Canon PowerShot N2 Review | 108 Data compared

The Canon PowerShot N2, a minor update to its predecessor, features a unique, compact design with a sharp 28-224mm equivalent 8x zoom lens and a 180-degree tilting touchscreen, making it suitable for selfie-focused users. It also offers robust Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity and a Creative Shot mode with 46 filters. However, the, camera is hampered by awkward, unconventional ergonomics that lack physical zoom/shutter controls, leading to handling issues. Furthermore, the N2 suffers from a weak flash, no external charger, and 1080p video quality that exhibits grain and rolling shutter.

The Canon PowerShot N2 is a stylish, unique, and capable camera featuring good image quality, effective Wi-Fi connectivity, and a responsive touchscreen interface. It is well-suited for users seeking an unconventional, compact design for everyday photography. However, the camera has a high price tag relative to its features, along with limited battery life and reduced flash size. Furthermore, the lack of a traditional shutter button and zoom rocker compromises handling compared to cheaper alternatives.

The Canon PowerShot N2 ($299.99) is a minor, pocket-sized upgrade to its predecessor that increases its sensor resolution to 16 megapixels and improves video recording to 1080p at 30fps. The camera features a sharp 8x zoom lens (28-224mm equivalent), a tilting 2.8-inch touch-screen display ideal for selfies, a Creative Shot mode that applies artistic filters, and built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity. In benchmark testing, it performs well for a compact device, starting and shooting in 1.4 seconds with a quick 0.1-second focus lock, while keeping image noise levels under 1.5% through ISO 1600. However, the camera receives an average 3.0 rating primarily due to an "oddball," square design that makes it downright awkward to use. It lacks a traditional shutter button and zoom rocker, forcing users to twist and push narrow rings around the lens instead. Additional disadvantages include a limiting 28mm wide-angle lens, very few physical controls, a weak LED flash, and a modest continuous shooting speed of 2.2fps. Furthermore, it lacks an external battery charger—requiring in-camera USB charging—and its low-light image quality significantly trails behind competitors like the...

The Canon PowerShot N2 receives an average 3.0 out of 5 rating because its unique, squarish design makes it awkward and difficult to handle. While it features a sharp lens with 8x optical zoom, an improved 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, and 1080p30 video capability, its physical usability remains fundamentally flawed. Instead of a traditional shutter button and zoom toggle, users must twist and push control rings surrounding the lens, which is highly inefficient. On the positive side, the camera offers a convenient, tilting touch-screen display that is great for selfies, built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for smartphone pairing, and an automated Creative Shot mode that generates five distinct artistically filtered crops of a single photo. However, its numerous performance and design limitations hold it back from being a recommended buy. The 28mm wide-angle focal length is more restrictive than its competitors, and the small 1/2.3-inch sensor struggles significantly with image blur and detail loss at or above ISO 800. It is equipped with a weak, low-power LED light rather than a traditional camera flash, and its continuous shooting speed is limited...

The Consumer Reports review of the Canon PowerShot N2 highlights a highly portable, 16-megapixel camera featuring an 8x optical zoom lens and a 2.8-inch tilting touchscreen. The camera offers very good overall photo quality, particularly for outdoor daytime, landscape, and natural light, in-door photography. Consumer Reports However, the review notes significant cons, including a weak, uneven built-in flash and a lack of manual controls or a traditional viewfinder. The unique, compact design can feel awkward in hand, using a lens ring for both zooming and shooting, and it relies strictly on microSD cards for storage.

The Wall Street Journal reviews four specialized compact cameras designed as creative alternatives to smartphones, including the durable, waterproof Ricoh WG-30W and the retro-styled, accurate-viewfinder Minox DCC 14.0. The WG-30W excels with macro LED lighting but lacks advanced connectivity, while the Minox suffers from poor low-light performance and limited video capability. The Canon PowerShot N2 features a versatile lens-ring shutter and flip-up screen, though its unique form factor requires a steep learning curve. Finally, the Polaroid Snap blends digital capture with instant physical printing, aimed at bringing tactile enjoyment back to photography.

The Canon PowerShot N2 review on the Tales of Annie Bean blog highlights the device as an ultra-compact, travel-friendly camera that delivers impressive image quality despite its tiny size. The reviewer tested the camera extensively during trips out of the country and at festivals like Glastonbury. Priced at £249 at the time of review, the camera stands out for its unique square build and its 180-degree flip-up touchscreen display, which the author found perfect for vlogging on YouTube and taking high-quality selfies on the go. Key technical specifications highlighted include a 16-to-16.9 megapixel resolution, an 8x optical zoom with a wide-angle lens, 1080p Full HD movie capabilities, built-in Wi-Fi for instant online sharing, and a space-saving Micro SD card slot. The reviewer noted distinct pros and cons regarding the camera's overall handling and functionality. On the positive side (pros), the camera's minimal, pocket-sized dimensions are a major selling point for influencers who want to cut back on carrying bulky gear without sacrificing image resolution. The 8x optical zoom also performed surprisingly well, maintaining sharp clarity even when photographing distant subjects...