Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom - 2665B001

Great Super Zoom

12/23/2009

Great little camera.... already have 3900 shots on first one.... bought a 2nd camera as back-up.

I am hand-holding 1/8 second at 560mm, 800 ISO & getting over 50% good photos....amazing I.S. system. I frequently get good results on ISO 80 at 1/15, 560mm.

I shoot everything at minus 2/3's stop under exposure with great results....with bracketing by locking exposure in different areas of frame.

Digital noise at ISO 800 is terrible though.

Plan on adding rubber grips in (3) different places for right hand .... camera surface is real slick. Use 3M safety tread with PSA adhesive similar to material used in bath tub strips.

Also, plan on buying the filter adapter from Lens Mate which allows full use of 58mm filters......use a 58mm aluminum screw lens cap after installing the filter adapter & filter. (available from B&H.)

Don't believe the 1 star dummies on the review list.... I bought two of the things !!!

Sample photos can be viewed on [...]

Rich Barger

Bryan Odie

12/22/2009

I got this camera for Christmas last year, so I have a year of experiences and thoughts to share... nonetheless, I'll try to make it worth your time!

First off, I recently read another post that said "All choices of cameras and lenses are compromises, involving size, ease of use, cost, weight, lens quality, and more," and I need to say I couldn't agree more. If you're looking for DSLR quality images (due to the larger sensor size) or super-fast burst rate for shooting sports, or even great low-light performance, this camera will provide you with basic functionality but leave you always looking up-market (and wishing you had the cash to satisfy your desire!). Alternatively, if you're looking for a great little camera that takes terrific shots and which you will always have with you because it's easy to carry around and fits in your back pocket, this camera will have you gazing admiringly at the never-ending onslaught of point-and-shoot ads coming your way. So, you need to recognize that whichever camera you buy, you're making a compromise, because camera manufacturers have not yet figured out how to make a DSLR-quality camera that slips easily into your pocket or purse.

Why choose the SX10IS then? I'd say start with this premise: great photos are more a function of the photographer (and his/her use of composition, use of light, and editing software!) than the technology at his disposal. I've taken some great - really interesting - shots with my iPhone because the opportunities presented themselves and that was the only camera I had available. But having taken those shots and been encouraged by them, I wanted to explore what I might be able to do with a more powerful camera at my disposal. The SX10IS has been that camera.

As a novice, the most amazing features of the camera will be the 20X zoom and the image stabilization. I've taken photos of my wife and son at least 100 yards away at the top of a sled run, on full zoom, where their faces came out clear as a bell. I'm told this used to be absolutely unheard of without a tripod. Similarly, I've taken some beautiful panoramic pacific ocean sunsets and then zoomed in from a mile away on a fishing boat where I can see the fisherman working on pulling up his net in profile - all while sitting in the exact same spot! Absolutley amazing stuff... never discount the power of image stabilization for improving your pictures, especially if you've suffered from blurred photos in the past, as I have.

Some other thoughts: this camera has just about all of the manual settings you'll get on a DSLR, so if you want the opportunity to grow and learn, this will allow you to do so, at a fraction of the cost. Also, the pre-set "scene" modes should not be overlooked. I was trying to take pictures of my son's soccer games on Auto mode and not real happy with them, when I remembered the "Sports" mode on the dial. I switched the dial, and suddently I was able to catch the action with the players in mid-stride and the ball frozen mid-air, just like the pros (well, not "just like" but pretty good, given I didn't have the super-fast burst mode they do).

I will say that the user manual is a pain to follow, which has slowed my progress in learning the manual features.

All in all, I have to give this camera two thumbs up: it met my needs for cost (got it for only $325, with free shipping and no sales tax!), while feeding my desire to learn more and improve my photographic skills. Do I still wish I could get Canon 40D-type quality and specs in the body of a Canon S90? The answer is a definitive Yes (the Canon G11 might be the another great compromise, like the SX10), but short of carrying around multiple cameras, the SX10 is definitely a camera that can be recommended.

Happy shopping and happy shooting!

FROM AN ELPH TO THE SX10 IS

12/21/2009

I was fed up with pocket cameras. After reading many reviews about many cameras I chose the CANON SX10 IS. Right out of the box just point and shoot. I have found this camera amateur friendly. My dogs tend to be black or white... Westies and Labradors. No longer do I get just a profile outline of my Lab, or a white blob of my Westie. Gone are the green ghoul eyes. The video is as crisp as the photos. The sound recording on video is clear, too. Important if you want the sound of your little puppies at play. Most important is how silent the camera is to operate. My dogs no longer hear the camera come out of the bag, power up, focus, and shoot. Even the flash doesn't disturb them. Portrait photos of family are priceless. I can't wait to start photographing wildlife.I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains where "teaming with wildlife"is an understatement. Turkeys, deer, birds, geese, ducks, wolves, cyotes, mountain lions, lynx, bobcats,etc. have appeared in my side, front,and backyard. A positive for a budding wildlife photographer... a nightmare when walking the dogs. "GET OUT OF HERE!" doesn't exactly intimidate timber wolves that appear on the edge of your yard while walking a six month old Labrador. Having lived here all of my life, however, I do know how to stay safe, the agricultural biology degree doesn't hurt, either.
The LCD screen is big enough for me, especially with its flexibility. A rubber eye piece (eyepieces@cheltenhamas.com) makes the view finder VERY efficient... highly recommended. The ease of use of the automatic controls to the ability of full manual control, with the ability to add attachments using a converter ring (52mm-58mm)and the hot shoe for an additional flash makes this camera limitless. I don't mind the lack of HD recording. Honestly, if you're that into video recording, shouldn't you be looking at camcorders? The CANON SX 10 IS is the best of three worlds for me: automatic, manual, and video in one.

Great camera!

12/13/2009

I bought this camera to upgrade from a basic point and shoot without going to an SLR. It fulfilled my requirements and I have been quite pleased with it. The features are easy to use and the pictures are clear and bright. I can change all of the settings to my specifications, yet the auto feature works great and I can pass the camera off to someone with little experience and still get a good picture. I do wish that the lense cap was attached. I have almost lost it a couple of times! I use the camera mainly to take macro shots of jewelry (the supermacro setting on this camera is great!). [...]

Great camera

12/10/2009

I purchased this one soo that I cant buy an DSLR. Its very nice choice I made and I really like it.. I live 35 blocks south of sears tower,from my home i can get a very good pic of the top of sears with very good quality with the zoom and the quality of image I got was great whn i used in morning and night. If u take fireworks u can expect much frm it..

If u take landscape and wildlife pics also..its good for the moeny u pay.. u will not regret.. DSLR is great but u can use this if u dont have money to buy DSLR. I use this during my graduation and I liked all the pics I take. its great. I even took pics during Chicago air show and it came perfect... The video is also great and I took some great pics when I shot video using this...

I will recommend this to any 1 who want to buy this... very nice 1 to start b4 u move to DSLR.