Worth a shot!

With a good zoom and fine pixel density, Canon's PowerShot SX520 provides a hassle-free clicking experience

A 42x optically stabilised lens for super zoom and a 16 megapixel CMOS sensor. Sounds appealing, doesn't it? Well, this is what the Canon PowerShot SX520 offers you. This compact bridge camera is an updated version of its predecessor, the SX510 HS. The gadget aims to capture the bridge camera segment that has grown rapidly of late due to the increased interest in photography among young photographers and tourists. These point and shoot cameras have a digital single-lens reflex camera-like look and provide good zoom and pixel density. Moreover, you do not have to worry about which lens to use because these cameras come with a fixed one. Let's look at this product in detail before deciding whether the Canon PowerShot SX520 is a worthwhile investment.

Design and build

As mentioned earlier, the SX520 looks a lot like a DSLR. It has a good grip that makes operations easy. On the top, there is a zoom switch to extend the lens. Also, you will find the scrolling dial similar to those in a DSLR. The dial helps you choose from various settings, depending on the shooting mode. At the back, there is a four-way controller with settings for ISO, flash, display and focus mode. The playback button sits right over it. Below the four-way controller, you will find the menu and a continuous shooting mode button. At the bottom, there is a tripod socket and a compartment that holds the battery and the memory card. Overall, the build quality is good.

Performance

The camera uses a 16MP CMOS sensor accompanied by the Digic 4+ processor. This allows the photographer to click crisp and fine pictures. However, a Digic 5 processor would have been appreciated more, as it allows better low-light pictures. Also missing is the panorama mode. The SX520 has a built in flash that you can activate manually. Several creative filters come loaded with the device - fish eye, miniature, monochrome, super-vivid and poster. An interesting feature here is the creative shot mode. This one automatically adds filters to the image you click and produces six variations. The device uses screen detection to figure out which effects to apply and it crops some images to come up with different compositions. The camera also has a dedicated movie record button that allows 1080p recording.

The 42x optical zoom lens is not the best in its class but not bad for its price. I found that keeping the camera stable at maximum zoom is slightly difficult while holding it without a tripod. To negate this problem, Canon provides the Framing Assist (Lock) function, which can be used to lock on to faraway subjects, and thereby hold focus. This feature did manage to reduce some shake but was not completely effective.

Verdict

For someone, who does not wish to go through the hassles of playing around with the lenses of a DSLR every now and then, the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS is an easy option to shoot crisp photographs and can come in handy during your holidays. With features such as framing assist, creative shot, it gives you the chance to click pictures that can aid your photography skills. At Rs 17,995, we would say the camera is not a bad buy, but with the increased inclination of amateur photographers towards DSLRs, it might not be easy for the Canon PowerShot SX520 HS.