in sunny weather when using additional fill lighting, the photographer can work with the minimum depth of field available for the G16.

Although the camera was released over a year ago, it already uses the now popular 5-axis vibration compensation system with an efficiency of 3.5 EV stops. It has proven itself well in video mode, which in itself is quite good both in quality and functionality. And in this parameter, the G16 outperforms the G1 X Mark II.

When comparing this camera to the G7 X, one cannot help but notice its tighter integration into the EOS system. This will play into the hands of photographers who already have a Canon DSLR and are looking for a more compact and lighter addition: the current flagship may be too heavy for these purposes.

In addition to an extensive arsenal of more or less familiar shooting modes, the camera has a set of astrophotography programs. The G16 self-exposes and stacks frames for crisp starry skies or star trails. She even knows how to shoot a spectacular astronomical time-lapse, or rather, independently assemble frames into a video during time-lapse shooting. Shooting regular scenes is made easier with the simultaneous recording of two frames in RAW format with different aspect ratios. There was also the integration of a wireless data transmission and control module.

Specifications:

Canon PowerShot S120

Canon PowerShot S120

12 MP 24-120 mm 5x 3” 16,900 rubles.

The PowerShot S120 and G16 are related to each other in the same way as the G7 X and G1 X Mark II: roughly the same performance electronics, presented in one case in a pocket format, in the other in a larger, but more ergonomic case with greater expandability. The camera is based on a powerful Digic 6 processor and a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor with a relatively small number of photodiodes, but with decent light sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio. The smaller incarnation of the G16 maintains the same high continuous shooting speed, as well as accurate and fast autofocus.

Since the design of the G7 X was copied from the PowerShot S120, everything said earlier regarding the design and control features of the older camera is also relevant for the younger one. The only difference is that the touchscreen is built-in and not rotatable. In addition, the resolution of a three-inch matrix is ​​lower and amounts to 922 thousand dots, but, in our opinion, the difference with 1044 thousand dots will not be so fundamental.

The entire set of G16 programs is reproduced, including astrophotography video, and the set of manual settings of the top-class camera is almost completely presented. HDR shooting is supported in 3 automatic exposures at high speed, which allows you to avoid the use of a tripod and at the same time obtain images without unwanted ghosting of the boundaries of objects.

Naturally, the reduced body did not allow all the necessary buttons and control wheels to be placed on the camera, but their disadvantage is compensated by the presence of a touch display. In addition, the remaining buttons turned out to be quite large in area, and therefore the photographer will have fewer problems with operating the camera while wearing gloves. There is no hot shoe - just a built-in flash. The developers did not forget to build in a Wi-Fi interface, through which the camera can receive data about the location where the photographs were taken from a mobile device equipped with GPS or GLONASS. Software for Apple iOS and Google Android mobile operating systems gives remote access to a large number of camera shooting settings. The most significant photographic difference of the S120 is its wider, but slower, 5x zoom than the G16. In the telephoto position, the maximum aperture closes to f/5.7. But the price of the device turned out to be much more affordable than other representatives of the older segment of the Canon PowerShot line.

Specifications:

What I didn't like

Compared to more modern cameras, it has a smaller matrix and a smaller zoom.

What I liked

A great camera for beginner photographers. I’m very pleased with the swivel screen and optics, nothing else.

What I didn't like

I only take pictures in automatic mode; if I take pictures in manual mode, there is a lot of noise, I get the feeling that it was designed specifically for auto mode.

What I liked

Lightweight, compact, quick thinking, good color rendition. In good weather it shoots at 5+.

What I didn't like

Does not support modern SD cards. A bit expensive

What I liked

An excellent device for macro photography. Excellent for removing coins, bugs and cars. Excellent battery, long lasting.

What I didn't like

The cap keeps getting lost :)))
slowly? Yes. but you can do it a little faster - using firmware from the Canon website. Unfortunately, now, even if you want to go to your native language, it throws you into Russian.

What I liked

I've been using it since August 2004 - no problems. lightweight (this is important for me). ergonomics - without “taking your eyes out” of the video finder, it is convenient to press all the buttons on the body.

