Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

This is a tough one. I overbuy on equipment, so I saw a chance to get 1080p video at a good price on a camera that should by all rights take great pictures, too. Well, the video is fantastic. The compression mode is something most modern non-linear editors can handle without conversion, and the photographic capabilities, considering the long lens, are there. BUT as I said, I overbuy. When I was picking up a used SX1 IS I also couldn't resist picking up a used S5 IS. Head to head the S5 wins the image quality race going away. Since by the time you read this review you will already be down to used or refurb options, it's no longer a question of "the newest thing". Either you HAVE to have FULL HD or you don't. If you are going for Image Quality, step down to the S5 and be happy to get such an excellent camera before the Megapixel wars ruin everything good.

That said, the SX1 is a great little camera. I like the one I have very much, and would generally take it FIRST to new and uncharted things like hikes to scenic places. Neither camera handles low light superbly, so it becomes about the video in the end. But if I was going someplace I knew exactly what I would see and knew I only wanted stills, I'd grab the S5 everytime. The S5 IS is a great little box. The Sx1 is a camera too far. I think the NEXT item Canon produces with full HD is gonna be better, it would almost have to be.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

the zoom is incredible. we are fostering 3 puppies right now they were out back and there was an awesome "pic" of one so i went for my camera i knew if i opened the door the shot would be lost. shot through the back door with zoom almost maxed i got an unbelievable picture!!!! The auto shoot is easy to use and the pics are really nice. impressive. the macro/super macro is great. sell jewelry do some selling on line and now my pics are impressive. Really good detail and color. Continious shooting really quick and nice. trying to catch 3 puppies isn't easy. Oh and 4 small grandchildren. Lots of great features and great pic quality highly reccommend!!!

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

The vari angle LCD is really usefull and versatile...the wireless shutter included was a nice surprise too.
The HD Video is one big plus.....
For that low price you can´t find more. :)

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

Incredible 20x zoom. With this camera I took amazing pictures of 2010 Daytona 500 race and made a lot of Full HD videos with a wonderful quality and stereo sound. I do recomend this camera.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

I bought this SX1/IS when my G7 died on the boat right in front of the Statue of Liberty in NY. The purpose were to replace the G7 with this one as a handy tool for occasional shootings. By that time I was not happy about G9-G10. Please don't take me wrong - I can not simply slide it into my pocket like the G7 anymore. The being said, the tilt LCD display helped a lot when doing hand held shooting especially when in a crowded environments. Many times I just stood behind the folks and raise the SX1 overhand with the lcd pad facing down to me - I was the tripod in this case. The built-in video function is also very convenience when taking pictures you may also tape it and store the image/video on the same chip. Based on my testings, I was able to use a 32GB SD card to take hours of hours of presentation at conference without having to replace the memory chip and in the mean time taking pictures from the event. The 560 optical lens is amazing. I had several occasions such as shooting the cardinal feeding their kids both in video and photo format using this great lens. The image and video both came out incredibly good. I got the class 6 32GB SD card from newegg which works with this camera just fine. This camera is using regular AA battery. It is an advantage to be able to find the AA battery anywhere when you are traveling around. However, I would highly recommend to use the professional charger offered from [...] to take care of the battery - it is the one that has LCD display to measure the right rate to charge the rechargeable battery and keep the battery full while maintain a good battery life. Once you have good pack of batteries and a good chip - enough for the trip, you are ready to fly with this SX1 IS. I have to mention that its operation is very quite, fast, and the quality of image is satisfied. Low light shooting is also pretty descent based on my testings. I also discovered that this camera did not like filters, even the UV filters. I tried to keep an UV filter on it while taping video, it frequently lost focus and drop me off the scene. Once I took off the filter lens, it works just fine. Therefore be careful if you keep the uv lens on it while taping video - it is not good and will loose autofocus quickly. Above all, if you don't like to spend too much on the EOS-1D series, this might be the best choice based on my test to do "powershoot". Recently I just noticed that the G11 came out with the tile LCD as well. Compare with G11, the price is close however the lens from SX1 should tell that what is really different. That is why I think it is a hibernate tooldesigned to live in compact and professional. Above all, I like this camera and wish to share the experience with others.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

This camera is very complete, easy, fast, zoom very good, FULL HD woaww, just for me and my travelers. Easy funtions, easy configuration, great software and just price.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

I carry this one with me everywhere I go. It is so handy and the images are impressive. They video looks great and the zoom lens is as good as I've seen for video and auto focus. I am amazed at the ability to quickly focus even on moving subject (airplanes, sailboats, birds) and track as you pan.

