Refurbished SX50 ($249) vs. new SX60

So, like many of you, knowing that SX50 was 2 years old, I was waiting for the SX60 to come out, and having been reading many threads, can see many of you disappointed in the SX60.

I own several older DSLRS and even more lenses; tend to pixel peep; and dabbled with point and shoots 4-5 years ago, before giving them up in my closet as too slow (shutter lag back in those days).

Yet I'm contemplating a point and shoot again, just for the ability to have a camera nearby on my days at work or commuting, and, even if not satisfied with image quality of taken shots, to have the equivalent of a "digital binocular", instead of buying real binoculars for looking for birds/wildlife. I may get binocs in the future, but (perhaps due to my long years in photography) one of my eyes tends to let the other do the work, so dual optics is hard for me to adjust. And, if I ever want to grab an ID photo, a traditional binocular won't do that.

Even though I just recently bought a refurbished SL1 and a refurb 55-250 STM from Canon as my "excellent point and shoot with great image quality"; I feel it would be nice to have something even smaller and more interestingly, a super long zoom. I've been super impressed with the SX50 photos in this forum (the fella who was taking hummingbird photos)....even as a semi-pro I'm not sure i could match that with these small, susceptible to shake, point and shoots.

Canon has finally dropped its refurb price on the SX50...it's now $249 compared to $399 new at Amazon/elsewhere! But only until the end of Tuesday!

Canonpricewatch says they have over 500 in stock, so maybe they're just trying to get rid of them.

But I'm also mildly suspicious that they're about to announce the new compact with larger sensor and "long zoom" that they hinted at a couple of months ago.

That tempted me, too....but I'm thinking....it's probably not likely to be longer than 200mm, correct? On a larger sensor so maybe 400mm equivalent? And wouldn't my SL1 be better still due to the larger sensor, with the 55-250STM lens? Essentially a wash between the two, with the SL1 probably still the better option, with no shutter lag.

So...back to the 50 or 60 which provides much longer zoom. If I can convince myself that I would be satisfied with average image quality (average to the SLRs I have) and that I am primarily going to use for long distance viewing and possible ID shots, then a SX50 wouldn't be a bad purchase at this price.

I would like to do some video at some point, and so the better video on the 60 is tempting, as is the better viewfinder. That said, I'm used to OVFs....although I tried the 50 at Best Buy, at the time, didn't know how to make the EVF work (totally new to EVFs). But I'm very concerned about the graininess, so it seems I should probably pass on the 60 (and I tend to buy/be interested in the latest/greatest). Guess I've talked myself out of it, and am disappointed with Canon for increasing the megapixels on this model.

My only niggling concern (besides the fact that I don't really need another camera, and the SL1 should be enough) is that while I know and have read many glowing reviews on refurb SLRs and lenses from the Canon store, are the refurb Powershots equally as good? i.e. almost new, or problem free....

I haven't read too much about people buying refurbed Powershots...with these small one-piece cameras, are you likely to have fewer problems if you buy new? Should I wait for the price on a new 50 to drop? The way people are bad-mouthing the 60, it's possible the 50 will stay stable or become valuable, price-wise....

P.S. I do intend on buying the 7D MII as an upgrade to my 7D, and the 100-400 II which will also likely be announced soon. I should save my money. I seem to be on a Canon-buying kick, however....and I want to take more photos (or have the ability to) rather than just my professional engagements on the weekends.