Canon PowerShot SX1IS 10 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.8-inch LCD
- First PowerShot to feature a 10.0-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor
- Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels at 30 fps) movie mode plus HDMI output
- 28mm wide-angle 20x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilizer
- 2.8-inch Vari-angle LCD widescreen; DIGIC 4 Image Processor with Face Detection Technology
- Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)
Put your hand around the perfectly shaped grip of Canon’s sporty new PowerShot SX1 IS and you’re ready for a shooting experience that’s advanced in every way. The 10.0-megapixel SX1 IS is the very first PowerShot equipped with a CMOS sensor, a hallmark of Canon’s lauded EOS line. Unlike the CCD sensors on most digital cameras, CMOS sensors convert and amplify signals before they are transferred to the image processor. This enables the CMOS sensor to produce exceptionally clean image data, free of the stray signals that can mar images. You can also create Full HD movies and see every detail on your HDTV thanks to HDMI output for easy playback of video (1920 x 1080 pixels) at 30fps. Plus, you’ve got an advanced DIGIC 4 Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology and the Face Detection Self-timer for extraordinary control and performance. This technology finds and tracks the faces of moving subjects until you’re ready to shoot, then delivers perfect focus. In addition, exposure… More >>
Like this post? Subscribe to RSS feed!
5 comments
Wen on September 8, 2009 at 4:34 am
I was so disappointed with this camera, I don’t know how Canon could release it with such flaws. I am a Canon user since 1975 and currently use a DSLR of theirs. I wanted good quality HD movies mainly in this camera, but I also wanted something that I could use if I wanted to travel lightly. Unless you have blazing daylight, the noise in this camera is worse than any I have seen in a camera in this category. My Powershot A720 IS which I got last year is way better. shame on Canon for not doing a better job – they can! Sent it back.
Pvc Distributors on September 8, 2009 at 5:28 am
We use our cameras in our business every day. We have had 3 Nikons in the past. All had outstanding PQ, but all died about every 2-3 years. So we decided this time to look for another camera. We decided on the Canon SX1 IS due to the reviews here. Let me tell you how bad this camera is;
1. The PQ is horrid. One of our CAMERA PHONES produces nearly identical PQ. Only slightly worse. I called Canon and after talking to the nice person on the phone, they had no explanation. They suggested I email images to one of their higher up techs. Two days later, no response.
2. The buttons are in all the wrong places. You cannot carry or handle this camera w/o hitting buttons unintentionally.
3. This camera weights 1.5 pounds. That’s about equal to 2 12oz cans of soda. Go pick up two cans of soda and try to carry that around like you would a camera.
4. There is only one way to grip this camera and it requires 2 hands. There is no other way to use it successfully.
5. It only comes with standard rca cables to view the HD video. Which, is just horrible. I don’t know if it’s the cable or the camera, but based on the horrid photos, I’d say it’s the camera. Who in their right mind would put a standard cable with a HD camera? That’s just stupid.
6. The SD card is very, very hard to get out.
7. The HD movies will not play on my computer. [UPDATE: We had to update to QT 7 to get them to play. Which does work. However, the video is jerky and jumpy. About every 1 second it seems to skip several frames. It's so bad it looks like some of those music videos. The PQ just just good, on the very low level of HD expected quality.]
I uploaded a video to youtube so you can see for yourself. Our account on youtube is Flexpvc. Just search for Canon SX1-IS and you should be able to find it. That’s really the video that came out of the camera.
I know I’m being overally dramatic, but it’s hard to keep it cool considering this is a $500+ “HD” camera. I do LOVE the wide field of view, it’s awesome. The 20x zoom is outstanding… in theory. the problem is, both are worthless if the PQ is not any better than a camera phone. I’ve uploaded my own photos here taken with this camera so you can see for yourself. One shows the dark dot, and the other is the kitchen sink area. You be the judge if I’m being overly critical of this $500 camera.
Bottom line: if you care about the quality of the picture, ease of use, or ergonomics, skip this one.
My experience level: well seasoned amateur.
I question some of the reviews on this site. They sound like they were written by professional copywriters for a PR campaign. Trust this one and the other review “Noise and grain.” This is the truth for this camera.
Armand Waddington on September 8, 2009 at 7:16 am
I’ve had several Canon cameras over the years. I decided to buy this one as a replacement for my lost A650. In general, Canons are very good cameras, with well thought-out menus and controls. Not this model. For some reason Canon decided to scrap all that was good about their cameras and make it much, MUCH worse:
– using menus and changing shooting settings is like navigating a maze. Even if you’re used to other Canon models this one is unlike the others.. very unintuitive.
– it has a dial for selecting settings and options. The dial quality feels cheap, is quite unresponsive and inconvenient to use.
– it’s a battery hog. It takes four AA batteries and even with fully-charged 2600 mA NiMH batteries it’s out of juice in couple of days.
– the lens doesn’t retract but has a lens cap instead. You have to put it on/off every time you want to take a shot.
– it’s fairly bulky and quite heavy, a big drawback if you’re travelling or have to carry it around all day.
To sum up, this camera is overpriced for what it is. You can get similar models for much less. Alternatively, for just a little more you can get yourself an SLR.
J. cohen on September 8, 2009 at 7:56 am
Make no mistake, this is not a point and shoot camera. While it comes with great specs, it is a bit harder to use if you’re not used to that level of camera. I had numerous pictures come out blurry. The ISO almost has to be redone for each picture (frustrating!). The instruction book must be read, and even then it is difficult to remember what all the symbols mean. Some of the pictures appear grainy. The high def video takes up enormous memory. Maybe someone with experience with better cameras would love this and make good pictures with it. For me, there was too much dissapointment with it.
Mike Hike on September 8, 2009 at 8:23 am
Upgraded from S3-IS and guess what, the S3-IS provides more pleasing results. The photographic quality of the SX1 is not even close to the Canon dSLRs using CMOS. The CMOS sensor in SX1 is a very big disappointment. Color and dynamic range are no better than the SX10 and the noise from the SX1 sensor is what I would expect from cheap camera. Amazon service is great — so if you are looking for a good prosumer camera, go get a Canon SX10 IS, or Nikon, or Sony. Don’t even bother wtih this overpriced inferior SX1 deployment of CMOS technology.