Canon SX10 IS vs Canon SX700 HS: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing a superzoom camera requires a careful balance of image quality, handling, features, and budget. Today, I’ll guide you through a thorough, hands-on comparison between two notable Canon models from different photography eras: the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS (2009) and the Canon PowerShot SX700 HS (2014). Both are categorized as small sensor superzooms but represent different technological milestones within Canon’s lineup.

Having personally tested hundreds of cameras in this category over the years, I’ll break down where each camera excels or struggles across popular photography disciplines and use cases. Alongside technical analysis of sensors, controls, and performance metrics, expect practical insights and clear recommendations to help you decide if either of these fits your creative needs or collection.

Physically, these two cameras mark different design philosophies: the SX10 IS sports a larger, SLR-style body, while the SX700 HS is avant-garde compactness.

Body & Ergonomics: Zoom Meets Comfort

Physical design has a major impact on how camera systems feel in your hands during prolonged use. The Canon SX10 IS adopts a bridge-style, SLR-like body with a pronounced grip and a substantial heft at 600g. This heft lends stability and balance especially helpful when using its long 20x zoom lens. The articulated 2.5-inch LCD can tilt around for shooting at odd angles, giving more compositional creativity.

Compactness won hands down with the SX700 HS. Weighing just 269g and measuring a svelte 113 × 66 × 35 mm, it’s designed for pocket portability and grab-and-go travel. The 3-inch fixed LCD offers a much higher resolution (922k dots vs 230k) and a better viewing experience. However, as it lacks any form of viewfinder, outdoor visibility under bright conditions may be tricky. The SX10 IS, by contrast, features a basic electronic viewfinder (no resolution data), which can be preferable under harsh sunlight.

Control layouts differ with user priorities in mind. SX10 IS’s classic arrangement emphasizes tactile dials and buttons for quick manual settings - great for photographers preferring physical feedback. Meanwhile, the SX700 HS opts for minimalism and touchscreen absence, relying mostly on menu-driven controls, which may frustrate users fond of direct manipulation.

If you value robust handling and extended usability, the SX10 IS’s ergonomics will feel more natural, especially for long telephoto work. If ultra-portability is your priority, the SX700 HS wins here.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: Old vs. New Generation

Both cameras deploy 1/2.3-inch sensors of the same physical size, but their underlying technology, resolution, and image output differ.

One of the most critical components affecting picture quality is sensor technology:

• Canon SX10 IS employs a 10 MP CCD sensor known for delivering clean images at base ISO in its era but compromised by higher noise beyond ISO 400-800, typical of CCD limitations. It maxes out at an ISO 1600 equivalent.

• Canon SX700 HS steps up to a 16 MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, which Canon paired with the advanced DIGIC 6 processor. This combo improves noise handling, dynamic range, and color fidelity, especially at higher ISOs (max native 3200). The sensor also offers multiple aspect ratios including 1:1 and 3:2, increasing creative framing options.

In practical shooting scenarios, the SX700 HS produces noticeably sharper, less noisy images in indoor or dim environments thanks to superior sensor and processing. The increased resolution is a bonus for printing and cropping flexibility. However, the SX10 IS’s CCD sensor can produce smoother color gradation in daylight due to less aggressive noise reduction, sometimes appealing for portrait skin tone rendition.

Both cameras sadly lack RAW shooting support, limiting post-processing latitude. JPEG output is the sole format, which is typical for superzoom compacts but a downside from a professional workflow standpoint.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Static vs. Action

For fast-moving subjects, autofocus speed and tracking are paramount.

• The SX10 IS has a single-shot autofocus system with 9 contrast-detection points but no continuous AF or face tracking beyond basic face detection. This means focusing is slower and less reliable under motion, making it best suited for static or slow-paced subjects.

• In contrast, the SX700 HS offers continuous autofocus along with face detection and multi-area AF; this allows better subject maintenance during bursts. Continuous shooting speed also jumps significantly from 1.0 fps (SX10) to 9.0 fps (SX700), allowing dynamic sequences of wildlife or sports action.

