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To compare real-life performance when zoomed-in, we shot this scene with the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS in Aperture Priority mode at all f-numbers. As before, the PowerShot SX210 IS was set to its lowest sensitivity and best-quality JPEG settings. The crops below are taken from the areas marked with the red rectangles and presented here at 100%. Note this image was shot on a different day to our first results page.

Below you’ll see crops taken from the corner and centre portions of images shot with the lens fully zoomed-in at a variety of aperture settings. On the previous page we saw how the aperture setting made a big impact on the overall contrast and sharpness of the images when the camera was fully zoomed-out, but here at the maximum focal length, there’s much less difference between them.

The reason for this is the lens on the SX210 IS, along with most other super-zooms, becomes softer and less contrasty at its longer focal lengths. This reduction in contrast and sharpness when fully zoomed-in has overshadowed much of the effect of diffraction at smaller apertures. You can really see this by glancing back at our previous two pages where the photos were taken at the wide-end of the focal range.

That said, the sample in the middle row, at an aperture of f6.3, is a little crisper than the ones on either side and the preferred setting when zoomed-in. So if you’re a pixel-peeper, it’s worth avoiding the maximum aperture of f5.9 when zoomed-in, unless you absolutely need the most light to achieve faster shutter speeds or lower ISOs, but the differences aren’t as great as seen on the previous page at wide-angle. A reduction in contrast when zoomed-in is one of the prices you pay for having such a long range, especially in a compact body.

Note: the depth-of-field is already so large on a compact like the SX210 IS, that you also won’t notice a great difference between these aperture values when attempting portraits with blurred backgrounds. You can see an example portrait at the maximum focal length and aperture in our Sample Images Gallery, and a further discussion in the Exposures section of the main review.

Now it’s time to see how the camera performs throughout its sensitivity range in our Canon PowerShot SX210 IS High ISO Noise results. Alternatively if you’ve already seen enough, head straight to our Verdict!

Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Corner sharpness at 392mm equivalent		Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Centre sharpness at 392mm equivalent
f5.9, 80 ISO		f5.9, 80 ISO
f7.1, 80 ISO		f7.1, 80 ISO
f8, 80 ISO		f8, 80 ISO