The Canon PowerShot range features a wide selection of cameras that cover many different bases. High-end models with larger sensors sit alongside bulkier superzooms, but there're plenty of models to cater for more modest budgets too.
Whether you are looking for a mid-zoom range compact camera with manual controls or a more point-and-shoot minded AA-battery-powered option, the huge spectrum of PowerShot models has something for all. Here we run through each Canon PowerShot model's specifications to make it easy to see which is best for your needs.
The line-up of Canon PowerShot cameras stretches from sub-£100 compacts that offer just the basics, right up to the revered G12 that's well regarded as a capable alternative to a bulkier DSLR camera.
The new DIGIC 5 processor has started to work its way into the latest PowerShot models, though even those a few months older with the DIGIC 4 processor are still mightily capable and all models produce excellent image quality. Canon is also beginning to offer Full HD video recording in most of its PowerShot cameras, indeed there're only a handful of models that now lack this now staple feature.
So which Canon PowerShot is best for you? Whether you've £70 or £450 to splash out, the following guide will help you find the best Canon PowerShot camera for your needs…
So which PowerShot is best for you? Whether you've £100 or £400 to splash out, the following guide will help you find the best Canon PowerShot camera for your needs.
Canon PowerShot Cameras: Top-end models
Canon PowerShot G12
Price: £400
Specs: 10.0-megapixel 1/1.7in sensor, 5x zoom (28-140mm equivalent), 720p HD movie
At the helm of the hierarchy of Canon's PowerShot range is the G12, the latest in a long line of warmly received enthusiast compact cameras.
The G12's sensor is a 1/1.7in in size which is larger than your average compact sensor and produces excellent image quality.
The first G-series model to incorporate Canon's HS technology, the PowerShot G12 goes on to offer 720p movie recording, a 28mm wide-angle zoom lens and even a built-in ND filter for long exposures.
Topping it all off is a 2.8in vari-angle LCD screen on the rear with the option of an electronic level display, plus full manual control over exposure is also provided through the use of many on-camera buttons and dials.
However the G12 is starting to show its age. With the Compact System Camera market emerging as a strong category there's a lot of rumour that the G12's successor may be an interchangeable lens alternative…
Read our Canon PowerShot G12 review
Canon PowerShot S100
Price: £439
Specs: 12.1-megapixel 1/1.7in sensor, 5x zoom (24-140mm f/2.0-5.9 equivalent), 1080p HD movie
As advanced as small compact cameras can get. The S100 is, in many respects, even more impressive than its Canon G12 cousin (above), but of a far smaller build.
There's little not to like about the S100. You've got full manual control, a 5x zoom lens that outclasses its competitors in this high-end category and great image quality from the large 12.1-megapixel 1/1.7in-size sensor.
It's also one of the first Canon models to feature the DIGIC 5 processor, accompanied by Canon's HS system to produce exceptional Raw and/or JPEG images.
Other niceties include a manual control and a customisable front lens ring that makes controlling the camera all the easier. This is paired up with the ability to adjust the focus point's position, showing that user control is a priority.
Add a 3in, 460k-dot LCD screen, 1080p HD movie clip recording and Hybrid IS system to keep images sharp and focused and there's little missing from this top-spec release.
However the S100's far from cheap: the £439 price tag puts it second only to the SX40 HS's asking price in Canon's compacts range.
Read our Canon PowerShot S100 review
Canon PowerShot S95
Price: £299
Specs: 10-megapixel 1/1.7in sensor, 3.8x zoom (28-105mm f/2.0-4.9 equivalent), 720p HD movie
Until the S100 (above) was announced, the S95 was Canon's top-end super-compact PowerShot camera and it's still worth a look as it packs in a number of high-end features into its tiny chassis.
Not only do you get a 10-megapixel backlit sensor as part of Canon's HS system, but also a 28mm wide-angle lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.0 (at the wide-angle setting only, this drifts to f/4.9 at the 105mm setting), and raw shooting alongside the more standard JPEG option.
