Canon Powershot SX-700 w/30x Zoom Lens Test Photos – Initial Review

I just purchased the Canon Powershot SX-700 for my first solo trip to Barcelona Spain (read my post-trip review here). My previous camera was also a Canon Powershot – the pocket-size SD1300IS which is a great little camera for everyday use. However, mine had developed a grey smudge mark in the center on certain photos, most often when shooting bright daylight shots.

The zoom lens on my SD1300IS was pitiful.

I’ve been researching point-and-shoot cameras for a while and read many reviews before finally deciding on the SX-700. Initially I was looking for a waterproof camera but when I saw the 30x zoom lens on the slightly heavier but still pocket-size Canon SX-700 I decided this would be my new travel camera.

UPDATE: I have since purchased two newer Canon Powershot models and currently own the Canon Powershot SX-740 HS with 40x zoom. Even though this review is for the SX-700 w/30x zoom lens the information applies to the newer models in this series as well.

Pros and Cons of Canon SX-700 Camera

I am very pleased after my initial testing with the SX-700.

What I love so far:

• 30x zoom lens
• Image stabilization
• Dedicated movie button – no need to switch the dial – just press the button to start filming and press it again to stop
• Low light capability
• Crisp photos – great color – will require limited editing
• Pocket-size

What I dislike so far:

• Sometimes zoom will not zoom – very frustrating – I have to zoom back in and then re-zoom to the object I’m trying to photograph
• Sound effects – but you can turn that off from the menu settings

Haven’t tried yet but hope to love:

• One touch to load photos to Android or IOS device
• Share photos via WiFi

Sample Test Photos Canon SX-700

Here are some of my test photos around Austin using the Canon SX-700 using zoom, low light, and close-up. I also recorded a few videos and I’m very pleased so far. I don’t have a  lot of experience making videos and I haven’t loaded any to YouTube yet – must add that to my list of things to do!

So here are the photos with no editing whatsoever – just re-sized for the web. I’m very pleased with the color quality but would be interested to hear what anyone else thinks about the color quality.

First some of the close-up photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a little dog that started to follow me along the Bull Creek hiking trail. Not too far along the trail she reunited with a woman walking several other dogs along the trail – that’s when I found out her name was Alice – it was fun hiking with you Alice!

 

 

Here are the photos I am most excited about – the zoom photos! As I mentioned earlier my other Canon camera has a pitiful zoom lens so I am thrilled to see the SX-700 30x zoom in action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m looking forward to taking the Canon SX-700 on my upcoming trip to Barcelona Spain – it will be my first trip to Spain so I am very excited to finally visit Barcelona! (Update: second review of the Canon SX700j after my Barcelona trip here)

A couple more things about the camera – I highly recommend buying a spare battery so that you always have a back-up with you while shooting photos and video. The Canon SX-700 comes with a battery but no memory card so make sure you have one. I purchased a 32 GB card because I anticipate shooting more video with the SX-700.

Any comments about the color and general photo quality are most welcome. Also any info you have about favorite cameras for travel would be helpful. I’m still on the lookout for a good point-and-shoot waterproof camera.