06 February 2026

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS at Intaka Island

Pre-training Session Images at Intaka Island, Cape Town

Environmental Education Centre Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Environmental Education Centre Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS in Action

While waiting for one of my clients for a Canon Birds in Flight photography training session at Intaka Island yesterday, I took out my 2012 Canon PowerShot SX50 HS for a few images around the island. With good light and some patience the camera delivers good RAW (CR2) processable images in Adobe Lightroom.

History of Intaka Island

African Sacred Ibis Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
African Sacred Ibis Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

African Swamphen Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
African Swamphen Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Dry Wild Flower Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Dry Wild Flower Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Wild Flower Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Wild Flower Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Intaka Island Wall Map : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Intaka Island Wall Map : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Old Locomotive outside Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Old Locomotive outside Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Old Locomotive outside Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Old Locomotive outside Intaka Island : Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

With its 12-MP sensor (2012) and RAW file support the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS can still deliver a few reasonable images. 

The older Canon PowerShot SX50 HS is effective in good light. The Image Stabilisation at 50x zoom works remarkedly well for such a small sensor camera attached to a '1200 mm' lens.

Note: The SX50 HS is not a DSLR camera. The 50X zoom lens is the only lens permanently attached to the camera. The latest PowerShot SX HS model is the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS - be aware that the SX70 HS does not have an external hotshoe for Canon Speedlite flashes. 

Zinnia with Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Settings

  • AV Mode 
  • Aperture: f/5.6
  • Auto-ISO
  • 215mm (35mm equivalent 1249mm)
  • Raw File Format (CR2)
  • IS On / Handheld

RAW to JP Post-Processing

  • Lightroom Classic Version 14.5

Birding Photography Training Intaka Island