The SX500 IS caters to photographers who want a lot of zoom for little cash. It succeeds well at this task, though image-quality purists will bemoan the lack of RAW and visible fringing issues on photos.

Small and lightweight; 60x Zoom Plus feature works well for low-res shots; Simple to use

Video-only 720p; Screen is difficult to see in sunlight; Average video quality

Super-zoom cameras have traditionally occupied a position in the market in between compact cameras and more advanced cameras such as DSLRs and CSCs , but with advances in lens technology over the past few years, compact cameras have been getting ever more powerful zoom lenses, while CSCs and their

Size; Zoom range; Low-light AF performance; Manual exposure

Lens quality; Video mode

It wasn't so long ago that a 30x optical zoom was unheard of in a compact. Now it's quite the norm for superzooms to have such far-reaching lenses, but the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS manages to squeeze its 24-720mm (equivalent) lens into a small body and at a cut price too.

Big zoom; small body; decent image stabilisation; good close-up performance (at wide-angle); full manual controls; reasonable price for the feature set

Image quality not up there with other Canon compacts; lens has issues with purple and green fringes (chromatic aberrations)

I bought this camera as a present to my hubby. We've had it for weeks, and we do a lot of outdoor and kids photos. He has taken some really great shots a. Overall I would say that it is a really fun camera and it has a really great zoom. Can take acceptable pictures at really far distances.

Very compact; light and easy to use - and with a remarkable 30x optical zoom; especially at this price

I can't find any fault with how it performs

The most amazing thing about the PowerShot SX500 IS is that Canon managed to make a 30x 24-720mm lens, attach it to a body, and have it only be 4 inches deep and weigh 12 ounces -- with its battery.

It has its limitations, but the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS is a good choice for zoom addicts on a budget.

The Canon PowerShot SX500 IS holds an ultrawide-angle 30x zoom lens in a very small, very light body; It offers more shooting options -- including semimanual and manual controls -- than most in its class, and has very good optical image stabilization.

Despite autofocus improvements, the SX500 IS' shooting performance might still be too slow for action shots, especially indoors; It's not a great choice for handheld low-light shots.

If you are on a budget and want a high-zoom full-body camera, you will love the PowerShot SX500.

The PowerShot's wide-angle lens offers a 30x zoom and has both manual and semi-manual controls

This digital bridge camera only records video in 720p HD

The Canon PowerShot SX500 IS represents something of an anomaly in that it straddles the gap somewhere between ultracompact and superzoom. The first thing that strikes you about it is the size; it's a very small camera, and yet within its diminutive body Canon has somehow managed to engineer a 30x...

Compact design despite large zoom; Full manual controls; Good image quality

Body doesn't feel particularly solid; No electronic viewfinder; No Raw capture

I have had this camera since the middle of December 2012. I bought it as a tag along camera for use on quick walks and when carrying a bag with equipment is not desirable. My first choice would have been the Canon G12 or Nikon equivalent, however the price points on these were more than I cared to...

I have had this camera since the middle of December 2012; I bought it as a tag along camera for use on quick walks and when carrying a bag with equipment is not desirable; My first choice would have been the Canon G12 or Nikon equivalent, however the price points on these were more than I cared to...

None yet

Just bought this recently and it's my first digital camera. I haven't used all the features yet but I really, REALLY like it so far. I have taken hundreds of pictures and hope to take thousands more. Maybe I'll even become a better photographer because it's so easy and fun to use.

great zoom and clear pictures

nothing so far

This camera has a lot of great features and some that are not so great. The zoom is awsome. I was able to take a picture of a bald eagle that was sitting high on a power tower. It was clear, sharp and it looked like he was sitting right in front of me. Outdoor pictures are beautiful.