Our Top 10 Picks of the Best Canon PowerShot Cameras

Canon has one of the most extensive ranges of point and shoot cameras available in 2021 – the PowerShot range. In this guide, we look at the best Canon PowerShot cameras currently available. To help you understand more about this range of cameras, we have split the guide down into the three sub-series of PowerShot cameras – SX, G, and ELPH.

Canon PowerShot SX Series

The Canon PowerShot SX series is possibly the best-known and most widely used of Canon’s point and shoot cameras. This range has been in existence for many years and there is a good selection of SX models to choose from.

PowerShot SX cameras typically feature large optical zooms of 25x or greater. They also generally feature a 20MP sensor and provide excellent image quality. In terms of design, these cameras for the most part look and feel like traditional point and shoot cameras. They are also easy to use and have a good mix of basic and advanced features.

1. Canon PowerShot SX740 HS

• Sensor – 20.3MP CMOS
• Image Processor – DIGIC 8
• Video Quality – 4K UHD, 30p
• Image Stabilization – Yes
• Lens – 4.3-172mm

One of the best Canon PowerShot cameras is the SX740 HS. This remains a popular option as it provides excellent image quality, up-to-date features, and 4K UHD video at 30p. It can create fantastic quality images and smooth videos with the built-in hybrid image stabilization.

This is a highly portable camera thanks to its small size. It also weighs virtually nothing and can easily be carried in your bag or on the wrist with a wrist strap. It has a relatively simple interface and button layout, and a high-quality LCD screen.

2. Canon PowerShot SX620 HS

• Sensor – 20.2MP CMOS
• Image Processor – DIGIC 4+
• Video Quality – 1080p, 30p
• Image Stabilization – Yes
• Lens – 4.5-112.5mm

The PowerShot SX620 HS is an older model but it still offers fantastic quality and is a versatile point and shoot camera. It uses the old DIGIC 4+ processor, but it can still take photos at a resolution of 20.2MP along with 1080p video.

In terms of design, this camera is stylish and compact. It could make an excellent travel camera and would take up virtually no room in your bag or luggage.

3. Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

• Sensor – 16.0MP CMOS
• Image Processor – DIGIC 6
• Video Quality – 1080p, 60p
• Image Stabilization – Yes
• Lens – 3.8-247mm

The SX60 HS is a good quality medium-range point and shoot camera. It has a DSLR design and features a large textured grip on the right-hand side. It has a high-powered zoom lens with a maximum focal distance of 247mm. This means you can shoot anything from wide-angle through to telephoto.

With a 16MP CMOS sensor, this camera can still take quality photos, although it lacks some of the definition and sharpness of the other SX models.

4. Canon PowerShot SX420 IS

• Sensor – 20.0MP CMOS
• Image Processor – DIGIC 4+
• Video Quality – 720p
• Image Stabilization – Yes
• Lens – 4.3-180.6mm

If you want a cheap point and shoot camera, the SX420 IS is a solid choice. This is one of the few PowerShot SX models that looks more like a traditional DSLR. It is comfortable to hold and use and has a 20.0MP CMOS sensor.

This point and shoot camera also has a high-powered zoom lens that offers a maximum focal distance of 180.6mm. This is complemented by the built-in image stabilization. It does not offer the best low-light performance, but it is a decent all-round camera for the price.

Canon PowerShot G Series

The Canon PowerShot G series are some of the best Canon PowerShot cameras available. They look and feel like traditional DSLR cameras. They offer some basic features but also give users greater control with advanced shooting modes.

Generally, the image and video quality of G series cameras is superior to SX and ELPH. A higher-quality lens and increased zoom range is also typically offered. These cameras are perfect for those who want something more than a basic point and shoot camera can offer, without the price tag of a DSLR and associated lenses.

1. Canon PowerShot G1 X MKIII

• Sensor – 24.2MP CMOS
• Image Processor – DIGIC 7
• Video Quality – 1080p, 60p
• Image Stabilization -Yes
• Lens – 15-45mm

We rate the G1 X MKIII as one of the best Canon PowerShot cameras and it offers the best raw image quality with a 24.2MP CMOS sensor. This places it firmly above the other G series and SX series models in terms of image capabilities.

It also provides decent video recording at 1080p. This camera also looks great and has a compact design that looks like a DSLR. It has a large textured grip, and its high-quality EVF is centrally positioned. This means you can use either the screen or EVF to compose images.

This camera also has a high-quality touchscreen that can be fully flipped and rotated in numerous positions. For those who want DSLR-like quality without the price tag and bulk, this is a top option.

