Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification
The Canon Powershot SX610 HS is this years update to the SX600 HS, and features an 18x optical zoom lens, a new 20 megapixel sensor and improved grip. Built in Wi-Fi and NFC makes it easy to transfer images as well as control the camera from your smartphone.
Canon Powershot SX610 HS Features
The Canon Powershot SX610 HS offers a few updates since the SX600 HS, with the most noticeable differences being the design of the camera, which now has improved rubber grips at the front and back of the camera, along with a 20 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, which is an increase over the 16 megapixel sensor of the previous model.
The 18x optical zoom lens is equivalent to 25-450mm in 35mm terms, and optical image stabilisation ensures sharp photos in low light or when using optical zoom. The camera can focus on subjects just 5cm away from the front of the lens when shooting with macro focus enabled. On the rear of the camera is a 3inch screen with a good resolution of 922K dots.
There are numerous automatic shooting modes, as well as creative filters available for more interesting photos. Creative shot takes a number of shots and generates a variety of edited photos automatically.
Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity makes it easy to connect to a compatible smartphone to shoot remotely and transfer images.
The SX610 HS records full HD video with mono sound, and optical zoom is available whilst recording.
Key Features
- 20 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor
- 18x optical zoom lens, 25-450mm equivalent
- Optical image stabilisation (2.5 stops)
- 3inch screen, 922K dots
- Wi-Fi / NFC connectivity
- FullHD video
- ISO80 to ISO3200
- 5cm Macro mode
- 2.5fps continuous shooting (at full resolution)
- Available in black, white and red
Canon Powershot SX610 HS Handling
The Canon Powershot SX610 HS is stylish looking camera, with a compact pop-up flash built in that can be released with a side switch. To put the flash away you simply push it back in. The new rubber grip at the front and rear, along with clean design lines gives the camera a premium look and feel. The metal body and solid construction gives the impression of a well built camera which is rather surprisingly made in Japan - most compact cameras are made in China these days.
The screen is clear and easy to view even when using it outside in bright conditions, and the 922k dot resolution is good. The rear is where you'll find the main controls for the camera with a mode switch letting you go between Auto, Creative and Auto / Hybrid. When in Auto mode, you can select additional shooting modes by pressing the FUNC/SET button. This is also how you access the majority of photo settings, with an overlay shown on screen. This should mean you won't need to enter the menus too often, although if you do you'll be pleased to find built in help making the camera easier to use.
Built in Wi-Fi and NFC makes it easy to connect to compatible iOS and Android devices. The Canon Camera Connect app lets you view images and video on the camera and transfer them to your phone, shoot remotely and remotely control the camera, as well as add GPS location information to photos based on GPS data from your smartphone. Once the photos are on your smartphone it's then easy to share your images to social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Battery life - Battery life is rated at 270 shots according to Canon/ CIPA test results, which can be extended to a much more impressive 400 shots when ECO mode is enabled.
Canon Powershot SX610 HS Performance
The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.
| Shutter Response | <0.05secs |
| Wide - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.175secs |
| Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.375secs |
| Switch on Time to Taking a Photo | 1.8secs |
| Shot to Shot without Flash | 1.5secs |
| Shot to Shot with Flash | 2.8secs |
| Continuous Shooting - JPEG (shots before slow down) |
5fps (2 shots, then 0.6secs between shots) |
| Continuous Shooting - Flash | 2.7secs |
5.5fps continuous shooting is also available at a reduced resolution of 5 megapixels.
Canon Powershot SX610 HS Sample Photos
Sample Photos - The camera takes photos with good colour and exposure. Flash photos show very little red-eye, and skin tones are good. Dynamic range is reasonably good, and can be effectively extended using the iContrast setting.
Canon Powershot SX610 HS Lens test images
Lens Performance - Photos show reasonable levels of detail, although if you view them at 100% then they can look a little bit soft. Chromatic aberration was a problem when using the full optical zoom, but for the most part is well controlled, more so at the wide-angle end of the lens. The camera lens is also quite resistant to flare, even with the sun in the frame. Focusing was generally quick and reliable, and the camera has a good macro mode.
Canon Powershot SX610 HS ISO test images
ISO Noise Performance - Noise is visible in images shot at the lowest ISO settings of ISO100 and ISO200, however as long as you're not viewing them at 100% this shouldn't cause an issue. In lower light situations ISO200 and ISO400 may produce usable results, however noise increases at these settings. At ISO800 noise increases further with the loss of detail, and this setting is probably useful if you plan on sharing on the web after resizing the image. ISO1600 and ISO3200 shows more noise and these settings are best avoided.
Canon Powershot SX610 HS White-balance test images
White Balance Performance - Auto White Balance (AWB) performs well under Tungsten lighting, with the camera producing a slightly warm result, and for a more accurate result the Tungsten preset does an excellent job. Under fluorescent lighting AWB perfoms very well, and the fluorescent preset gives the image a warm colour cast.
Canon Powershot SX610 HS Digital filters
Digital Filters - There are a number of creative filters, such as fisheye, toycam and miniature, as well as a Creative Shot mode that will take a number of photos and then apply different effects to them. You can also choose the style of the effects, including Auto, Retro, Monochrome, Special, and Natural. There are no automatic HDR modes or automatic panoramic shooting modes.
Video - The camera records full HD video with mono sound, and the optical zoom is available while recording. Image stabilisation does a good job of keeping the image steady however a tripod could be useful on windy days when using a lot of optical zoom.
Value For Money
The Canon Powershot SX610 HS is available for around £145 which makes it reasonable value for money, being a similar price to the following cameras:
Sony Cyber-shot WX350, 20x optical zoom lens, 18mp, 10fps, Wi-Fi, £139
Nikon Coolpix S7000, 20x optical zoom lens, 16mp, 11fps, Wi-Fi, £145
Panasonic Lumix TZ57, 20x optical zoom, 16mp, 10fps, Wi-Fi, Selfie screen, £159
Have a look at more travel cameras in our Top 10 Best Pocket Zoom Cameras 2015. You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
Canon Powershot SX610 HS Verdict
The Canon Powershot SX610 HS updates last years SX600 HS with a new design with improved handling, and adds a 20 megapixel sensor instead of the 16 megapixel sensor in the previous version. Whilst this may sound like an improvement, it's resulted in a camera that produces images with more noise, as well as slowing down the continuous shooting speed (which wasn't very quick to begin with compared to the competitors available).
In terms of what the camera does do well, the Canon Powershot SX610 HS produces images with excellent colour and reliable exposure. Focus is quick and reliable, and the camera's built in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity is good. The battery life is a little short, but can be extended to a much more impressive 400 shots when the ECO mode is enabled. With a stylish design and good handling, as the price drops we would expect this camera to become even more appealing.
The Canon Powershot SX610 HS offers pleasing images with great colour and good handling.