Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Another one returned! Sorry Canon, I really like your products, but KEEP UP WITH THE TIMES 4 goodness sake!!!! (Excuse the rant) I've tried just about EVERY point & shoot that takes some kind of video, plus countless other digital cameras over the years. The HD P&S's I've tried are: Canon TX1, Panasonic TX5, several flash drive camcorders that also take still pic's, Sanyo HD1000 & HD700, Samsung HV24HD, & ALL the Kodak's that take HD Video. Plus there has been other camera's - too many 2 mention (i.e. Canon 550, 770, etc.)

Anyway, I just bought (and returned) the SX10. I really wanted 2 love this camera, but will stick with my Sony T500 4 now (check my review of the T500 - that little baby is a keeper).

To keep it short, the still pictures are what you would expect from a Canon, but actually, I think my old Canon G7 takes better pictures. But here are the grips (I prefer the cons in a review more than the pros) in no particular order.

1) The Camera is BIG. Easy 2 hold but BIG. Love the flip screen - but the camera is BIG. Great lens - but BIG. I guess what I'm trying 2 say, the damn thing is BIG, almost as big as a DSLR. This is something that you can not just slip in your pocket & run! I guess I would put up with the BIGness of the camera if the video was better (see below).
2) Battery: some might like it, but I did not. Four "AA" batteries! I had 2 buy a rather expensive charger & rechargeable batteries. Come on, what's going on here! Now adays with all this new technology, Canon couldn't come up with a small battery that holds a decent charge! I know the Sony T500 has poor battery life, but at least the camera is small - you would expect that! Who wants 2 schlep around 4 extra "AA" batteries - not me! This one was my fault, I did not ever read about the batteries before I bought the camera, but like above, if the Video was better, I could look the other way.
3) Video: This was pretty important 2 me (again check out the T500). What is up with only the small video format when EVERY other camera company is opting 4 new 16:9 widescreen format? Again, my old G7 takes just as good "small" video & I can play/edit it with anything! Actually, the video from the SX10 is not all that good, except the fact that you can zoom all the way in (actually that is pretty cool), but not worth keeping it. I was hoping that even though the SX10 was not widescreen 720/1080, it would take decent "HD like" video with the new .MOV video format. Why Canon did not bring the SX1 out first I'll never know; because then if the videos were good - I might have kept the Canon. As many other reviewers have mentioned, I just don't understand these companies or their marketing plan. If they need any help, all they have 2 do is ask a few geeks like me - I'll tell em' an ear full!

So all in all, I'm keeping the Sony T500 - even if the pictures are not quite as sharp. That little camera is all I need - "right now"! Just my opinion Canon lovers.

This is my first ultrazoom camera.
I have used in Macy's thanksgiving parade.
Pros :
-> Image Quality is good even in max zoom, Low light
-> Image Stabilization works fine taking pic in max optical zoom
-> Auto focus work fine.
-> If you have understanding of Shutter speed & Appeture, it gives nice manual Control, if you dont know - Auto mode will take care of everything.
-> I like flipping LCD, which helps me 2 take picture with raising my hands it helped me take pics in too crowded area where i was not able 2 see parade, taking my pic with flipping LCD at 180 degree.
-> Video Quality is realy nice, & I was surprised by very clear Sound Quality which it capture with two microphones infront of camera.

Cons:
Little bit bulky.But you have 2 pay prise 4 getting alle this above nice features.

Conclusion : Superb Camera with all Nice features..!

Many picture buffs like myself are torn between the weight, expense & size of many digital SLR's, & the increasing power & convenience of the near SLR portables. Hardcore travelers like myself know the convenience of throwing a camera in a case or backpack, & the hassle that the weight, care & feeding of an SLR can pose on such trips.

