This is my new Powershot SX70 HS rig. I have had it for about 5 months and have used it a fair bit. Normally, I don't write reviews for things, but I decided to give it a go for B&H. One reason was that most of the reviews are useless to me as a buyer because they don't say anything useful. Here is mine:
For background, I am experienced with the 5D Mk4, 7D Mk2, G5X Mk2 and all their predecessors. Been a photographer for over 50 years. I bought the SX70 to have a light camera with some telephoto reach. Tired of lugging around 25 pounds of camera bodies and lenses. Will use it to augment the G5X Mk2 when needed.
The controls are just like any other Canon. Nothing remarkable. I wish there were a wheel for exposure compensation, but it is no big deal. There are two zoom buttons. One in the normal place near the shutter and another on the side of the lens. I don't use the latter because it is easier to zoom with my trigger finger. The fully articulating screen is nice. I usually use the viewfinder because it is just more efficient for me. In bright lighting conditions, the screen is useless, but that is true of any other camera with a screen.
As far as autofocus is concerned, it seems a little spotty sometimes. Personally, I don't trust the tracking AF because it seems to be easily confused. It is much better to use servo AF with other than tracking AF. This is not a camera that is good for any kind of action. I like to photograph airplanes. Getting a decent shot of an airplane moving rapidly laterally is impossible.
As far as image quality goes it is not bad. It is not great either. With that tiny 20 Mp sensor (crop factor 5.64) you know there are necessary compromises. Noise is a minor issue. White balance control seems pretty good. At the end of the day I find myself firing up Topaz quite a bit. The original images are a touch noisy and quite soft. In the end I get a decent image.
I considered the Nikon P1000 as well. Although it has a 2000mm equivalent zoom, it is bigger and twice as heavy (608g vs 1415g). It just didn't seem worth it for the extra telephoto reach and weight.
The SX70 does a reasonable job under favorable conditions. The long end is hard to manage even though it has an optical IS system, I have a hard time using it unsupported. It works well on a tripod at 1365mm equivalent. It pays to use self timer so you can get your grubby paws off the camera for a while before the shutter trips.
Bottom line, I am happy that I bought it. I just have to keep in mind the limitations and deal with them while shooting. I have been using it for five months now and starting to get the hang of it. Nothing beats lots of practice.q
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