Design, structure
In terms of design, the Canon PowerShot SX50 looks cleaner and more contemporary than the Canon PowerShot SX40 with some contemporary styling. The machine has a very lightweight, monolithic plastic structure, which can hold one hand easily.
The 24-20000mm lens is the biggest improvement with the f / 3.4-6.5 aperture range from the wide angle to the maximum zoom. The lens uses 13 lenses and is grouped into 10 groups, including 3 low scattering lenses for optimum optical quality. Accompanying it is the 4.5-stop Intelligent IS image stabilization technology. According to Canon, the SX50 also uses the Voice Coil stabilizer similar to the SX40 for quiet focus.
Mostly on the front, the handle is well-designed with a fair cut. The flash is located at the familiar location above, eliminating the overlay which is not very useful at the SX40, the light is mechanized. The flash button next to the lamp is not used to turn on the lights, only to support the flash compensation and avoid red-eye.
The upper part of the camera has a shutter release button and a mode dial that allows quick access to shooting modes such as P / A / S / M. C1, C2 (user self-set) and Adv are where users can use special features such as panorama shooting, continuous mode low light or using filters. image processing.
The back panel is equipped with a 2.8-inch, 12-megapixel LCD display that displays all the specifications, aperture or filter, and other controls. Are arranged reasonably.
The SX50’s connectivity lies under a small cap on the side of the camera’s handlebar with HDMI, USB / AV.
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS 12MP Digital Camera with 2.8-Inch LCD (Black): Buy it now
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS 12MP Digital Camera with 2.8-Inch LCD (Black) – International Version (No Warranty): Buy it now
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Digital Camera: Buy it now
Features and image quality
DSRL midrange users will find it difficult to buy a super-zoom lens for thousands of dollars, so SX-50’s built-in lens is one of the most exciting things Canon has to offer.
At maximum zoom, the aperture reaches f / 6.5, but at wide angle, f / 3.4 may not be as expected. Limitations also appear when the zoom at 1200 mm, the anti-vibration is not good, difficult to keep the machine fixed because the machine slightly light.
It takes about a second to start the zoom function. The focus time depends on the zoom level, the average zoom takes about 2 to 4 seconds. The speed of focus is quite fast, averaging from 0.5 seconds to 1 second in good lighting conditions. Actually, the zoom speed is somewhat slower than the SX40, which affects the shooting in low light conditions. Time to take a JPEG image is from 2 to 2.5 seconds and averaged 3.5 seconds for the RAW format.
ISO range runs from 80 to 6400, brightness compensation is +/- 3E, shutter speed is highest at 1 / 2,000s, maximum opening time is 15s, it is very convenient to capture interesting moments like the sun Dive, twilight, or the city lights up with vehicles on the road.
The Enhanced Zoom Framing Assist feature on the SX50 allows users to lock the subject at the longest focal length. This is a superior feature compared to the SX40 sibling when supported with two Seek and Lock functions to frame and lock the subject. The Seek button on the lens rim allows the lens to move and align the subject to fit the preset frame. The Lock button is used to activate special image stabilization, in which the subject is fixed in the center of the frame.
High-resolution, color-saturated color images. At ISO 400 has appeared noisy but not really noticeable.
Noise creeps in starting around ISO 800, and by ISO 1600 color saturation takes a real hit. At 3200 and 6400, images go flat and mostly colorless. Shoot RAW and you can rescue ISO 3200 in Photoshop, that’s about where the ceiling is.
Movie mode has a fair amount of customization, and the dedicated movie button makes it quick to jump into recording. Full HD (1920×1080) holds up decently in low light, and you can zoom mid-shot with compensation that keeps footage from looking jerky.
Key Features
50x optical zoom. This is why you’d buy the SX50 HS. 24-1200mm equivalent means you can go from a wide landscape to a bird across the yard without swapping lenses. Optical stabilization keeps things steady at the long end, where shake gets obvious fast.
12.1MP CMOS sensor + DIGIC 5. The resolution looks modest next to newer cameras, but that’s partly by design — fewer megapixels on a small sensor usually means better noise control.
Full HD video. 1080p at 24fps, movie button on the back, and the full zoom range works while recording. The stereo mic is fine, nothing special.
High-Speed Burst HQ. 13fps at full resolution — useful for sports or wildlife, where you don’t get a second chance at the shot.
Intelligent IS. Auto-selects a stabilization mode depending on how you’re shooting, handheld or tripod.
Hot shoe. Room for a flash or external mic if you want one.
Performance
Autofocus runs contrast detection across 9 points — fast and reliable in good light, a bit slower in low light but usually still lands the shot. Startup is close to instant, and burst shooting doesn’t lag between frames.
Image quality is genuinely good for a superzoom. Low light is handled better than expected — noise stays controlled up through most ISOs, becoming noticeable but still usable at the 6400 ceiling. Optical stabilization helps push shutter speeds slower without blur creeping in.
Colors are accurate without looking washed out, and white balance stays consistent across different lighting setups.
Video is one of this camera’s real strengths for the class — sharp 1080p footage, smooth motion, and the full zoom range available while filming. The built-in mic picks up wind and background noise easily, so if audio matters, plan on an external mic through the hot shoe (adapter required).
User Experience
Menus are clean, the mode dial gets you to Manual/Aperture/Shutter/Program fast, and physical controls are well placed — the zoom lever sits right by the shutter button. The vari-angle LCD is genuinely useful for awkward angles.
Battery life sits around 315 shots per charge (CIPA rated) enough for a casual day, but bring a spare for anything longer.
Pros and Cons
The zoom range is the headline pro here, and image quality and video hold up well alongside it. The design and vari-angle screen make it comfortable to actually shoot with day to day.
On the downside: autofocus slows in low light, the built-in mic struggles with wind, and you’ll want a spare battery for longer outings.
Comparison with Competitors
Against other superzooms, the SX50 HS mostly holds its own — that 50x range is a real edge most competitors don’t match. Image quality and low-light performance are on par with the category. Some newer competitors offer 4K video and external mic support, which this camera lacks.
Conclusion
The 24-1200mm lens is the whole story with the SX50 HS, and it delivers on that promise. Image quality is solid, video holds up, and the controls make it easy to use without a learning curve. Low-light autofocus and audio are the weak spots, but neither is enough to rule it out — especially if you want reach without carrying multiple lenses.
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Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.