Fortunately, what I've seen so far is that the high quality of zoom shots is setting a brand new standard with this new camera from Canon. Earlier "super-zoom" models, or those with zooms in excess of 10x or 12x, suffered from image quality problems as long zooms strained the limits of the tiny processors needed 2 capture light & reduce the effects of vibration. All these negative effects increase exponentially with each increase in zoom power. It used 2 be that only the large lenses & higher sensitivity power of expensive SLR's solved this problem.

Processor sensitivity has finally caught up with the portable 20x optical zoom. Finally 100mm zoom power, without SLR expense & weight.

This is an EXCELLENT camera! I highly recommend purchasing it if you're in the market 4 a Mega Zoom. I just can't say enough about it. It offers several pre-set photo options. The zoom is incredible. Picture quality is also excellent. It feels good in your hands.

I suggest that you study the manual 2 become familiar with the camera features. It's an easy read. Plan on burning the provided AA batteries becoming familiar with the camera (comparing the manual 2 actually testing them out on the camera). It's worth investing the time 2 truly realize the camera's benefits.

I purchased rechargeable AA batteries rather than continually buying traditional alkaline batteries. AA battery vs. a proprietary rechargeable battery was a feature I was looking 4 in this type of camera. It doesn't burn through the batteries.

Again - it's a great camera 4 armature or semi-professional photographers. Good luck!

It's not a DSLR but it comes pretty darn close. What doesn't it have that a DSLR does?

1. Well the obvious is you can't change lenses but with such a large zoom & super macro why carry around all that stuff just 2 take hobby shots?

2. The sensor is never going 2 be as great as the higher end cameras, but it does a darn good job if you know how 2 work your settings & use a tripod.

3. You can't shoot raw. Again this is 4 the person who likes 2 take photos rather than switching out lenses, cleaning innards of the body, & sitting in front of the computer tweaking all day.

That being said if you're looking 4 a more "professional camera" go 4 the new Rebel (I believe the new one has live view that the older models don't & that is a real plus.)

Okay so shooting at anything above 400ISO gets noisy. My solution - use a tripod 4 longer exposures at a lower ISO or use flash when possible.

The zoom is great & though you do lose some quality there is an image stabalizer, you will get shake -- again use a tripod or monopod.

The thing is so easy 2 use, I never even read the instruction manual. It's all right there on the camera, you just have 2 play around with it.

Burst mode is kinda slow, but again it's under $400 camera -- there are going 2 be some trade offs 4 the all-in-one-point-and-shoot.

USE the scene settings, they are marvelous, & can actually help train you on how 2 set the camera manually. The indoor mode is fantastic at setting the white balance.

The best situation 4 any camera is lots of light so expect noise, blur etc in darker settings. Get yourself a flash -- Speedlite 430ex or better if you have the cash. I am still waiting 4 mine, but if you like 2 bounce flash off the wall behind you do some more research on it. Get a diffuser and/or bounce the crap out of it. Experiment & play. Once you learn the camera & its nuances, you will be able 2 get the most out of it.

Spend the money & get a fast memory card with a lot of space.

This camera is now my baby & I have used the Olympus Camedia 3.2 MP 4 quite some time & I have taken a lot of great photos with it. I had the older rebel, hated that it didn't have live view & didn't have the money 2 buy fast telephoto lenses. Sold it. I recommend you keep yours if you have one though... they are great cameras.

I will be shooting intimate events (baby showers, small weddings, birthday & holiday parties) with this one & using my friend's rebel as a backup. LOL imagine that!!? I figure I can make some of my cash back maybe even enough 2 get the new rebel.

If you want something that is easy 2 use, has a great zoom lens, takes great photos & is under $400, this is the camera 4 you. It's a canon & the resale value should stick should you want 2 upgrade in a year.

T-

Whether the action is fast or slow, close up or far away, youll always get the shot you want with the PowerShot SX10 IS. This camera puts you on the cutting edge of advanced technology, with an incredibly powerful 20x optical zoom, 10-megapixel resolution, & new DIGIC 4 Image Processor 4 high-performance face & motion detection.