General Discussion : Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

[thedaniel]

The main strength of the Powershot S series compact camera is the video capturing capability that no other compact cameras even the 5D2 can match.
It can auto focus during the zooming of the lens and at the same time with the IS on.

But the price is too high at the moment. Just wait for a few months for the price to stablize.

 

[Snoweagle]

Well change of plans for me. I plan to use the money for my gf's temporary DSLR.

 

[dkcg7]

My gf bought SX1 this evening at CP. She paid $920 w/gst and using cc to make payment.
Comes with standard package (Toshiba 8GB class 4 and GP 4xAA rechargeable battery). I tested a few shots and AF is very fast. One little problem that I encounter is the LCD screen is wide screen version (16:9) so far cannot find any screen protector.
I told my gf to take extra care...

 

[Snoweagle]

My gf bought SX1 this evening at CP. She paid $920 w/gst and using cc to make payment.
Comes with standard package (Toshiba 8GB class 4 and GP 4xAA rechargeable battery). I tested a few shots and AF is very fast. One little problem that I encounter is the LCD screen is wide screen version (16:9) so far cannot find any screen protector.
I told my gf to take extra care...

Screen protector can go to places like Daiso and buy the big piece and cut, only $2.

 

[SyManTec]

Have ask around and got a quote for SX1 @ $868 w/ GST + 8G SD & AA Battery kit, anyone manage to get a better price???

 

[quanyew]

Have ask around and got a quote for SX1 @ $868 w/ GST + 8G SD & AA Battery kit, anyone manage to get a better price???

It is really quite surprising that dealers are quoting a price far lesser than Canon's RRP of $999, for a newly launch model :think: .

 

[dkcg7]

Have ask around and got a quote for SX1 @ $868 w/ GST + 8G SD & AA Battery kit, anyone manage to get a better price???

Usually they will tell you no stock and you have to wait.

 

[tutumakbuk]

but SX1 is using a CMOS sensor... hmm, i heard CMOS sensors are not as popular as CCD for video, am i right?

If your primary purpose is for still shots, then CMOS would do better.

 

[Neo]

The main strength of the Powershot S series compact camera is the video capturing capability that no other compact cameras even the 5D2 can match.
It can auto focus during the zooming of the lens and at the same time with the IS on.

You're spot on. The PowerShot SX1 IS has Image Stabilizer and USM motor for fast focusing, plus fast zooming across the wide-angle 16x zoom range with the VC motor. Plus it's one of the few cameras that shoot full HD video. That explains the price I think.

If you're looking for a camera to get into photography, then a EOS 1000D or EOS 450D might be a better job. But I guess a lot of photographers with an advanced DSLR, or tech-savvy customers are looking for a non-DSLR that they can carry around everywhere and shoot high-quality photos and videos (why carry around another HD camcorder?). That is the target market for the PowerShot SX1 IS I guess...

 

[kencfk]

Now even Sony handycams that shoot at 1080p are all using their own proprietry Sony CMOS sensor (Exmor) in all their lineups boosting a 10mp Still capture.
Its the same sensor used in Sony Alpha DSLR.
Photography and Videography have come a long way and integration becomes tighter.

 

[tutumakbuk]

Anyone knows Canon's thinking behind putting a lower res EVF in the SX1 (140k pixels) than in the SX10 (235k pixels)?

 

[faineant]

I don't understand the need for a screen protector when you have an articulating LCD.

The price is quite steep, but claiming that you can get a 1000D/450D or whatever entry-level is not as logical as it seems.

If you buy a dSLR, it's not just the body. It's a system. To put it simply:

-SX1($800-900) - 20x/ HD Video
-450D(970) + the closest equivalent to a 20x zoom (Canon 18-200/Tamron 18-270) $940-1000. = Total: Way more than SX1IS and without Full HD and articulating LCD.

The list can go on about spare batteries, memory cards etc..

So don't look at it at just face value.

In my personal opinion, the SX 1 IS is the best bridge camera to date. Period. I was even considering it as a backup for my dSLR's. But its not that compact, so G10 was the way to go.

 

[0kb]

In my personal opinion, the SX 1 IS is the best bridge camera to date. Period. I was even considering it as a backup for my dSLR's. But its not that compact, so G10 was the way to go.
Amateurs worry about sharpness.Professionals worry about sales.Photographers worry about light.

But the SX1IS has a flip-able LCD screen......

PS: I'm an Amateur Photographer so I worry about sharpness and light.

 

[faineant]

Yeah, I would trade the articulating LCD and everything else for something that captures RAW and can fit in my pocket easily.

I know there are programs that enable SX1 IS to capture raw, but it still won't fit into my pocket.

PS: Words were meant to be mutually exclusive. but if it pleases you, by all means. :thumbsup:

 

[Anson]

-SX1($800-900) - 20x/ HD Video
-450D(970) + the closest equivalent to a 20x zoom (Canon 18-200/Tamron 18-270) $940-1000. = Total: Way more than SX1IS and without Full HD and articulating LCD.

In my personal opinion, the SX 1 IS is the best bridge camera to date. Period. I was even considering it as a backup for my dSLR's. But its not that compact, so G10 was the way to go.

I choose the 450D + 18-200mm lens over the SX1, mainly because of its low-light performance.. And also because on a SX1, you are using a zoom level instead of a zoom barrel... which I am very used to on my FZ50...

 

[0kb]

I know there are programs that enable SX1 IS to capture raw, ....

Interesting. Where can I find out more about such programmes? Thanks in advance.

 

[Anson]

Interesting. Where can I find out more about such programmes? Thanks in advance.

I heard of it in S5IS... but is it comparable for SX1IS? :think:

 

[LXXLXX]

Hi hi, Can i check where did you get that quotation?

 

[d7t3]

I tried some still shots with both cameras in the shop (J3.16) when my friend was deciding which to get. Just looking at magnified sections on the (tiny) LCD, the SX1 doesn't seem to be noticeably better than the SX10 in high-ISO shots (can't remember 800 or 1600). Noise seems about the same.

For my friend the deal-clincher was the HD video. He wanted a cam for photo + video. I guess few people would only watch their videos on the older VGA standard. If it had been me I'd have gone for the SX10, $200 cheaper (as of last week) and comparable image quality. 640x480 is OK for me. But then again, I'd probably go for a TZ5 or LX3 at that price... The SX models have the highly irritating imprecise rotating control dial, which is definitely NOT the same as the ones on the 40D or 5D Plus I'd want the wide-angle, and the Lumixes are more pocketable.

But I agree with previous posters that stereo sound and optical zoom + IS during video recording is a selling point.

 

[faineant]

Interesting. Where can I find out more about such programmes? Thanks in advance.

I can't remember the exact name but you could try Google or some USA camera forums if you really want to know.