Canon PowerShot SX10 IS gets reviewed

The folks at Photography Blog offered a few first impressions about Canon's PowerShot SX10 IS when they first got their hands on it a couple of months back but, as is their nature, they've now followed things up with a decidedly more thorough review of what they describe as a "sturdy plastic brick of a camera." Among other things, they were apparently especially impressed with the SX10's "bigger and better" lens, which they say is a marked improvement over the one on the S5, and they were happy to find that both the tilt-and-swivel LCD and dedicated record button for video stuck around for this incarnation. On the downside, you'll have to do without HD video recording or RAW still shots and, while the overall ease of use is improved compared to the S5, those moving up from a point-and-shoot will still face a bit of a learning curve. There's also the small matter of the camera's price which, at $400, places it somewhat uncomfortably between some higher-end point-and-shoots and some entry-level DSLRs. Hit up the link below for some more details and, of course, plenty of sample shots.

[paul-engadget @ Nov 17th 2008 4:12PM]

according to dpreview, the sensor size is a disappointing 1/2.3 " (6.16 x 4.62 mm, 0.28 cm²)

so, canon still cripple the quality to force discerning users into buying a digital SLR, when there are many people who want a "bridge" camera and don't want an SLR, or even act as a spare camera when they already have an SLR!

[Plothole @ Nov 18th 2008 3:08AM]

I doubt there's any conspiracy to encourage dSLR sales by using smaller sensors. The price already puts people at that crossroad. More likely it was chosen in order to keep the camera fairly small; A bigger sensor would need more glass in front of it in order to achieve the same ridiculous 20x zoom.

[Jason @ Nov 18th 2008 10:22AM]

Not many superzooms have a bigger sensor, because it increases the camera size considerably. The Panasonic FZ30 and FZ50 are good examples, and they are only 12x zooms.

[TIMMAH! @ Nov 17th 2008 4:20PM]

"There's also the small matter of the camera's price which, at $400, places it somewhat uncomfortably between some higher-end point-and-shoots and some entry-level DSLRs."

Well not really. I have both a S3-IS and a DSLR. I'll use my S3 when I don't want to we weighed down with carrying my DSLR (with the associated lenses, flash, etc.) It's a good all-around travel camera. For RAW mode I can always use the CHDK firmware hack: http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

[Krush @ Nov 17th 2008 4:36PM]

Well ... I think the Pana FZ-28 make a better companion to DSLRs (with RAW mode - no hacks required!!) than the S3 - but I don't want to put down S3 yet - quite a performer - even tops S5 IMO - waiting to see if S10 betters S3 and the FZ-28.

[jorvay @ Nov 18th 2008 10:18AM]

Couldn't agree more. After determining that I did not want to deal with the burdens of an SLR, I looked at every high-end P&S out there. In the end it was down to two cameras, both Panasonics. Nothing on the market compares to the FZ18/28 or the FZ50 if you want a light, durable, versatile, do-everything camera. Not that this comes as a big surprise. Companies like Canon and Nikon focus on their dSLRs while Panasonic seems to put much emphasis on pure digital technology (i.e. upcoming G1).

[jiggajayd @ Nov 17th 2008 4:59PM]

Looks like they changed to a MOV instead of AVI file type in movie mode over the former Powershot S series cameras.

[petecomments @ Nov 17th 2008 5:05PM]

I don't get it. Why isn't the SX1 with HD movies available in the US?

http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_Camera/PowerShot/PowerShot_SX1_IS/index.asp

[FoO @ Nov 17th 2008 7:25PM]

Oh that's friggin weak. *sigh* I used to be a huge Canon fan but all this artificial limiting is making lean towards competitors. There are some nice looking Panasonics actually.

[Tom @ Nov 17th 2008 5:15PM]

If you're going to spend $400, I'd drop a few extra bones and get a true DSLR. For example, the Canon EOS Rebel XS 10.1 MP DSLR is now available for $475. Link: http://www.techdealdigger.com/deals/canon-eos-rebel-xs-101-mp-474-at-amazon/5054

[Rob @ Nov 17th 2008 7:36PM]

I think a DSLR is just a different animal. I have an S3 (old version of this camera) and a D70 (DSLR), and find many times a portable camera is more appropriate for the occasion (when quality doesn't have to be amazing). An SLR with just one modest lens is a lot more to lug around (let alone the huge lens necessary to match the SX10.). Sure, if you need quality, get a DSLR. But many people don't, and many people find they don't use there camera as much if it means lugging around a big camera bag with a camera, lenses, etc.