What I didn't like

Slow, the mode dial is not very convenient, high noise at long shutter speeds, the lens in the “tele” position is very vulnerable, the zoom would be better if it was mechanical

What I didn't like

slow, especially series, not for reporting, but good cards - (Ultra) compensate a little, poor location of the focal length lock button (MF) - when working with one hand it is accidentally pressed, ZOOM is too small, I would like 300mm

What I liked

reliable, convenient, simple, almost a DSLR in terms of capabilities but four times more compact, good combination of weight and dimensions, ergonomics - branded - SUPER, menu - convenient, 3 years without problems

What I didn't like

Of course, I'm dreaming, but interchangeable optics would be nice

What I liked

Although the model is outdated, even the characteristics remain quite good, the macro mode is ideal, shutter speed up to 15 seconds, not bad either

What I didn't like

The lid is not fastened with a cord, and after a year it was lost.

What I liked

A very reliable machine. Over 6 years of operation - not a single failure. Among other things, two macro modes - Macro and SuperMacro - I personally have never seen a better device for macro photography. Excellent focusing... I once bought a newer device, also Canon, also stated - min. shooting distance 10 mm. No comparison with Pro 1. I had to give it as a gift.

What I didn't like

Currently, it is obsolete, which is typical for all digital technology: slow, small zoom, lack of image stabilizer, limited video duration.

What I liked

Excellent image quality, ergonomics, convenient menu; several times more compact and cheaper than a DSLR, the rotating LCD monitor is especially convenient, which many DSLRs do not have; high quality: in 3 years, last winter the zoom lens froze for the first time, but after some time it was restored after repeated switching on. And now it works with an 8 GB memory card.

What I didn't like

Shirts cannot be worn in a chest pocket.

What I liked

Whatever you can think about the camera, it has its merits.

What I didn't like

Slow focusing, not very convenient manual focusing, both screens, both the rotating one and the one in the viewfinder, are not very good, low resolution, I don’t really need the size..
When photographing in RAW, when viewing the captured photo, it is not displayed completely (that is, it is displayed in a very, very low resolution) and you can only see how good it is on a computer..
Video is taken poorly, there is no way to use zoom while shooting, it takes a short time to shoot ((
Well, it’s a camera, so it’s still not a significant drawback))
the zoom could have been mechanical, it would have been faster and more convenient, but overall the camera is amazing
By the way, an important drawback is the matrix, its resolution is too high, if it were, say, 5 megapixels, there could be much less noise, at ISO 100 the camera is noticeably noisy, while the maximum sensitivity is 400, and the minimum is 50...
True, this disadvantage is compensated by the good aperture of the lens.
I also think that a maximum shutter speed of 15 seconds is not enough...
Of course, there is no optical stabilization, but this is not very important, although it is difficult to photograph indoors!!
due to low sensitivity you have to increase the shutter speed, and the photo will be blurry...
Need a tripod or good lighting)

What I liked

A convenient camera in every way, the optics are very good...in terms of functions, it has almost everything, and much more than I need

What I didn't like

There are no accessories for its price range.

What I liked

A very good model from Canon is a kind of bridge between conventional digital cameras and between SLR cameras. It fits comfortably in the hand, the unique style of a SLR camera is evident even when using the zoom, since it is adjusted not on the body but on the lens itself. Very decent quality picture. Ability to set exposure manually. Rotating display. Professional series of lenses L. At low sensitivity the camera does not make noise at all. It allows you to work with a picture at a professional level since it writes it in RAW, which is great.

What I didn't like

The video is not very good
Macro average

What I liked

Excellent picture at 50-100 ISO System compatibility with “Big Brother” - suitable flash, cable, battery from a DSLR Convenient zoom range Magnesium body, thoughtful ergonomics Compact size Availability of RAW Availability of bracketing

Smartphones these days have replaced entry-level compact cameras as the go-to camera for everyday photography, but there's one caveat that's preventing smartphones from pushing compacts out of their niche entirely. And this nuance is called “long zoom”. If you really need a well-detailed distant picture, the only practical solution is either a camera with interchangeable telephoto lenses or a compact with similar parameters.

