Canon SX70 Comparison Review
The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS is a fixed lens compact camera that was announced in September 2018 and is equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 20.2 megapixel.
Is the Canon SX70 a good camera? The SX70 has a Camera Elo of 2195. This rating puts the SX70 among the top 30 percent of all superzoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the SX70 ranks among the top 10 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 4.5-star performance rating.
| Canon SX70 |
|---|
| Fixed lens compact camera |
| 21-1365mm f/3.4-6.5 |
| 20.2 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor |
| 4K/30p Video |
| ISO 100 - 3 200 |
| Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots) |
| 3.0 LCD, 922k dots |
| Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive) |
| 10 shutter flaps per second |
| 325 shots per battery charge |
| 127 x 91 x 117 mm, 608 g |
Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.
Body comparison with a credit card
An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Canon SX70 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Canon SX70 alongside a set of comparators. If you want to review a camera pair side-by-side, just select a right-side comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.
| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life 1 |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch 2 |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon SX70 | 5.0 in | 3.6 in | 4.6 in | 21.4 oz | 325 | n | Sep 2018 | 549 |  | |
| Canon SX740 | 4.3 in | 2.5 in | 1.6 in | 10.5 oz | 265 | n | Jul 2018 | 399 | | |
| Canon 77D | 5.2 in | 3.9 in | 3.0 in | 19.0 oz | 600 | n | Feb 2017 | 899 | | |
| Canon G9 X Mark II | 3.9 in | 2.3 in | 1.2 in | 7.3 oz | 235 | n | Jan 2017 | 529 | | |
| Canon M100 | 4.3 in | 2.6 in | 1.4 in | 10.7 oz | 295 | n | Aug 2017 | 499 | | |
| Canon SX730 | 4.3 in | 2.5 in | 1.6 in | 10.6 oz | 250 | n | Apr 2017 | 399 | | |
| Canon SX60 | 5.0 in | 3.7 in | 4.5 in | 22.9 oz | 340 | n | Sep 2014 | 549 | | |
| Canon SX1 | 5.0 in | 3.5 in | 3.5 in | 21.7 oz | .. | n | Sep 2008 | 599 | | |
| Nikon B700 | 4.9 in | 3.3 in | 4.2 in | 19.9 oz | 350 | n | Feb 2016 | 499 | | |
| Panasonic FZ80 | 5.1 in | 3.7 in | 4.7 in | 21.7 oz | 330 | n | Jan 2017 | 399 | | |
| Sony HX400V | 5.1 in | 3.7 in | 4.1 in | 23.3 oz | 300 | n | Feb 2014 | 499 | | |
|
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. (1) Number of images that can be taken on a full battery charge according to the CIPA-standard; (2) Official announcement. |
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Canon SX70 was launched in the US market at a price of $549. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide
The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
The Canon SX70 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Canon SX70 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon SX70 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Canon SX740 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Canon 77D | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.6 | 13.3 | 971 | 78 | |
| Canon G9 X Mark II | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 21.9 | 12.5 | 522 | 65 | |
| Canon M100 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.5 | 12.9 | 1272 | 78 | |
| Canon SX730 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/60p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Canon SX60 | 1/2.3 | 14.2 | 4608 | 3072 | 1080/60p | 19.2 | 10.8 | 127 | 39 | |
| Canon SX1 | 1/2.3 | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | 1080/30p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Nikon B700 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Panasonic FZ80 | 1/2.3 | 18.0 | 4896 | 3672 | 4K/30p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Sony HX400V | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/60p | .. | .. | .. | .. |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The SX70 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the SX70 can use is 4K/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Canon SX70 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.
| Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Size (inch) |
LCD Resolution (000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Mech Shutter Speed |
Shutter Flaps (1/sec) | Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon SX70 | 2360 | n | 3.0 | 922 | swivel | n | 1/2000s | 10.0 | Y | Y | |
| Canon SX740 | none | n | 3.0 | 922 | tilting | n | 1/3200s | 10.0 | Y | Y | |
| Canon 77D | optical | Y | 3.0 | 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 6.0 | Y | n | |
| Canon G9 X Mark II | none | n | 3.0 | 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 8.2 | Y | Y | |
| Canon M100 | none | n | 3.0 | 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 6.1 | Y | n | |
| Canon SX730 | none | n | 3.0 | 922 | tilting | n | 1/3200s | 5.9 | Y | Y | |
| Canon SX60 | 922 | n | 3.0 | 922 | swivel | n | 1/2000s | 6.4 | Y | Y | |
| Canon SX1 | 202 | n | 2.8 | 230 | swivel | n | 1/3200s | 4.0 | Y | Y | |
| Nikon B700 | 921 | n | 3.0 | 921 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 5.0 | Y | Y | |
| Panasonic FZ80 | 1166 | n | 3.0 | 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0 | Y | Y | |
| Sony HX400V | 210 | n | 3.0 | 921 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 10.0 | Y | Y |
One convenient feature of the SX70 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.