[Rob @ Nov 17th 2008 7:42PM]

Oh, also note that the SX10 makes nice movies, with stereo mics. It's really useful to have a camera that can take decent movies, and this camera can really function as a decent SD video camera (I know my old S3 does decent SD video, albeit it makes huge AVI movie files). It's a really nice "do everything" camera.

[grggls @ Nov 17th 2008 6:14PM]

sweet mother of fuff, that's an ugly camera.

[lanejasper69 @ Nov 17th 2008 9:01PM]

Why on earth Canon, this looks like a fisher rice toy, I know, I know, if it performs who cares right? But, this looks like a bloated body that was under the water for a few weeks and then surfaced. I prefer something a little more "grab-able" this looks bulky and slippery and quite honestly, kinda well, bloaty.

My 2¢

"Fas"

[adam @ Nov 17th 2008 9:18PM]

I've tested this one, and shot some model photos for tallkiss.com, frankly i don't like its "bigger and better lens"

[JERRY @ Nov 17th 2008 9:45PM]

I currently have a Canon S2 IS but plan on buying the SX10 IS. I love the feature of the swing out LCD. Ii wish Canon would adapt this feature to their DSLR's.

[vypergts @ Nov 17th 2008 11:00PM]

I just picked up this camera at work to replace an old powershot. I paid $350 online and so far I'm happy. We have an S3 also and I have an S5 personally. I like them because non-photographers can use them easily and they take really good pictures for what we do. I hate that NONE of them can shoot RAW without hacks though...

[tim @ Nov 18th 2008 10:15AM]

Being that this is an S series Canon camera, it almost assuredly will have RAW ability enabled by a CHDK firmware upgrade.

[Jason @ Nov 18th 2008 10:27AM]

Maybe I'm missing it, but I don't see any criticism of its extremely slow (f/5.7) telephoto aperture. That's the big flaw with this camera. For comparison, Canon's previous 12x superzooms were f/3.5 at the long end; more than a stop faster. There's not much point in having a small superzoom if you need a tripod much of the time.

[Plothole @ Nov 20th 2008 1:15AM]

Well that's the thing: Those are 12x, this is 20x. It goes without saying that the extra range would make it more difficult to keep a wide aperture at the telephoto end.

[BEC @ Nov 18th 2008 2:00PM]

This camera costs $289-339 on most sites, not $400 unless they are overpricing. With all the options packed in at this price it's a rather attractive buy. It has facial recognition which works great, low light shots have not been a problem and so far it has been a very fun camera to use. Going from an S5 IS to this has been a nice upgrade, I like having the 20x optical zoom capability (effective zoom 28-560mm).

Yes there are better cameras out there, but from a cost vs. features standpoint not many can compare. For those not looking to spend a lot of money on a full function DSLR with multiple lenses this is a nice option.

About the only thing I do not like about it is the cheaper look and feel compared to my S5 IS.


The SX1 IS is the next step up in this line, it adds full 1080p (30fps) High Definition video - ready for instant playback on any HDTV via a built-in HDMI connection, CD Quality Stereo Sound, Canon’s Advanced Tele-Converter for an extra 2x zoom with no loss in movie quality, 2.8" LCD screen, 4 FPS high speed shooting, and Canon's WC-DC300 wireless remote for shooting and playback.

[Vivian @ Nov 24th 2008 10:20AM]

Where did you find this camera for that price? The lowest I have found is 335 and I am interested in buying it. Thanks

[Wwhat @ Nov 19th 2008 11:12AM]

I don't see any pictures displayed on that site, I guess it's some java crap to prevent adblocker? Any way it'll go into my blocklist then, thanks for the effort. and have fun at home alone rubbing your precious ads till they shine.

[tealfixie @ Nov 19th 2008 11:43AM]

am i the only one that finds dpreview a funny website name?

[James @ Dec 18th 2008 12:06AM]

Man I LOVE this camera! I picked one up at http://www.canonpowershot.org for cheap, and have been loving it ever since. The quality of the pictures is second to none for the price.