Canon PowerShot SX420 Review

In the market of cameras, there are lots of options and lots of things to think about and consider when looking into buying. The type of camera and the focus it has all depend on what you want to shoot. In this article, we are focusing on the Canon PowerShot SX420 and its competitors within the point-and-shoot field of camera models.

What Is The Canon PowerShot SX420?

The Canon PowerShot SX420 is a point and shoot camera that takes the lead over smartphone cameras with an impressive optical zoom. Today, point and shoot cameras have taken a hit from the progressing high tech smartphones and the cameras they have built in. It is hard to find a point and shoot model that offers more than you already have in your pocket at your fingertips.

The Canon Powershot SX420 has added technology and features to make sure its footing is secure and that users have the upper hand over a smartphone. 

PRODUCT SPECS

The Canon PowerShot SX420 has a 42x optical zoom, which is not only much more than you will find in other point and shoot cameras in this price range, it is also a marginal difference from a smartphone’s zoom. The features do not stop there though.

This model also has 20 megapixels to ensure that the zoom is not wasted and you can still achieve great image quality no matter where you rest the zoom. 

The ISO range is fair and sits in the mid-range, meaning that low-light and well-lit environments are covered.

The Canon PowerShot SX420 can shoot 720p video and is Wi-Fi enabled, so transferring photos or videos is simple even on the go. This camera also offers creative shooting modes that are fun to play with and easy to explore. 

PRICING

Since prices are always changing (especially in the camera market), we have included an average of the price for the Canon PowerShot SX420. This is based on various price brackets and is a compilation of prices to cover the high and low end.

HOW IT COMPARES

We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.

• Nikon Coolpix B500
• Sony Alpha A6000
• Panasonic Lumix FZ1000

Canon PowerShot SX420

This is a standard price for this type of model with the specs and features it offers, however, if you are looking for something in a lower price bracket, check out used or refurbished options.

The Canon PowerShot SX420 is meant to be an entry-level or mid-range camera. This means it needs to focus on simplicity and ease of use to fulfill its genre – and it does. Each setting or scene mode is simple and easy to understand, and no aspect of this camera is complicated enough to require lugging the instruction manual around. It is intuitive and handles well.

PROS

• Affordable
• Wi-fi
• Decent megapixels
• 42x optical zoom

CONS

• Poor performance in low light
• No touchscreen
• Low fps

Nikon Coolpix B500

Close behind the Canon PowerShot SX420 in terms of zoom is the Nikon Coolpix B500. It has a 40x optical zoom – which is just barely behind. It offers 16 megapixels and built-in Wi-fi and Bluetooth as well as Nikon’s Snapbridge feature which allows fast uploads and transfers. Like its Canon competitor, this model is made for entry level and beginner photographers looking for a step up from their smartphones.

While the average price is similar to the Canon PowerShot SX420, we feel that this model could be bought for less than the Canon if you look for used or refurbished. 

As an entry level camera, this model is simple and easy to pick up and go with. It does not require digging through the manual to understand features or settings, and the menu navigation is intuitive and easy to follow.

PROS

• 40x optical zoom
• Rotating screen
• Easy to use
• Wi-fi/Bluetooth enabled

CONS

• Poor low light performance
• No touchscreen
• Low fps
• Bulkier

Sony Alpha A6000

This DSLR model features 24 megapixels, a great ISO range (100-25600), and a tilting LCD screen for angled shots. It also has 179 AF points, which is a crazy amount for this size of camera, and it can shoot 11 frames per second – which is the most on this list so far.

Unlike the previous models, it is not a point-and-shoot camera. Instead, it is a slim and compact DSLR camera great for traveling and fast shooting, and with the addition of Wi-Fi and NFC, sharing and transferring photos on the go is simple as well.

While this is a jump from the previous cameras, for a DSLR model, this is around what you can expect. However, buying used or refurbished models may help lower that price point. 

For a DSLR camera, this is one of the simplest to pick up and run with. It does not require a lot of manual time, and if you are familiar at all with photography, then picking up this little guy should be easy.

PROS

• Good megapixels
• Compact/lightweight
• Good ISO range
• Wi-fi
• 179 AF points
• Tilting screen

CONS

• Higher price
• Low fps

Panasonic Lumix FZ1000

This point and shoot model is a bridge camera that offers 20 megapixels and 4K video – a hot commodity for point and shoot models. Within that 4K users can pull out 8-megapixel shots as well. It has a 16x optical zoom, a fully rotating screen, and there are attachments for the lens and camera body to bring a little more creative freedom into the mix.

It has Wi-Fi abilities, and the lens has macro functioning as well to aid in that creative freedom. Within the camera is an editing option too that allows you to add or edit creative features of images you have already taken.

For a point and shoot camera, this is a little high regarding price. However, this model does offer many features others do not, so a higher price is expected. We recommend looking through used or refurbished options for a more affordable option though.

As a bridge camera, this model is incorporating creative freedom with point and shoot simplicity – without compromising quality. Overall, this is a great model if you are looking to upgrade from a simple point and shoot.

It is simple and easy to understand, even while incorporating some more of the DSLR-type lingo. Our main suggestion here would be to include a touchscreen as that would aid greatly in navigation and would help new or adjusting users.

PROS

• 4K video
• Lots of add-on options for shooting
• Rotating screen
• Wi-fi
• Lots of creative shooting options

CONS

• Cheap build
• No touchscreen
• Hard to work with warranty

CONCLUSION

Overall, the Canon PowerShot SX420 does not do too badly in this comparison. If you are looking for a model that is affordable, easy to work with, and offers basic shooting options, then this model would be worth looking at.

Considering its flaws as well as its peaks in performance, we give the Canon PowerShot SX420 3 out of 5 stars. We base this rating off of its poor low light performance, its lack of a touchscreen, and its low frames per second – but also on the portability, this model offers users and the amazing optical zoom built in the camera as well.