Connection comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Microphone |
Internal Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support | NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon SX70 | - | stereo | mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| Canon SX740 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| Canon 77D | Y | stereo | mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
| Canon G9 X Mark II | - | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
| Canon M100 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
| Canon SX730 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
| Canon SX60 | Y | stereo | mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| Canon SX1 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | YES | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| Nikon B700 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
| Panasonic FZ80 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| Sony HX400V | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - |
It is notable that the SX70 has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.
The SX70 has a zoom lens built in (3.8-247mm f/3.4-6.5), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 21 to 1365mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.
Expert reviews
While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the SX70. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog).
| Camera Model |
camera labs |
dp review |
ephoto zine |
imaging resource |
photography blog |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon SX70 | + + | .. | 3.5/5 | .. | 3.5/5 | Sep 2018 | 549 | |
|
| Canon SX740 | + | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | Jul 2018 | 399 | |
|
| Canon 77D | .. | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2017 | 899 | |
|
| Canon G9 X Mark II | .. | 75/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2017 | 529 | |
|
| Canon M100 | + | .. | 4/5 | .. | 3.5/5 | Aug 2017 | 499 | |
|
| Canon SX730 | + | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | Apr 2017 | 399 | |
|
| Canon SX60 | + + | 75/100 | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | Sep 2014 | 549 | |
|
| Canon SX1 | + + | + | .. | o | 3.5/5 | Sep 2008 | 599 | |
|
| Nikon B700 | + | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | Feb 2016 | 499 | |
|
| Panasonic FZ80 | + + | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | Jan 2017 | 399 | |
|
| Sony HX400V | + + | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | Feb 2014 | 499 | |
|
| Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. | |||||||||
The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.
Canon SX70 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the SX70.
What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the SX70?
The camera has a BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.
Which image processing chip is used to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Canon equipped the SX70 with the DIGIC 8 image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the SX70?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200.
Does the camera have a selfie-friendly screen?
Yes, the LCD-screen of the SX70 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.
Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Canon SX70?
The SX70 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.
Does the Canon SX70 feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
Does the Canon SX70 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?
Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).
Which battery does the SX70 use?
The camera gets its power from the LP-E12 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Where can I find the best deals for the SX70?
Grey imports from Asia, as found on eBay, are often very attractively priced. However, these cameras come without a warranty from Canon.
Camera to camera comparisons
If you would like to see a side-by-side review of this and another camera, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
- Canon 1D C vs Canon SX70
- Canon 1D X vs Canon SX70
- Canon 7D vs Canon SX70
- Canon SX60 vs Canon SX70
- Canon SX70 vs Nikon D3500
- Canon SX70 vs Nikon D50
- Canon SX70 vs Olympus E-500
- Canon SX70 vs Panasonic FZ100
- Canon SX70 vs Panasonic GH1
- Canon SX70 vs Panasonic TZ90
- Canon SX70 vs Panasonic ZS100
- Canon SX70 vs Sony A68
| Camera Model | Canon SX70 | |
| Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | |
| Camera Lens | 21-1365mm f/3.4-6.5 | |
| Launch Date | September 2018 | |
| Launch Price | USD 549 | |
| Sensor Specs | ||
| Sensor Technology | BSI-CMOS | |
| Sensor Format | 1/2.3" Sensor | |
| Sensor Size | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | |
| Sensor Area | 28 mm2 | |
| Sensor Diagonal | 7.7 mm | |
| Crop Factor | 5.6x | |
| Sensor Resolution | 20.2 Megapixels | |
| Image Resolution | 5 184 x 3 888 pixels | |
| Pixel Pitch | 1.18 μm | |
| Pixel Density | 71.80 MP/cm2 | |
| Moiré control | no AA filter | |
| Movie Capability | 4K/30p Video | |
| ISO Setting | 100 - 3 200 ISO | |
| Image Processor | DIGIC 8 | |
| Screen Specs | ||
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2360k dots | |
| LCD Framing | Live View | |
| LCD Size | 922k dots | |
| LCD Attachment | Swivel screen | |
| Shooting Specs | ||
| Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
| Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/2000s | |
| Continuous Shooting | 10 shutter flaps/s | |
| Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
| Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
| Fill Flash | Build-in Flash | |
| Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
| Second Storage Option | Single card slot | |
| UHS card support | UHS-I | |
| Connectivity Specs | ||
| External Flash | no Hotshoe | |
| USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
| HDMI Port | micro HDMI | |
| Microphone Port | External MIC port | |
| Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | |
| Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth built-in | |
| Body Specs | ||
| Battery Type | LP-E12 power pack | |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 325 shots per charge | |
| Body Dimensions |
127 x 91 x 117 mm (5.0 x 3.6 x 4.6 in) |
|
| Camera Weight | 608 g (21.4 oz) |
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