Canon SX270 HS
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
- 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
- Released March 2013
- Previous Model is Canon SX260 HS
- Later Model is Canon SX280 HS
- Read full specs
- Alternatives
- Size Comparison
- FAQ
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38
Canon SX270 HS overview
Canon SX270 HS is Canon's Small Sensor Superzoom digital camera first released on March of 2013. The camera features a 12MP, BSI-CMOS 1/2.3" size sensor with a maximum resolution of 4000 x 3000.
Canon brought out this model to improve the earlier Canon SX260 HS (Read Full Comparison) & subsequently brought out the newer Canon SX280 HS (Read Full Comparison) in an effort to improve this model.
The SX270 HS is rated #153 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras & all-around #767 out of 1465 for cameras in our list. Remember to look at our Advanced camera filter to see camera results based on your personal criteria.
Below is a graph of various criteria used in the scoring system.
Canon SX270 HS history
The Canon SX270 HS is part of a family of cameras. You can view the complete list underneath.
F3.5-6.812MP1/2.3"2013
Canon SX270 HS Gallery
You can look at the SX270 HS from several angles in the gallery underneath.
Canon SX270 HS Pros and Cons
Here is a list of benefits and drawbacks of the Canon SX270 HS based on factors which are normally viewed as essential in a digital camera.
Canon SX270 HS Sensor information
The Canon SX270 HS houses the Digic 6 processor chip. The sensor measurement on the Canon SX270 HS is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor can resolve 4000 x 3000 pixels using aspect ratios of 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. The camera features Image Stabilization (Optical). Optical stabilization is more effective than digital stabilization since the latter can cause cropping.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe BSI-CMOS sensor has 12 megapixels and includes a standard ISO range of 100 to 6400. Sadly, RAW files are not supported therefore the user has less margin for error.
The image underneath displays the SX270 HS's sensor size when compared to other popular sizes. The SX270 HS sensor has a crop factor of 5.8 and is displayed in green.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideTo get an idea of specific aspect ratios, you can refer to the graphic below.
Canon SX270 HS dimensions
Canon SX270 HS weighs 0.51 lb (233g / 8.22 ounces) & has outside proportions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3"). The weight of normal Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387g and the Canon SX270 HS is lighter as compared to its rivals.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsUnderneath is a image of the Canon SX270 HS with a soda to help you to get a sense of its size.
The top view under will provide the button arrangement on the SX270 HS.
Canon SX270 HS Lens information
The SX270 HS provides an inbuilt lens offering a focal range of 25-500mm giving it a 20.0 x zoom which is exceptional and will let you zoom all the way in.
At it's widest 25mm, it features an aperture of f3.5 making it really sluggish and not good for low light situations and you will probably struggle to get a shallow depth of field. You might also have to boost your ISO setting giving you noisy images. At the long end, 500mm is brilliant zoom and comes to f6.8 which is really slow and you might have to utilize slower shutter speeds.
Canon SX270 HS Connectivity
The SX270 HS has the following connectivity:
- USB Yes
- HDMI Yes
Cameras that come with NFC and Bluetooth compatibility can easily be controlled wirelessly through smartphones. You can transfer files and usually change camera settings without the hassle of connecting straight with the camera.
Some apps also stream a Liveview and click the shutter if you aren't near the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI port, it could be attached to an external monitor. Virtually all cameras enable you to recharge the battery using the USB port.
Canon SX270 HS Video information
The maximum video quality on the Canon SX270 HS is 1920 x 1080 and you can record in MPEG-4 and H.264 file format. 1080p quality is an excellent balance in video quality versus file size but FULL HD isn't going to give you any room to crop. The body doesn't feature a microphone and headphone port which means that you get absolutely no control over the audio. It is perhaps a better idea to order a different model should you require good audio for your videos.
Canon SX270 HS Weather Sealing
Canon SX270 HS doesn't have weather sealing so rainy conditions can ruin the camera.
Canon SX270 HS Screen and Viewfinder
The Canon SX270 HS features a 3 inch fixed display screen having a resolution of 461 thousand dots.
Sadly the display screen isn't a touch screen.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe ViewFinder specifications for Canon SX270 HS are below:
- ViewFinder None
For sunny outdoor conditions that make the camera screens washed out and challenging to see, viewfinders will be pretty valuable.
Canon SX270 HS Shutter information
Canon SX270 HS continuous shooting rate is 4.0 frames per second. The max shutter speed is 1/3200s.
Canon SX270 HS Flash and Hot shoe information
Canon SX270 HS features just built-in flash with missing external flash ability.
Canon SX270 HS Autofocusing information
Canon SX270 HS features only Contrast Detect Auto Focus & does not have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection focusing is more quicker & accurate as compared to Contrast Detect focusing. The camera features Face detection which is useful for portrait photography.
It also comes with Tracking Auto Focus for things that move. Canon SX270 HS includes manual focus in case it is needed in low light situations or you want more exact focus control.
Canon SX270 HS Battery life
The battery (NB-6L) in the Canon SX270 HS is made to last for 210 photographs based on the CIPA measurements making it lesser in comparison with it's competitors. The general Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR has got the highest possible (600) battery life in this category of cameras.
Listed below is a list of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras which have the strongest battery life:
Canon SX270 HS for various kinds of photography
The following illustration displays a analysis of the Canon SX270 HS for various kinds of photography. To understand more, visit the specific paragraph underneath.
Canon SX270 HS as a Portrait photography camera
The Canon SX270 HS gets a points total of 34 which is really bad, meaning that it is just not very good for portrait photos. Photographing portrait photos leans heavily to sensor resolution, support for RAW photos plus the ability to utilize off-camera lighting.
Street photography with Canon SX270 HS
Getting a very good score of 61, the Canon SX270 HS is a very decent fit to buy for street photography. A very good street photography camera offers a fine balance of image quality plus portability.
Canon SX270 HS Sports photography information
A really bad sports photography points tally of 36 suggests the Canon SX270 HS is just not very good for shooting sports. A camera needs to have very good focusing and shutter speeds for sports photography.
Canon SX270 HS Travel photography highlights
Size is really important in getting a travel camera. Over-all, the Canon SX270 HS gets a above average 61 for a travel camera which makes it a fine option to take on your travels.
Canon SX270 HS Landscape photography highlights
If you are looking to choose a camera for landscape photos, the most critical aspect will no doubt be image quality. The Canon SX270 HS and it's really bad score of 41 as a landscape camera is just not very good amongst it's competitors.
Canon SX270 HS as a Vlogging camera
A camera for vlogging really should posses a moving display screen, mic input and if possible image stabilization. Taking everything in to account, the Canon SX270 HS is just not very good as a vlog camera as it delivers a really bad rating of 34.
Canon SX270 HS Alternatives
If you are searching for replacements to the SX270 HS, below is a range of the highest scored cameras which fall within the category of Small Sensor Superzoom.
The line chart followed below will give you an overview of the SX270 HS versus it's highest ranked competitors listed previously.
Following are several cameras you might see as alternate options. To read a complete comparison, simply click the "compare" link.