The Canon PowerShot SX730 HS falls into the latter camp. The 24-960mm 35mm-equivalent lens shoots further than any average DSLR optic can handle. Of course, DSLRs and mirrorless cameras with larger sensors have more advantages, but if you're looking for a compact pocket camera, the SX730 is a good solution.

With such focal length parameters, the device does not have many competitors in the compact category: Panasonic Lumix ZS70 / TZ90, Nikon Coolpix A900 and Sony Cyber-shot WX500. Panasonic Lumix ZS100 / TZ100 can also be included in this list, but with a 1-inch sensor size it will be far ahead, and this camera costs more.

Peculiarities

As with most cameras, the size of the sensor plays a big role in the quality of the final image. In the SX730 HS its size is 1/2.3 inches. It's the smallest sensor of its kind, although the back-illuminated technology should help capture more light. The matrix resolution is 20.3 megapixels, like its predecessor SX720 HS. The brain of the device is the Canon DIGIC 6 processor.

In order to smooth out aberrations on such a wide-range lens, Canon had to resort to very low dispersion aspherical lenses. In order to reduce noise when shooting in low light conditions at long focus, a three-step optical stabilizer was installed on board the camera for shooting photos and a 5-axis optical stabilizer for shooting video.

Like its competitors, the Canon SX730 HS has a three-inch display that can be rotated on a vertical axis for taking selfies. This is facilitated by selfie modes such as self-portrait and facial skin smoothing. Such features, complete with built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and always-on Bluetooth, make it easy to share pictures on social networks. There is no doubt what market this camera is aimed at.

GPS is not included as standard, but you can always connect the camera via Bluetooth to your smartphone and use its location data. There is the familiar PASM wheel and manual exposure control with compensation in 1/3 increments.

Unlike 4K competitors such as the Panasonic Lumix TZ90 and Nikon Coolpix A900, the camera supports video recording in a maximum of FullHD mode. If you don't shoot video, this shouldn't bother you, especially since the FullHD picture comes with a frame rate of 60 fps. But Canon's reluctance to include 4K shooting in anything other than its most expensive models is frustrating, especially as this capability becomes standard across all classes of cameras.

Assembly

The camera body is made of polycarbonate with very pleasant rubber inserts in the area of ​​the front grip and thumb. The sleek body of the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS feels like it's made from premium materials. The LCD screen stays firmly in place, unlike some competitors whose flimsy screen designs sometimes don't inspire confidence.

There are nice rubber inserts on the right side front and back for better grip.

As with most cameras of this level, the display sits on a single hinge. This means that the display can only rotate in one direction - up. This fact may upset those who like to shoot with their hands raised.

In any case, the overall impression of the build quality is that the camera is built very neatly and solidly, there are no weak points, and the size of the compact allows it to easily fit into a pocket, unlike some competitors that are too large for this.

Considering the large movable LCD display and the modest dimensions of the case, the buttons on the rear panel are located very tightly, and the panel itself is small and slightly pressed into the case. This makes it difficult to turn the device and hold the lens towards you, and without getting the screen dirty (especially if the flash on top is already extended). The option with an already extended display saves the situation.

Autofocus

The PowerShot SX730 HS uses a standard and proven contrast-enhanced autofocus system that uses nine zones. Face focusing is also available, which helps you focus more accurately. In addition, you can choose the size of the central area to focus on: normal or reduced.

There is autofocus tracking. A macro photography function is available, with which you can shoot subjects from an incredible distance of 1 cm. There is also a manual focus mode.

Autofocus works very well. The camera focuses almost instantly at wide angles, and you can press the shutter button all the way down—there's almost never a need to pause while focusing. In telephoto mode, the time required to focus takes a little longer, but even then there are no complaints about the speed of the autofocus system.

In medium to low light conditions, the green AF beam makes focusing easy for the system and really reduces the time it takes to take a shot. The noise displayed on the screen in these conditions makes it difficult to focus more accurately, but if you rely on the camera's sensors and keep an eye on the hand-shake warning icon, you'll get mostly acceptably sharp photos.