Like the S100 (above) there's manual control and a front lens ring – though the latter isn't as customisable as its newer successor. The same can be said about S95's autofocus options which, while decent, don't provide a user-definable 1-point AF positioning.
Read our Canon PowerShot S95 review
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Price: £449
Specs: 12.1-megapixel, 35x zoom (24-840mm equivalent), 1080p HD movie
With its 24-840mm beast of an optic, few photographic situations are likely to lie outside of the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS's capabilities.
Of course the SX40 HS isn't the smallest of 'compact' cameras due to the significance of its lens. It's a lot more DSLR-like in appearance, not least due to the incorporation of a 0.2in, 201k-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) that complements the 2.7in, vari-angle LCD screen.
This latest superzoom even cuts back on resolution compared to the older SX30 model (below). The latest 12.1-megapixel resolution may sound modest but it's a shred move on Canon's behalf: with less pixels on the small sensor surface the signal will be cleaner and, therefore, images are as good as they can get.
Read our Canon PowerShot SX40 HS review
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
Price: £349
Specs: 14.1-megapixel, 35x zoom (24-840mm equivalent), 720p HD movie
Externally the SX30 IS is identical to the SX40 HS. It has the same huge 24-840mm optic, meaning few photographic situations are likely to lie outside of range.
A 4.5-stop Optical Image Stabliser helps to maintain sharpness at all focal lengths, while the camera's 14.1MP sensor captures 720p movie clips in addition to its stills capabilities.
As well as full manual controls, less-experienced users who are keen on having the Canon PowerShot camera's wide focal range at their disposal will be pleased to know that Smart Auto technology is on board to instantly recognise and appropriately capture a variety of different scenes.
Almost £100 less than the newer SX40 model, the SX30 IS is an absolute bargain superzoom. Stock will be on its way out in the coming months, however, so pick one up now…
Read our Canon PowerShot SX30 IS review
Canon PowerShot Cameras: Mid-range models
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Price: £250
Specs: 12.1-megapixel, 14x zoom (28-392mm equivalent), 1080p HD movie, GPS
Almost identical to its SX220 HS launch partner (below), but with the added extra of GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) technology. Arguably this makes it the best of the Canon PowerShot cameras for travelling, although you do pay an extra £50 for the privilege.
The model is also a touch heavier because of this, but otherwise it offers the same combination of a 14x optical zoom, 3in widescreen LCD and Full HD 1080p movie recording from its 12.1-megapixel sensor (as per the SX220 HS).
Read our Canon PowerShot SX230 HS review
Canon PowerShot SX220 HS
Price: £200
Specs: 12.1-megapixel, 14x zoom (28-392mm equivalent), 1080p HD movie
With Full HD 1080p movie capture, optical zoom control during movie recording and a generous 3-inch widescreen display on the rear, the SX220 HS is among the best of the Canon PowerShot cameras for movie capture.
Yet, with its 12.1-megapixel sensor and 14x optical zoom range, it proves that it's equally happy to shoot still images in all manner of conditions. There's even full manual exposure control and slow-motion movie capture for the more adventurous photographer.
Read our Canon PowerShot SX220 HS review
Canon PowerShot SX150 IS
Price: £180
Specs: 14.1-megapixel, 12x zoom (28mm-336mm equivalent), 720p HD movie
If the budget PowerShot models aren't quite far-reaching enough then the lower-end mid-range SX150 IS is well equipped to cover all your needs.
A little more budget-minded than its SX220 and SX230 HS cousins, the PowerShot SX150 has a mid-range 12x zoom lens that covers a 28-336mm range and there's a 14.1-megapixel sensor at the camera's core.
A 720p HD movie mode sits alongside the stills options that include in-camera Creative filters such as Toy Camera and Miniature effects. Manual shooting modes or point-and-shoot ease are catered for, plus there are 32 Scene modes to cover every situation.
