Canon PowerShot SX10IS: From the Mountain to An Intimate Closeup (Canon Powershot SX10 IS)

Member Name: maswid

Product:	Canon Powershot SX10 IS
Date:	24/12/08 (1282 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 20x Optical Zoom, Face Detection, Hotshoe, HD Movie Recording, Vari-Angle LCD

Disadvantages: Slow continuous shooting

This latest jewel for the prosumer camera from Canon was introduced together with its sibbling the Canon Powershot SX1 IS as a replacement to the older Powershot S5IS. These types of camera are particularly useful if you don't want to lug around your heavy DSLR. With a fraction of DSLR weight, you could cover a view as wide as 28mm and as close as 560 mm. Such an extensive range is more than enough for casual shooter to cover almost any type of object.

What is the main difference between this model and its sibbling the Canon Powershot SX1S? It is the sensor! Canon Powershot SX10 IS still uses the CCD-type sensor while its bigger sibbling sports a CMOS-type sensor. The latter also presents in Canon's DSLR models. It seems like that is the reason why the older sibbling is more expensive. The maximum resolution for this model is 10 MP. So it seems, like Canon is not interested in megapixel racing for these particular models.

Canon's decision to retain the hotshoe in both models are something that I really appreciate. While other manufacturers may not consider the presence of hotshoe on this prosumer camera as something important, I found out that this feature is as important in a prosumer camera as it is in DSLR Camera. It will allow more creative controls and more power. Something that built in flash can never provide.

As in the older Canon S5 IS, this model is also equipped with vari-angle LCD Screen. It is somewhat useful and will allow the photographer to shoot in an awkward angles. Canon puts the hinge on the right side of its LCD Screen similar to the previous models. Personally, however, I prefer the variangle model like the one in Sony or Fuji models.

Both Canon SX models are also equipped with Face Detection features which is able to identify up to 35 faces. Very useful indeed when you try to take group pictures.

The picture quality is typical Canon: clean, crisp, and almost noise free (in low ISO). I haven't tried the Canon Powershot SX1S. But, I would imagine that it might provide an even better picture quality with CMOS Sensor.

Beside recording still pictures, both models (Canon PowerShot SX10IS and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS are capable of recording HD (High Definition) video as well. Very nice features indeed.

Summary: A Camera with Extensive Zoom Range when a DSLR Camera is Just Too Heavy

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