Canon’s PowerShot SX240 HS continues the company’s ongoing trend of producing accessible compacts that feel as comfortable in one’s hand as they are intuitive to photograph with.

 

We have yet to come across a recent PowerShot that we didn’t like, and the SX240 is certainly no exception to this trend. As expected, the build quality is top notch, as the camera feels solid from top to bottom, as well as tough enough to weather every day abuse. Additionally, at 231 g, the compact isn’t going to weigh you down.

 

 

Even more importantly, the layout of the camera’s controls and buttons are well thought out, as all the controls rest easily within reach of one’s right thumb and index finger. A bright pop-out flash is stealthily concealed on the left hand side of the camera’s body, but available when needed.

 

Modes on offer include aperture priority (f3.5 to f8), shutter priority (15 seconds up to 1/3200), and program priority. While live view and auto are user friendly for the casual shooter, an easy mode caters for the beginning photographer. Portrait, fish eye effect, discreet (which turns off distracting sounds) and movie modes are also onboard.

 

Sensitivity wise, ISO settings on offer range from 100 to 3200, while focusing options included normal, manual and macro, with the last of these particularly impressing and catering for our need to get up close and personal with flowers.

 

 

Kudos have to be given to the 20x optical zoom, which effectively delivers a 25 mm to 500 mm range. When coupled with the quick and responsive autofocus, it was a joy to use. As to image quality, the 12.1 megapixel similarly delivers the goods, both in lower light indoors and strong sunlight outdoors.

 

This also held true for the full HD (1920x1080p) video on offer, along with less space hungry 1280 x 720 and 640 x 480 options. Either way, video is accessed via its own dedicated button, and users can further take full advantage of the full zoom range while recording.