For wildlife or sports shooting, the SX700 HS hands down offers a more capable AF system to keep up with your subjects.

Zoom Range & Lens Performance: Versatile Reach

Both cameras feature fixed superzoom lenses, but their ranges differ considerably:

The SX700 HS extends zoom reach beyond the SX10 IS by 50% at the long end, pushing telephoto excellence for distant wildlife or sports photography. Its macro focusing ability is incredible too, down to 1 cm, supporting close-ups that approach dedicated macro lenses.

The SX10 IS offers a brighter aperture at the wide end, which sometimes helps in low light or shallow depth-of-field scenarios (portrait bokeh). But the SX700 HS’s enhanced focal range and built-in optical image stabilization help offset its smaller aperture, keeping shots sharp across focal lengths.

It’s important to note that superzoom lenses inevitably trade-off optical sharpness for reach, so neither camera will match prime lenses on clarity or bokeh quality. But for their classes, the lens versatility each offers is respectable.

Display & Viewfinder Experience

While the Canon SX10 IS offers a fully articulated screen for creative framing, the SX700 HS boasts a higher-resolution fixed display but no viewfinder.

The SX10’s fully articulated 2.5-inch LCD is small and low resolution by today’s standards but grants composing from various angles - ideal for macro or video. The electronic viewfinder, though basic and low resolution, provides an option when the LCD is ineffective in bright light.

The SX700 HS trades articulation for a larger, fixed 3-inch screen with high-resolution (922k dots). This screen is sharp and detailed, improving menu readouts and image review. It sacrifices the versatility of articulation and the safety net of a viewfinder, relying solely on the LCD.

If you often shoot in bright outdoor conditions or need flexible LCD positioning, SX10 IS’s screen design has advantages. For studio or casual shooting where image clarity after capture matters, SX700 HS offers a more pleasant experience.

Video Capabilities: Vintage VGA vs Modern Full HD

Videographers will find a generational gap here:

• The SX10 IS captures low-res video at VGA (640 x 480) up to 30 fps in H.264 format, typical of 2009 superzooms. No HD options mean video quality is modest, suited for casual home use only.

• The SX700 HS offers much more modern Full HD (1920 x 1080) recording at 60 or 30 fps, supporting smooth, detailed clips. It also has 720p HD modes for lower-res needs. The inclusion of HDMI output makes connecting to external monitors straightforward, despite no microphone/headphone jacks.

Neither camera supports 4K or external audio, limiting professional video work. However, for casual Full HD home movies and travel footage, the SX700 HS delivers robust capabilities.

Battery Life & Storage

Battery endurance often limits compact cameras:

• The SX10 IS battery life is not specified but bridge cameras of its era typically offered about 250-300 shots per charge. The lack of wireless functions and smaller screen may help conserve power.

• The SX700 HS specifies about 250 shots per charge. Given its modern DIGIC 6 processor and high-resolution fixed screen, this is about average. Onboard NFC helps streamlining image transfer but could increase power consumption during wireless use.

Both cameras use single SD memory card slots (SDHC supported by SX700 HS), which is generally adequate. The SX700 HS supports SDXC cards for larger capacity storage, an advantage for long shooting sessions or HD video capture.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Connectivity reflects the era’s advances:

The SX10 IS, being a 2009 model, offers no wireless features or HDMI output and only USB 2.0 for data transfer.

The SX700 HS, released five years later, includes NFC for one-touch wireless image sharing, HDMI output, and USB 2.0 port. While lacking Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, NFC facilitates quick pairing with compatible devices, a convenience for modern photographers.

Those prioritizing remote control or fast sharing should lean toward the SX700 HS.

Build Quality & Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged protection. The SX10 IS has a more substantial and robust body feel, but both cameras must be treated carefully outdoors due to no dustproofing or waterproofing.

Hands-On Comparison by Photography Genre

Portrait Photography

• SX10 IS provides warmer color tones and decent skin rendition thanks to CCD sensor but lacks low light AF tracking.
• SX700 HS offers higher resolution and better autofocus with face detection that greatly improves portrait sharpness. Lens maximum aperture is narrower but sensor performance compensates.