But what the PowerShot SX730 HS doesn't have is a touch screen. It could help focus on certain points in the composition - in some cases this helps a lot. But, in general, this can hardly be called a strong omission. This will cause more problems for selfie lovers, but still the lack of the ability to manually set an autofocus point is disappointing.

Exploitation

Thanks to the DIGIC 6 processor onboard the camera (not the latest, but not so old that it matters), the PowerShot SX730 HS is quite pleasant to use.

The camera takes just over one second to become fully operational after being turned on. But this, of course, does not count the time spent zooming. In addition, you can simply enter the viewing mode of captured photos by pressing the corresponding button. In this case, the lens will remain inside the body.

In burst mode, the camera is capable of 5.9 frames per second, while at the start it produces 7-8 frames per second. Obviously, the latest DIGIC 7 processor is capable of more, but apparently Canon believes that this is enough for the target audience of compact cameras.

The type of memory card used in the camera is known to greatly affect the burst shooting speed. With a good memory card, you can take 16-17 pictures in 2 seconds, but only in jpeg format - the PowerShot SX730 HS does not support shooting in raw.

The screen on the camera is not the brightest by default, but the brightness is easy to adjust through the camera menu. In good lighting, the display produces excellent images, but loses detail when photographing in low light, especially in noisy and low-contrast environments.

Canon claims that one battery charge will last for 250 shots in normal mode and 355 shots in eco mode. It is very convenient that you can charge the camera via a regular USB port, which eliminates the need to carry a separate charger with you. On the other hand, Canon did not include a USB cable in the box. However, a traditional charger is included in the kit.

Image quality

In general, we can admit that the quality of images obtained from the PowerShot SX730 HS is very good. Exposure is set very accurately: in most cases, the balance between shadows, midtones and highlights is optimal, although it happens that highlights sometimes lose detail. It's a pity, but there are no tools for correcting highlight areas. But there is a function called i-Contrast, which allows you to add a little detail to the shadow areas if the photo is underexposed.

In the “My Colors” menu, you can enable filters such as “Vivid”, “Neutral”, “Black and White”. In standard mode, combined with automatic white balance, the pictures are quite good, but sometimes they lack saturation. Therefore, you can either apply filters or adjust the white balance.

The stabilization system works effectively; it has the most positive effect on image sharpness. Handheld you can get a stable picture at a shutter speed of 1/20 and even longer if you try. However, at a long focus it is worth taking several pictures at once, since the camera sometimes behaves inconsistently at a large zoom.

At short focal length, the image quality is commendable, while in telephoto mode, as in any other similar device, image distortion begins to be pulled out by noise reduction. However, chromatic aberrations and distortions in the corners are still noticeable. Noise is very noticeable even at ISO 1600, which is, in principle, expected for such a camera.

Unlike competitors from Panasonic, the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS cannot shoot in raw format. This is not uncommon on cameras like this and is far from necessary, because there is only so much you can get out of such a small sensor. Some people certainly don't see the point in shooting in jpeg, but Canon at least has a set of tweaks in the form of “My Colors” and i-Contrast and other ways to change the image.

The quality of video and audio is average. In good lighting and shooting at 60 frames per second, you will most likely be pleased with the results, but in slightly worse conditions the image clarity deteriorates. On the other hand, similar models from other manufacturers are capable of shooting in 4K resolution, and in this they can give odds to the PowerShot SX730 HS.

Shooting during the day

Shooting at dusk

Bottom line

The Canon PowerShot SX730 HS is a double-edged sword. The good news is that the camera is well-built, pleasant to use, and responsive in most situations. In terms of image quality, it doesn't disappoint either, although it leaves little wiggle room for working on the final image. If you're looking for a modern camera with a wide focal length range (and that's the deciding factor), then the SX730 HS is a good choice.

The other side of the coin is that most competitors have a number of features that this unit does not have. 4K video, touch screen, electronic level, even the option to determine the focal point - if you need at least one of these options, then it is better to look at models from other manufacturers. The viewfinder and raw-format shooting are not determining factors for cameras in this price range, but are also found in other cameras in this price segment.