2. Canon PowerShot G5 X MKII

• Sensor – 20.1MP CMOS
• Image Processor – DIGIC 8
• Video Quality – 4K UHD, 30p
• Image Stabilization – Yes
• Lens – 8.8-44mm

The PowerShot G5 X MKII is a powerful point and shoot camera that can create high-quality images and videos. It has a simple 5x optical zoom and is therefore suited for landscapes, portraits, and street photography.

We like that it can record full 4K UHD video, and it benefits from a relatively newer DIGIC 8 processor (this is not the newest version, however). This point and shoot camera also has a quality LCD touchscreen and a simple button layout.

Those wanting to develop their photography skills will appreciate the advanced features and settings. The body design sits somewhere in-between a traditional DSLR and point and shoot camera.

3. Canon PowerShot G3 X

• Sensor – 20.2MP CMOS
• Image Processor – DIGIC 6
• Video Quality – 1080p, 60p
• Image Stabilization – Yes
• Lens – 8.8-220mm

The Canon PowerShot G3 X is one of the older G series models, but it is still one of the best Canon PowerShot cameras available. It has a neat design with a high-quality LCD touchscreen that can be flipped upwards for taking selfies and portraits.

For budding videographers, it can record movies at 1080p, 60fps. For connectivity, this point and shoot camera also has built-in WiFi and NFC and you can transfer images instantly using the Canon app on your smartphone. This PowerShot camera also has one of the best zoom lenses available and provides telephoto distances of up to 220mm.

4. Canon PowerShot G7 X MKIII

• Sensor – 20.1MP CMOS
• Image Processor – DIGIC 8
• Video Quality – 4K UHD, 30p
• Image Stabilization – Yes
• Lens – 8.8-36.8mm

The No products found. is the latest iteration of the G7 model and features excellent image and video quality. You can record video at full 4K HD and this is aided by the decent autofocusing system. It also has built-in optical image stabilization that helps when using the zoom lens.

In terms of design, the G7 X MKIII looks more like a traditional point and shoot camera. It is much sleeker than other G series models and is quite compact. It is essentially an upgrade, a more robust version of the traditional SX PowerShot cameras.

Canon PowerShot ELPH Series

Finally, the Canon PowerShot ELPH series offers the cheapest point and shoot cameras Canon produces. ELPH cameras generally represent the lowest in terms of image and video quality. However, they also represent the best in terms of usability for novices.

These cameras are small, stylish, and compact. If you simply want a decent quality camera for holidays, events, or general usage, Canon PowerShot ELPH cameras are a great choice.

1. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS

• Sensor – 20.2MP CMOS
• Image Processor – DIGIC 4+
• Video Quality – 1080p
• Image Stabilization – No
• Lens – 4.5-54mm

The ELPH 360 HS is the current best-quality ELPH model available. It has decent image and recording quality, but it only has a maximum zoom of 54mm. This means you cannot take telephoto images with it.

It does have an excellent compact design that is also stylish, and available in three colors. It weighs virtually nothing, and you can easily fit it in your pocket. For usability, this point and shoot camera is intuitive and has a host of automatic features so anyone can quickly take quality images.

If you are not concerned about advanced features or getting used to DSLR systems, the ELPH 360 HS is one of the best Canon PowerShot cameras available.

2. Canon PowerShot ELPH 180

• Sensor – 20.0MP CMOS
• Image Processor – DIGIC 4
• Video Quality – 720p
• Image Stabilization – No
• Lens – 5.0-40mm

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 is an older model and does not offer the same quality as the ELPH 360 HS. However, it is still a solid quality point and shoot camera. It has a decent 20.0MP CMOS sensor and the images you can produce are sharp and have great contrast.

It can also record videos at 720p. In terms of design, it is similarly small and compact and could make a decent travel camera. It has a great automatic feature that chooses the best camera settings for you. This means you can take photos without detailed knowledge of camera settings.

Other PowerShot Models – Canon PowerShot ZOOM

It is worth mentioning the upcoming Canon PowerShot ZOOM. We are intrigued by the design and style of this small pocket camera and how it represents a major shift in the development of Canon PowerShot cameras.

It is marketed as a pocket-sized super zoom camera that you can use to capture quality images and videos. It looks similar to a monocular or a spotting device that bird watchers and hunters use. Indeed, it has a similar function.

The Canon PowerShot ZOOM features a 12MP sensor and can record video at 1080p, 30fps. It also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and can be charged via USB. One of the best features, however, is the amazing zoom that offers focal distances of 100-400mm, and 800mm with digital enhancement.

We are excited to see this camera in action and are interested in how it could be used. Here you can see the full specifications of the Canon PowerShot ZOOM.

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