The PowerShot SX500 IS and PowerShot SX160 IS are two of the latest superzoom compacts to be released by Canon

Canon has added two superzoom compact cameras to its PowerShot range – the PowerShot SX500 IS and PowerShot SX160 IS.

Claimed to be the world’s smallest 30x optical zoom camera, the SX500 IS features a newly-developed 24mm wide angle, 30x optical zoom lens that’s small enough to fit in a travel-friendly body. The PowerShot SX160 IS is an easy-to-use superzoom, boasting a versatile lens custom-designed for this model alone. With a 28mm wide-angle and 16x optical zoom, it has the flexibility to be good for a wide range of shots.

At the heart of both the PowerShot SX500 IS and PowerShot SX160 IS is a new 16MP sensor that runs alongside Canon’s DIGIC 4 image processor. Full manual control is offered on both models and there’s a range of easy-to-use creative filters that can also be applied to movies. Some of these include a Fish-eye effect, retro-style and Toy Camera effect.

To keep handheld shots sharp, both new cameras feature Canon’s advanced optical Image Stabilizer and Intelligent IS technologies. Intelligent IS automatically selects the correct Image Stabilizer mode from seven different settings to match the subject and shooting situation – so whether you’re shooting a close-up of a baby’s face or capturing a movie on the move at full zoom, both new cameras will deliver sharp results.

Images can be composed and shared instantly on the PowerShot SX500 IS and PowerShot SX160 IS’s large 7.5cm (3.0”) LCD screen and what’s more a dedicated movie-rec button lets you shoot HD movie footage (720p) with stereo sound.


Canon has revealed the PowerShot SX500 IS will be made available from late August, priced at £279 and the PowerShot SX160 IS will hit the shelves a month after, priced at £159.