Bingo, white bal was set for a previous shoot, it was the nut behind the wheel after all. Thanks.
Linda From Maine wrote:
There may be a setting that's only available in those modes, such as a white balance choice, and you at one time accidentally, or on purpose, changed it.
My advice is to re-set the camera to factory settings. It's one of the choices in the menu. If that doesn't work, Canon has a customer service dept specifically for the sx50 (and a toll-free number).