Overview
Canon SX70 Preview
Posted: 09/21/2018
by: Zig Weidelich
After almost four years on the market, Canon has announced the successor to the popular SX60 superzoom, in the aptly named Canon PowerShot SX70 HS. The SX70 boasts the same 21 - 1,365mm equivalent 65x optical zoom lens as its predecessor, however sensor resolution has been boosted to 20 megapixels from 16mp, and the image processor has been upgraded two generations to the latest DIGIC 8 iteration, from the DIGIC 6 in the SX60. As we'll see below, the new processor and sensor pairing promises to bring with it some performance enhancements and hopefully some image quality improvements as well, though we'll obviously need to test that out in the lab once we get our hands on one.
4K video and faster Full HD
The new internals give the SX70 the ability to capture 4K UHD (3840x2160) video at up to 30 frames per second as well as Full HD (1920x1080) at up to 120 fps, whereas the SX60 topped out at Full HD at 60 fps. The SX70 appears to have dropped the SX60's low-res Super Slow-Mo movie modes (640x480 at 120 fps and 320x240 at 240 fps), though we doubt many will miss those.
Higher performance and better EVF
Burst performance has also improved, rated at up to 10 frames per second with single-shot autofocus or 5.7 fps with continuous AF, up from 6.4 and 3.8 fps respectively. No word yet on buffer depths, though.
The Canon SX70 also boasts a much higher resolution electronic viewfinder featuring an OLED panel with 2.36M dots, versus a 922K-dot LCD panel in the SX60's EVF. There's also a new eye sensor, allowing the SX70 to automatically switch to the EVF simply by bringing the camera up to the eye. The rear monitor remains a vari-angle 3.0-inch TFT LCD with 922K dots and without touch capability.
Other upgrades but some downgrades, too
Additional enhancements over the SX60 include a 4K time-lapse movie mode, improved image stabilization rated up to 5 stops of compensation, a new zoom lever on the left side of the lens barrel, in-camera panoramas, support for Canon's latest RAW format (.CR3) for smaller files, an updated EOS-like user interface, and built-in Bluetooth for easier sharing and geotagging. The SX70 is also a little lighter at 608g versus 650g for its predecessor (about 1.5 ounces lighter).
Unfortunately, there are however a few downgrades, including the lack of the SX60's flash hot shoe and reduced battery life thanks in part to a smaller LP-E12 battery pack. (The SX70 is CIPA-rated at 255 shots per charge with the EVF and 325 shots with the LCD, versus 340 shots for the SX60 with either display using its slightly higher capacity NB-10L battery pack.)
Canon SX70 availability and pricing
The Canon SX70 will be available from November 2018 for an estimated retail price of US$549.99, which is the same price as the SX60 when it was introduced. A battery pack, dedicated battery charger, lens cap and shoulder strap are included in the bundle.