I like it and I would recommend it.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

Great camera with alot of all around features, to compliment.
HD video with awesome zoom for still pictures and multiple focus points.
Also comes with a remote for taking pictures and playback.

Lens Cover not the greatest..

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

Purchased this about a year ago (before it was available in the States). What sold me was the image sensor, the zoom, and the HD video capability. I am very happy with the camera. I purchased the ikelite underwater housing for the camera and it also works great. I have yet to use a strobe with the housing. For on-land use, we bought a small canon flash. It is much brighter than the flash on the camera. Like most camera/flash combos, this camera tends to overexpose pictures taken with a flash. This is easily fixed by using the exposure compensation. We also purchased the lensmate filter adapter for the camera. It attaches to where the hood would attach and allows the use of standard filters. We bought a red filter for underwater use. I am sure the image quality can not compare to a DSLR with specific lenses. Then again, the price is not even close to the cost of a DSLR with designated lenses. For me, the convenience of not carrying extra lenses and the cost savings outweigh any loss of quality. Besides, my eyes are not good enough to pick up on the weaknesses of the camera when I look at the photos. The video looks great. I shot a 12 minute movie at about 80ft in Key West and the movie looks great on our 50inch TV. As with any video camera, the brighter the conditions you're shooting in, the better the video quality. I wouldn't expect this camera to take spectacular video at night without the help of a light. My next purchase for this camera is going to be a strobe and a video light for underwater use. Last thing, we only use lithium batteries in ours. They seem to last long enough to make their added cost worthwhile.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

I use a full size pro camera most of the time. I purchased the SX1 as a camera I could keep with me all the time.. I've had great success with this camera. It is lightweight, takes AA batteries and has a 20x zoom which is something like a 500mm lens.. It takes good crisp photos at all focus lengths. The screen is hinged and moveable. This is the best of all the point and shoot cameras I have owned.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

Good camera for the amateur in need of something better than P&Ss. Long zoom is a must in travel photography.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

I found this camera easy to use and like the way it feels in my hand. Controls are relatively simple and well positioned so you don't find yourself fumbling in low-ligh looking for the right button to push.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

Several features on this camera really make it shine, the tilt-shift desplay and its resolution and refresh rate, the video performance and ease of use, the hot shoe with EX speedlights and the CMOS sensor with RAW.

As others have stated, the general low-light performance of this camera is less than stellar. With its small sensor and huge zoom this is almost to be expected but is still not a strong selling point in its favor. Add a speedlight to it, I have an older 420ex on mine, and the world changes drastically and pictures, even standard jpgs, are stunning. As with dSLR bodies the built in flash, if they even have one, is greatly underpowered and is not a good primary light source but is good for fill and catch lights.

The video performance is as good as others have stated and the ease of use makes it a definite boon and possibly too tempting to shoot videos. The ability to shoot videos in any mode with the simple push of a well protected button and the ability to take full resolution stills while filming is very seductive. In low light, video recording does not benefit from the exposure or flash performance of stills. Daylight filming is simply awesome. An issue, besides filming too much (filling an 8gig card in under a week) is the file sizes are huge and the camera has a better processor then most peoples computers. My top-of-the line (but from five years ago, lol) desktop, which I have added a ton of memory to, chokes on the videos. They end up looking like a slide show with sound. Downloading the latest zoombrowser update from canon's website helps but not a lot. A 4s clip, at full res, is over 20mb. As I do not have an HDMI tv I need to school myself not to film at full resolution except for important events. Videos at 640x480 and 30fps are still a decent replacement for stand alone video recorders for those of us who are not videophiles.

The best features of this camera are the CMOS sensor and the processor. On the processor, even videos are essentially written as the file is recorded giving little or no wait time. The ability to shoot at 4 fps, until the card is full, is a huge selling point for me as is the ability to shoot RAW. A note of RAW. Someone above commented that the RAW images on this camera are soft. With every dSLR canon has released this has been criticized. This is not a fault with the camera or the software, etc., but is a design philosophy by Canon. The RAW images are under-sharpened, by most peoples' standards, as they are designed to be post processed allowing the photographer to add sharpening as he or she sees fit. Personally, I like that I do not have to fight the camera or start with images sharpened as I like to create the best image I can and sharpen them to an appropriate level for the output size. To me, this is a feature not a negative.

