Canon PowerShot SX510 HS Digital Camera, Black {12.1MP}

A 30x Reach Superzoom That Fits in Your Palm

The Canon PowerShot SX510 HS pairs a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with the DIGIC 4 processor, a combination built to squeeze cleaner files and full 1080p video out of a compact body. The headline feature is the 24-720mm equivalent lens, a 30x optical zoom range that takes you from wide interiors to distant wildlife and sports action without swapping glass. Optical image stabilization helps steady handheld shots at the long end of that range, where camera shake gets punishing.

Exposure control goes beyond scene modes: aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual exposure are all onboard, along with exposure compensation adjustable in 1/3 EV steps up to plus-or-minus 2 stops. Shutter speeds run from 15 seconds to 1/1600 sec, giving you room for both long-exposure experiments and frozen action. The 3-inch fixed LCD with 461,000 dots handles composition and review duties, and built-in Wi-Fi lets you push images straight to a phone or tablet for sharing.

At 349 grams and small enough to slip into a jacket pocket, the SX510 HS carries DSLR-like reach without the bulk. For anyone who wants one camera to cover a trip, a soccer game, and a backyard bird feeder, that kind of focal range in this footprint remains a genuinely useful trade-off.

Who It's For

Travelers who don't want to carry a bag of lenses get a 24-720mm equivalent range in a 349-gram body, enough to shoot architecture at the wide end and pull in distant landmarks without changing gear. Wildlife and casual sports shooters benefit from the 30x optical zoom and optical image stabilization when working handheld at full telephoto, where shake is hardest to control. Enthusiasts moving up from a basic point-and-shoot get real manual control, aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual exposure modes, plus exposure compensation in 1/3 EV steps. Anyone who wants to post shots quickly can use the built-in Wi-Fi to send photos and 1080p video to a smartphone without a cable.

Key Features

• 12.1MP CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 processor for cleaner files and 1080p video
• 30x optical zoom from 24-720mm equivalent focal length
• Optical image stabilization for steady handheld shots at telephoto distances
• Aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual exposure controls
• 3-inch fixed LCD with 461,000 dots for composition and review
• Built-in Wi-Fi for direct image sharing to phones and tablets
• 349 grams compact body fits easily in jacket pocket

FAQ

What sensor does the SX510 HS use?

A 12.1-megapixel 1/2.3" CMOS sensor paired with the DIGIC 4 processor. Canon moved away from the SX500's CCD to this CMOS design specifically to improve image quality and enable 1080p video.

How far does the 30x zoom actually reach?

The lens covers 24-720mm equivalent, so you're going from standard wide angle all the way to extreme telephoto without changing glass. At the long end, optical image stabilization helps keep handheld shots sharp since camera shake gets severe at 720mm.

Can you shoot manual exposure on this camera?

Yes. You get aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual modes. Shutter speeds run 15 seconds to 1/1600 sec, and exposure compensation is adjustable in 1/3 EV steps up to ±2 stops.

What video does it record?

1920 x 1080 at 24 fps in H.264 or MPEG-4 format. The camera also shoots 1280 x 720 at 30 fps and 640 x 480 at 30 fps if you need different frame rates or file sizes.

Does the Wi-Fi actually work well for transferring images?

It's built-in 802.11 b/g/n and designed to push images to iOS and Android devices via the Canon CameraWindow app, or to social networks and email through the Canon iMAGE Gateway. Transfer speed depends on your network, but the setup process is straightforward.

How long does the battery last?

Canon rates it at 250 shots per charge using the NB-6LH lithium-ion battery. Real-world endurance varies with flash use, Wi-Fi transfers, and LCD brightness - shooting video will drain it faster than still photography.

Is the 3-inch LCD screen touchscreen?

No, it's a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 461,000 dots. Not the brightest or sharpest screen in the market, but standard for consumer superzooms at this price point.