Canon PowerShot SX710 HS Review

By:

Review posted 04/10/2015

Quick Take
Pros
  • Camera performs faster than many point-n-shoot cameras
  • Having 30x optical zoom in thin camera body is great for travel
  • Images are sharp in most shooting circumstances
  • Fast continuous shot mode
  • Minimal problems with shutter lag, other than when shooting at full optical zoom or with flash
  • Full HD video recording at 60 fps
  • Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity
  • Camera buttons are of a good size and are placed well on the camera's body
  • Inclusion of mode dial is helpful
  • Nice to have some manual control options with the SX710
  • LCD screen is sharp and bright
  • Manual focus mode works pretty well
  • Image quality is good when using the flash
  • Some fun and interesting special effect modes
Cons
  • Some problems with noise at mid- to high-ISO ranges
  • Camera's performance slows considerably when making use of the flash
  • Larger image sensor would be nice at this price point and would help image quality
  • No touch screen LCD
  • On-screen menu structure could use an upgrade
  • Some settings are confusing, such as only having full HD video at 60 fps available on one mode dial setting
  • Maximum aperture of lens is only an average performer at f/3.2
  • Battery life could be better
  • Minimal upgrades from PowerShot SX700
  • Price is a little high
Bottom Line
The Canon PowerShot SX710 HS provides some nice features that make it a good option as a travel camera. It's thin enough to fit in a pocket, while providing an impressive 30x optical zoom range. Image quality is about average in most circumstances, so don't expect to make a lot of large prints with the SX710's 1/2.3-inch image sensor, even though this camera has 20-megapixels of resolution. The camera's button layout is great, and the mode dial provides access to some advanced shooting modes. The SX710's performance speed is above average most of the time, other than when using the flash. If the image quality was just a little bit better and the camera's starting price was just a little lower, the PowerShot SX710 would be a highly recommended point-n-shoot camera. As it stands, this is still a good model that will fit the needs of many travelers. But those who already own the SX700 will have little reason to upgrade to this new, but very similar, model. Read more in our Full Conclusion.


The newly announced Canon PowerShot SX710 HS is housed in the same body as last year's SX700, but offers notable improvements in the image sensor, image processor, and wireless capabilities.

The SX710 HS boasts a long reading 30x optical zoom lens coupled with a 20.3-megapixel "High Sensitivity" CMOS image sensor and the newer DIGIC 6 image processor that "create the Canon HS System allowing for excellent low-light performance" and Full 1080p HD video recording capabilities at up to 60 frames-per-second. Zoom Framing Assist and Intelligent IS tag team to keep moving subjects in focus and your images optimally stabilized.

Hybrid AUTO is another nice feature, automatically adjusting camera settings for still images while creating a highlight reel of said images as a 720p HD video. You can also uses Creative Shot and Short Clip modes to spice up still images and videos visually, or perhaps you'd like to add special effects like Fast Motion or Slow Speed using Story Highlights Mode.

Lastly, like many of the new Canon models, the SX710 HS includes NFC and built-in Wi-Fi to allow you to connect this camera to compatible smartphone and tablet devices to either back up images and videos, share them on social media, or to even remotely access certain camera menus.

Canon PowerShot SX710 HS Features:
  • 30x optical zoom lens
  • 20.3MP CMOS image sensor
  • DIGIC 6 image processor
  • Full 1080p HD Video @ 60p
    • Dedicated Movie Button
  • Intelligent Image Stabilization
  • 3.0" LCD screen
  • Hybrid AUTO
  • Creative Shot Mode
  • Short Clip Mode
  • Story Highlights Mode
    • Fast Motion
    • Slow Speed
  • Active NFC
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

The Canon PowerShot SX710 HS is available in black with a $349.99 MSRP. See our best price box at the top right of this page to see current online pricing.



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