Canon - PowerShot SX530 16.0-Megapixel HS Digital Camera - Black

I picked this up because my old point-and-shoot has been acting up and I wanted something better for a trip to the EAA. Yes, it's bigger and "bulkier" - which for me is great, as tiny, thin cameras disappear in my hands. The physical controls give good feedback and don't feel loose. Some of the features take a bit of looking to find when you're not used to them. I bought this and a 128 Gb card at the same time - I never have to worry about running out of storage - but I should have bought a second, larger battery. The default 1030 mah battery lasted about two hours (of near constant shooting, admittedly) - which didn't work for an all day event. I've since ordered two backup batteries with larger capacity. Photo-wise, it's done quite well, even at capturing moving objects. The problem tends to be the photographer, not the subject, in my case! As a mid-ground camera, between point and shoot and DSLR, it's pretty good - and won't break the bank.

I am an amateur concert photographer. I went to see Alice Cooper recently and wanted to take photos, but I couldn't bring in my DSLR because I didn't have a photo pass for this show. So I went to Best Buy and bought this camera just for that show. I was extremely impressed with the photo quality for such a small camera! It's not quite DSLR quality, but it's still pretty awesome! I'm posting a few photos from that show to give you an idea of what can be done with this camera (all without the flash). I will also say that I'm a Nikon girl all the way, but I went with the Canon in this case because it had a longer zoom than the comparable Nikon CoolPix and because it had a manual mode. The lack of manual mode on the Nikon was the deciding factor between the two, and I definitely think I made the right choice!

There are a host of positive adjectives that come to mind in regards to Canon's SX530, the first of which is versatile. More than a basic point and shoot, Canon offers you manual modes, useful auto modes, and a hi def camcorder in a lightweight package. A few years ago I ditched my digital camcorder and camera in favor of my smartphone for the sake of portability, but really missed the image quality my stand alones offered. Snapping pictures or 2 minute videos of the kids meant knowing they would be ants, indistinguishable from classmates. Maybe I've matured a bit or more likely I'm sick of missing memories far too often, so I once again chose Canon to capture them for me. Intuitive interface, clear labeling, and much easier to hold than an oddly shaped camcorder, I snapped more than 200 photos my first weekend. If you're looking for a great camera with real zoom capability, first class ergonomics and picture quality, the SX530 is a bargain at any price.

I've had several Canon Powershot cameras during the last 20 years and I'm always very pleased about the quality of them. This one replaced my Powershot SX160 IS.Biggest selling point for SX530 HS is the incredible level of zoom and the sensitivity of the sensor. The picture of the moon was taken without the use of a tripod and all the settings were on auto. Good quality camera without spending a fortune.

Overall I really love this camera but there are a couple things I'd change about it. One, the lens cover doesn't automatically pop off when you turn the camera on--very annoying if you're used to a camera that pops it off. I would also like to see some of the basic functions like the Light Metering in Program Mode being easier to get at quickly, to adjust to shooting conditions. The time from pressing the shutter button to the aperture opening is instantaneous---a major drawback of older Canon cameras, which I'm really happy they've improved! The colors are really good, the photos clear and sharp even at full zoom handheld, without a tripod. With a tripod they're even better--I've been able to get fantastic moon photos!

This camera was purchased by my wife for our Alaskan Cruise. The camera was easy for her to use and she was able to produce many great pictures without having to use many of the exotic camera features. The one major disadvantage of the camera is the video recording feature. The battery power was quickly drained in a mater of 30 seconds during our whale watching quest!

Had a Best Buy associate talk with me for 10 minutes about this camera and his pitch made the sale. I had a budget of $400 for a digital starter camera and this one was on sale. Out the door along with a 32gb memory card for under $400. It shoots great close up as well as full zoom. Easy to get used to the bells and whistles as well as the big screen for composing shots. Looking forward to mastering the settings. Auto mode has given me great shots indoor and outdoor, low light, full sun and backlit. Its a great investment.

light and easy to operate. the zoom is great . this kind of camera is much different from what I was use to. a great upgrade for me.