The images this camera produces have the same 'quality' about them that Canon's dSLRs have been noted for for many years. I was stunned that the images from this 1/2.3" sensor-ed digicam can honestly compete with my d10 bodies. For casual shooting, ie. pictures of my 7 month old first born, family events, vacations, etc., this camera really is a dream come true when I do not want, or cannot, bring my dSLR bodies and 5-6 lenses. As I tend to shoot wildlife, portraits, and macro photography, the lens on this digicam has a wider angle of view then I currently have on my dSLRs (with my 28-85 f2.8 I am bottoming out at about 45mm, it has not been worth the cost to buy a high enough quality true wide angle lens for me).

Negatives, as already stated its low light abilities could be better. Also, I really do not like the sensitivity of the rear control wheel. I want to change the Av setting and end up cycling through the macro modes or the manual focus. This is really annoying and detracts a bit from joy of use. If there is a lock out to shut down the four point menus I have yet to find it, if there isn't there really should be. The metal (yay!) tripod screw is not on the center line of the lens/sensor plain. The camera is significantly larger than the S1-is which it replaces for me and does not fit in its case (nor does it allow the old remote to be used). I would also have liked to see an easy way to attach filters.

As an aside I was very pleased to see the lens shade and remote were included. I would strongly suggest that people purchase the plug in power adaption for this camera especially if you enjoy the video recording and tend to edit files on the camera.

This camera, and all other digicams, cannot replace a dSLR for a professional or advanced amateur. The relatively slow lens, F2.8-5.6, and tiny sensor do not allow for much creativity when it comes to depth of field. Even at maximum aperture there is little or no delineation between the subject focus and background. This will always be the case until digicams begin to have much larger sensors and or the lenses they include are much faster. If someone wants or needs to be able to record technically creative images or needs to have zero lag time for shutter response, etc., a dSLR (or film) is still the only way to go.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

This camera is amazing!! I took the best picture that I have ever taken on this camera. I got a pic of a raccoon close up!!

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

Great pictures and great videos. Love its zoom.
Not very strong construction.
Easy to loose its lens cover. Take care!!

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

I purchased this camera for my office after having used the S2 and S5 for years in my personal photography. Overall the staff is happy with the camera and they would recommend other to purchase this.

I have a few issues though. The first being the lens cap that is not attached to the camera in any way. How crazy is that? Surely there must have been a way for canon to have a lens hood attachment and the lens cap. I anticipate the cap is lost within 2 weeks.

Second, I am disappointed in the quality of the video. While the HD is great, the camera is constantly trying to focus and blurring the picture. I never had this problem with the S2 or S5 and find it really annoying. I know I can change some settings to fix this but that means not being able to quickly throw it into video from auto setting and roll.

And lastly, the pics just don't seem as crisp as those from the older "S" models. Not sure what the issue is and haven't had enough time to decide if its an ISO issue or what.

Overall we are pleased but I think Canon still has some work to do.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

Great speed to focus and shooting
Amazing video quality and sound
Very easy to trigger video recording
Little space to hold the camera. Too many buttons around that can be touch accidentaly.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

Really love the SX1 IS ability to take HD video. I am using the SX1 IS to video my son's golf swing. Video is great! In addition, it takes great pictures and is very easy to use. If you are looking for a camera with allot of features and that delivers, this may be the camera for you.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

I've been a photographer for a lot of years and have shot with everything from 35mm to 4x5 plate film, from first generation digital Casio 480x240 to >10 mpx DSLRs. For 5 years my favorite was a Rebel DSLR. I took almost 40,000 shots with it and I was very satisfied with that camera. Over the past couple years I've purchased several Canon SX series cameras; SX3, SX5, SX10 and now the SX1 and now with 3 months and 80 gig of photos and video experience with the SX1 I think I can offer a fair review for about anyone who may be looking at it.

The SX1 isn't for everyone, especially pros that really count on DSLR quality. The SX1 has several very nice features that produce some really WOW shots and videos but there are some pretty strict guidelines you have to follow to get those WOW results, and those results aren't as consistent as a DSLR. Pros won't use this as the main camera although it can be a great "carry anywhere" type camera. I keep it in my utility bag with my iPod and basic personal utility tools.

Those of us that are used to DSLR "feel" will have a little trouble with the weight and balance of the SX(anything) simply because it's so different than what we're used to. If you haven't had a SLR/DSLR hanging from your side for the better part of 30 years then it may not feel as weird to you. My hands, arms and elbows have learned how to take pictures with a SLR/DSLR and retraining them has taken time. The SX is easy to use and, with a little retraining, has some great advantages for getting good pictures. Now that I'm getting a little older I don't like to stoop and lay on the ground to get shots as much as I used to. The swivel viewfinder makes getting those types of photos very easy still, just remember to take your glasses along. Polarized glasses don't work well in that case.