Read our Canon PowerShot SX150 IS review
Canon PowerShot D10
Price: £215
Specs: 12.1-megapixel, 3x zoom (35-105mm equivalent), VGA-resolution movie only, tough and waterproof
Canon's sole contribution to the waterproof compact camera category, the PowerShot D10 is looking a little long in the tooth now. It has a 3x optical zoom, 2.5in LCD and VGA movie mode, but its 12.1MP sensor is most capable and should suffice in most situations.
In addition to its 10m deep waterproof capabilities it's also fully sealed against dust and protected against drops and knocks, as well as being freeze-proof to -10°C.
Read our Canon PowerShot D10 review
Canon PowerShot Cameras: Budget models
Canon PowerShot A3300 IS
Price: £105
Specs: 16.0-megapixel, 5x zoom (28-140mm equivalent) 720p HD movie
Despite its budget price tag, the PowerShot A3300 IS boasts a 16MP sensor, a 5x optical zoom which begins at a 28mm wide-angle, and a 3in LCD screen. It also offers HD movie recording though at 720p rather than Full HD 1080p.
Other features of note include Hints and Tips to aid the novice user, Creative Filters to give images instant treatments, and Live View Control that allows options such as brightness and saturation to be easily adjusted via on-screen sliders.
Read our Canon PowerShot A3300 IS review
Canon PowerShot A3200 IS
Price: £100
Specs: 14.1-megapixel, 5x zoom (28-140mm equivalent) 720p HD movie
Just £5 less than its A3300 IS bigger brother, the A3200 is a lower-resolution 14.1-megapixel version. Elsewhere everything is much the same: the 5x optical zoom lens and 720p HD movie mode are met with a range of Creative effects including Miniature, Toy Camera and Super Vivid options.
Read our Canon PowerShot A3200 IS review
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS
Price: £120 Specs: 12.1MP, HD video: none (VGA)
Available in three separate finishes, the metal-bodied PowerShot A3100 offers a respectable blend of a 12.1MP sensor, 2.7in LCD and a 4x optical zoom, in addition to both Optical Image Stablisation and Motion Detection technologies.
Sadly there's no sign of HD video recording here, but it's a little slimmer than other budget PowerShots thanks to its rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
The handy addition of a FaceSelf-timer feature also means that the camera will automatically capture a group shot once it senses a new face in the frame.
Read our Canon PowerShot A3100 IS review
Canon PowerShot A2200
Price: £105
Specs: 14.1-megapixel, 4x zoom (28-112mm equivalent), 720p HD movie
The PowerShot A2200 differs from its cheaper siblings in offering a 14.1-megapixel sensor and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, but otherwise it's very close in specification to the entry-level A1200.
Common features between the two include 720p HD movie recording, a 2.7in LCD screen and a 4x optical zoom lens with a 28mm wide-angle and Canon's DIGIC 4 processing engine.
There's also a useful Discreet mode available through the mode dial which silences beeps and other operational sounds.
Canon PowerShot A1200
Price: £70
Specs: 12.1-megapixel, 4x zoom (28-112mm equivalent), 720p HD movie
Budget-price is the name of the A1200's game. At under the £100 mark, the A1200 is one of the most affordable Canon PowerShot cameras. However it's still able to offer 720p HD movie recording, while the 4x optical zoom begins at a generous 28mm wide-angle.
This camera goes on to boast a Smart Auto option, as well as Face Detection for 35 individual faces and a handful of Creative Filters for instant image treatments.
It's also powered by AA batteries which can be useful but you can also unexpectedly run out of juice.
Canon PowerShot A800
Price: £70 Specs: 10MP, 3.3x zoom (37–122 mm equivalent), HD video: none (VGA)
The no-nonsense A800 unites a 10MP sensor with a 37-122mm zoom lens and DIGIC III processing power.
On the back there's a 2.5in LCD display, while on the inside Canon has equipped the model with 19-scene Smart Auto technology to help optimise images in a range of conditions.
Available in black, red, silver and blue-grey finishes, other notable additions include Face Self-Timer and Blur Reduction options, as well as creative modes such as Poster Effect and Super Vivid.
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