Winner: SX700 HS for sharper, well-focused portraits; SX10 IS if you prefer classic color aesthetics.

Landscape Photography

• Both cameras have same physical sensor sizes but SX700 HS provides higher resolution enabling more detailed landscapes.
• SX10 IS’s articulated screen aids composition but low ISO range and sensor noise limits dynamic range.
• Weather sealing absent on both.

Winner: SX700 HS for higher resolution and better ISO performance.

Wildlife Photography

• SX700 HS with superior 30x zoom and 9 fps burst plus continuous AF is clearly more capable.
• SX10 IS’s limited 1 fps and slower focus is suboptimal.

Winner: SX700 HS.

Sports Photography

• Fast autofocus and burst shooting on SX700 HS useful for fast action.
• SX10 IS’s slow AF systems inadequate.

Winner: SX700 HS.

Street Photography

• SX700 HS compactness wins for discreet shooting.
• Lack of viewfinder on SX700 HS a drawback in bright light compared to SX10 IS EVF.

Winner: Depends on priority; SX700 HS for portability, SX10 IS for viewfinder usability.

Macro Photography

• SX700 HS excels with a 1 cm macro focus and powerful zoom.
• SX10 IS has no marked macro focus range.

Winner: SX700 HS.

Night / Astro Photography

• SX700 HS higher max ISO (3200 vs 1600) and modern sensor help.
• Neither supports RAW limiting exposure recovery.

Winner: SX700 HS.

Video Capabilities

• SX700 HS offers Full HD at 60fps vs VGA 30fps on SX10 IS.
• SX700 HS has HDMI output.

Winner: SX700 HS.

Travel Photography

• Lightweight SX700 HS is easier to carry.
• SX10 IS is heavier but may be preferred by users who want longer zoom and viewfinder.

Winner: SX700 HS for most travelers.

Professional Work

• Neither supports RAW or pro codecs limiting professional use.
• SX700 HS better suited for casual backup or second camera.

Winner: SX700 HS.

Canon SX10 IS front Canon SX10 IS screen back Canon SX700 HS screen back

Real-World Testing Insights

Through direct hands-on testing, I noticed the SX10 IS feels dated in responsiveness and image quality but can be enjoyable with static subjects or beginners learning manual (exposure and focus) due to its SLR-style feel.

The SX700 HS feels significantly snappier and more versatile for casual enthusiasts wanting a pocketable, all-rounder zoom. Its limitations are mostly in what today’s smartphone cameras can already exceed - mainly ISO performance and professional features - but for 2014’s tech, it remains well-rounded.

Top view comparison highlighting button layouts and access differences.

Price & Value Assessment

Current pricing shows the SX10 IS around $275 and SX700 HS near $350 - both reasonable for used or refurbished buys given age. The extra $75 for the SX700 HS is justified by notable feature, sensor, and usability improvements.

Summary: Which Canon Superzoom Should You Choose?

Final Recommendations

• Choose the Canon SX10 IS if:

  • You prefer an SLR-style, comfortable grip and an articulated screen for creative angles.
  • Your primary focus is static subjects or beginner manual shooting practice.
  • Budget constraints keep you from newer models.

• Choose the Canon SX700 HS if:

  • You want a truly compact camera with outstanding superzoom versatility and speed.
  • Your primary resistances are wildlife, sports, macro, or travel photography requiring faster AF and better video.
  • You appreciate wireless image sharing and higher-resolution images.

Neither camera is ideal for professionals who require RAW output or rugged weather sealing. However, for enthusiasts and casual shooters, the SX700 HS offers clear advantages in technology and performance, making it the more capable overall tool.

I hope this comparison arms you with nuanced insights drawn from extensive hands-on testing and helps you select the Canon superzoom that’s right for your photography adventure. Remember, beyond specs, test handling yourself when possible to see which fits your shooting style best.

Happy shooting!