Photos shot at 80 and 100 ISO look very good if you have enough light. Anything above 100 ISO starts to artifact and if you use the 2x extender it gets grizzly, still usable for smaller format shots, not enlargements. Video shot using 2x is still OK and a little jittery even with the IS kicked in. I wish F8 wasn't the extent of the iris but I have a feeling that anything smaller might attenuate incoming light a little too much with that size pickup. I photograph birds in the wild and have captured some spectacular, crisp photos on bright days at extreme zoom while leaning on something. Everything shot in lower light is fairly useless because the CMOS just doesn't work well unless it gets a lot of light. The key with this camera is to have a lot of light if you want to use the shots for something other than a memory book. On the other hand I have seen some of the medium light shots produce a silky, almost 35mm grain, quality. One of the really neat things about this camera is that if you are shooting with a Class 6 chip you can engage the shutter and shoot rapid shots, about 4 fps, until the chip fills up or batteries run out. That brings up another point, use rechargeable 600 mAh batteries or better. Shooting with anything else gets real expensive and frustrating.

OK here's the really cool part of this camera, the video. I worked in the broadcast industry for a good part 30 years and shot with some outrageously expensive cameras. To compare this $600 camera with some I've shot with would be silly but I have to tell you that this camera makes some extremely nice 1080p video. It's impressive, I was shocked. This camera has an HDMI output which pushed some very nice video to a 56" monitor. You will have to purchase a mini HDMI converter to hook it up but it's well worth it. Audio if also good since the stereo mics are in the front of the camera, not on top like Sony. Sorry Sony my video cameras always pick up my breathing and not the sounds I'm trying to record like this Canon does.

The SX1 is great for new and amateur photogs and will make very good photos for you if you learn the setups and give it some light. Pros may want it as a "fun" camera, especially for video. Be prepared to eat up a lot of digital space while you are playing with it and be prepared to not be able to see your videos in normal video players on your computer, 1080p drinks up a lot of ram and video card processing. I am glad I purchased the camera but it took a month of constant shooting to get me there. Be patient and try different settings vs environment where you are shooting.

I hope this helps someone make an informed decision.

Comments about Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera:

I am a beginner to intermediate photographer/videographer who pretty much just creates videos and photo albums of adventures and nature to share with other folks on the computer. This camera does it all in one at a great price, no more lugging around the video cam and digital camera at the same time. The Canon Powershot SX1 IS records in full stereo and takes better video than my high end Cam corder, and for a digital camera pretty lengthy videos can be taken because it is capable of utilizing up to a 16 gig sd card. The awesome part is the 20x zoom that can be used while recording video, beware of other cameras that claim they can zoom while taking video, they dont make it obvious that it doesn't record sound while doing so....[*]. I have blown people away with this feature and get constant inquiries as to what I am using and where they can find one.I do not own a high definition television but have taken some videos in high definition to try out on the computer, It was a bit choppy looking with some slight jelly effect but extremely detailed, I would say that it is still work in progress, as stated earlier, the regular video in high quality is absolutely stunning and incredible and I have what is considered to be a high end video cam to compare this to. Also you better make sure your not in high def mode before setting out on a video taking run if it is not your intention, I have made this mistake several times and now know to check before taking video as I have accidently hit the high def button while handling the camera. The pictures that it takes are absolutely beautiful for what I do, but if I were going to open up a studio to show and sell photographs and prints I would recommend taking the plunge into the world of SLR cameras as there is alot of reported noise and fringing in the photos from those who dont want to spend the money to support their particularly high standards, as for me I have not yet firgured out what they are talking about but would probably notice if I were to start making large prints to frame and sell. I get many outstanding reveiws in my album comment section on how colorful and detailed my photos are even the ones I trim in the camera to show close up views before uploading them . I give it a solid 4 stars as no cameras are without some cons. If you do not care about the cmos censor vrs. ccd censor, raw recording and or high definition recording then you may want to look at the Canon Powershot sx10 is, the photos are reportedly a bit better in quality, it uses a ccd sensor instead of the cmos censor but still has the digic 4 processor, noise and fringing are less noticeable with this camera, hmmmm interesting.The camera is extremely solid, and I love the heft to it as it steadies with ease in concert with the incredible Image Stabilization. People complain and ask where are the lense threads, not only do I have no trouble putting my fine threaded lense filters on, but Canon also makes a lense adapter to utilize various threaded accesories, so poo poo to you folks.If this camera were lost or stolen, I would buy another one immediately.