Canon SX710 HS Review

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SX710 HS Overview
Specifications
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Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Canon PowerShot SX710 HS
Resolution:	20.30 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1/2.3 inch (6.2mm x 4.6mm)
Lens:	30.00x zoom (25-750mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	No / LCD
Native ISO:	80 - 3200
Extended ISO:	80 - 3200
Shutter:	1/3200 - 15 sec
Max Aperture:	3.2
Dimensions:	4.4 x 2.6 x 1.4 in. (113 x 66 x 35 mm)
Weight:	9.5 oz (269 g) includes batteries
MSRP:	$350
Availability:	02/2015
Manufacturer:	Canon
Full specs:	Canon SX710 HS specifications

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20.30 Megapixels	30.00x zoom	1/2.3 inch size sensor

Canon SX710 Review -- First Impressions

by William Brawley
Posted 01/05/2015

Consumers looking for a pocketable, high-powered zoom camera should take note of the latest offering from Canon. The updated Canon PowerShot SX710 HS comes as the replacement for the SX700 released last year, and while it keeps a few of the same specs -- a 30x zoom lens and Canon's latest DIGIC 6 image processor -- there are a number of upgrades and tweaks to satisfy the needs of the budget-conscious traveler for whom a smartphone camera just doesn't cut it.

The main new feature of the Canon PowerShot SX710 is the upgraded CMOS sensor. Size-wise, the sensors is still a 1/2.3-inch type CMOS chip, the resolution gets a bump from 16 to 20.3 megapixels.

The lens on the SX710 remains the same with a 30x zoom ratio for a 25-750mm-equivalent focal length range, making the camera suitable for wide-angle landscapes and portraits of your family as well as that animal or landmark way off in the distance. As with the previous model, the SX710 offers Zoom Framing Assist to help frame and compose shots when zoomed at higher magnifications. To help keep all those telephoto shots steady and blur-free -- same goes for low-light shots as well -- Canon has improved on the image stabilization of the SX710, which now provides a combination of optical image stabilization and Canon's Dynamic IS.

The physical design of the Canon SX710 has not been dramatically changed. The camera keeps the same, large 3.0-inch fixed LCD monitor with a 922,000 dot (~640 x 480 pixel) resolution for a nice, detailed and crisp image.

Exposure modes remain unchanged as well, with a handful of Auto and Scene modes for simple, point-and-shoot operation. The SX710 also offers program and manual exposure modes, as well as aperture- and shutter-priority modes for more customized, advanced shooting. Video recording modes also remain the same as in the previous model with 1920 x 1080 Full HD video resolution available 60p, 30p, and 24p.

Canon, like other camera manufacturers, is undoubtedly feeling the heat from smartphones, as more and more people opt for the device in their pocket over a dedicated camera. However, there are times when a proper, standalone camera, with a larger sensor and zoom lens, for instance, is needed or desired. However, people still want to easily share their photos with friends and family via social media, typically using their mobile devices. To make this process as seamless as possible, the SX710 features Near Field Communication (NFC) -- like its predecessor -- for simple one-tap communication, except SX710 now offers a nice improvement: Active Tag NFC.

With regular "passive" NFC tags, like on the SX700, users with NFC-enabled smartphones and tablets could tap the camera and automatically launch the companion mobile app. However, to offload and view media, users had to manually initiate this transfer process. With Active Tag NFC, the new SX710 will bypass that manual step and automatically transfer images to the host device -- all with a simply tap. You're then free to edit, delete, share or do as you please with your photos and video.

In addition to NFC support for compatible smartphones and tablets, the SX710 is also compatible with the new Canon Connect Station CS100 HDTV set-top box (see right) for quick and simple slideshows, sharing, printing and backup of your photos and video.

Of course, the Canon SX710 also includes built-in Wi-Fi, with improved, more robust remote shooting capabilities, including full PASM control for exposure. You can now also shooting in multiple aspect ratios, including 16:9, 3:2, 4:3 and 1:1. Via the smart device app, users can tap-to-focus as well as drag the focus point, and face-detect AF is also available. Further shooting adjusts via the improved Wi-Fi app included flash adjustments, ISO adjustments, exposure compensation, drive mode, and self-timer.

The SX700 introduced a newer, longer-lasting rechargeable battery, and the SX710 brings this along as well. The NB-6LH 1,060mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery pack offered a manufacturer-rated 250 shots on the SX700, while we don't have battery specs for the SX710 yet, we expect to see similar battery performance.

The Canon PowerShot SX710 HS is set to be available in black only in February for a list price of US$349.99, which is the same initial price of the previous model.