Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Digital Camera, Black {12.1MP}

Canon SX50 HS: 50x optical zoom in a bridge body.

The SX50 HS covers 24mm to 1200mm in a single fixed lens, which was a genuine milestone when it arrived and remains a useful spec today. That range handles everything from environmental portraits to distant wildlife without swapping glass or carrying a second bag. Optical image stabilization keeps that 1200mm end usable at real-world handheld shutter speeds, and the electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage gives you a steadier hold than shooting at arm's length on the 2.8" fully articulated LCD.

Under the hood, a 12.1MP BSI-CMOS sensor pairs with Canon's DIGIC 5 processor, and the camera shoots 12-bit RAW files for anyone who wants latitude in post. ISO runs to 6400, and you get full manual exposure controls alongside aperture and shutter priority. Full HD 1080p video records with stereo sound over H.264, which held up well as a travel video format. The hot shoe opens the door to external flash units like the 270EX II or 430EX II.

At 595g with a 315-shot CIPA battery rating, the SX50 HS is a self-contained system that asks very little of your bag. For anyone who shoots subjects at unpredictable distances without wanting to manage an interchangeable-lens kit, that 50x range at a bridge camera price point is hard to argue with.

Who It's For

Safari and wildlife photographers working from a fixed blind or vehicle get a 1200mm equivalent reach without the cost or weight of a super-telephoto lens system. Travel photographers covering multiple subject types in a single day benefit from the 24mm wide end for architecture and the fully articulated LCD for awkward angles. Birders who need an electronic viewfinder and optical stabilization at long focal lengths will find both here. Nature and backyard photographers shooting subjects at variable distances, from macro range up to distant perches, can cover that ground in one body with RAW output for post-processing control.

Key Features

• 50x optical zoom, 24-1200mm equivalent focal length
• 12.1MP BSI-CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5 processor
• 12-bit RAW capture alongside JPEG
• 100% coverage electronic viewfinder with 202,000 dots
• 2.8" fully articulated vari-angle LCD screen
• Optical image stabilization throughout zoom range
• ISO 80-6400 with full manual exposure controls
• Full HD 1080p video with stereo sound and H.264 codec

FAQ

What focal length range does the SX50 HS cover?

24-1200mm equivalent, which is the full 50x optical zoom range. That spans from wide environmental shots to distant wildlife without changing lenses.

Does the SX50 HS shoot RAW files?

Yes, 12-bit RAW files alongside JPEG. You get full latitude in post-processing for exposure and color work.

How does optical image stabilization perform at 1200mm?

It keeps the 1200mm end usable at real-world handheld speeds, though you'll still benefit from a tripod or monopod for critical sharpness at that magnification.

Can you attach external flash units?

Yes, the hot shoe accepts Canon flashes like the 270EX II, 320EX, or 430EX II. The built-in flash covers 5.5 meters.

What's the battery life on a full charge?

CIPA rating is 315 shots per NB-10L charge using the LCD screen. Video recording and frequent viewfinder use will reduce that number.

Is the viewfinder useful for composition?

The electronic viewfinder shows 100% frame coverage with 202,000 dots resolution. It's sharper than the 2.8" LCD and steadies your hold compared to arm's-length shooting.

Can the articulated LCD screen flip all the way around?

It's a fully articulated vari-angle design, so you can rotate it for overhead or waist-level framing, but it doesn't flip fully closed against the body.