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

Very nice camera

10/9/2009

You should read the more in-depth reviews first, but I just wanted to add my voice and say that this is a really nice camera.
If you are on the cusp of getting an SLR but not quite sure you want to delve into it (as I was), this is a good choice.

I really like most aspects of it and don't have any major complaints. Getting it to focus properly in the environments I used it in (I was photographing performers at music events) was pretty frustrating at times, but once I got to know it well enough it was better. The built-in flash is fairly useless for low light settings where the subject is more than a few feet away. Also a problem with the built-in flash if you plan on using it: if you have the Lens Hood attached, there will be a shadow along the bottom of your photos because the built-in flash does not project far enough over it.

I also got this for the video capability but was very annoyed by the sound recording. In loud environments, even on the lowest input-volume setting, it will record with lots of distortion. I didn't understand this because friends of mine have older and lower-model PowerShots and in the same environments they could record without distortion. You'd think this would be possible on the better model, but apparently not.

Other than that, a very solid product all around.

Powered zoom system too fast

10/9/2009

I'm an experienced photographer who grew up with SLR, medium format, and view cameras while working as a pro in the military and commercially afterward. Today, I shoot only for some business and recreational needs. This is a really good compromise camera for someone wishing to avoid the bottomless cost of and SLR, along with the additional weight. My one beef is the electrically powered zoom, which reacts way too quickly. My last camera was a Minolta Dimage, which is no longer made. It, too, was a super zoom, but the lens barrel had to be manually twisted to zoom in/out. This allowed much, much finer adjustment of the zoom at a speed of the users choosing. As an all around compromise camera, this is a good value. There is always some degradation of image quality that's a given with a superzoom camera, and that is evident in this product.

All Auto Functions is excellent. All Manually Functions is not very bad.

10/7/2009

This is my 6th digital camera and 3rd from Canon.
This camera is not for everyday using (size and weight).
This is "weekend-camera". :)
General characteristic is in the title.

adequate

10/6/2009

I bought this camera 2 months ago, I had another point and shoot Canon, powershot sd 1000, which I still like, but I was interested by the powerful zoom.
Overall, the camera is a bit of a disappointment, and I think I take better pictures with better contrast with the sd 1000, especially in low light situations.
you really need a tripod with the zoom at maximum power or with low light, or most of your pictures will be blurred, I should have spent a little more and bought a digital slr, but I will keep this camera, it is versatile enough, has a lot of features and is easier to carry around than a SLR with its different lenses.

An Excellent Journeyman Camera

10/6/2009

I originally bought this camera when it first came out. I was a strong Canon fan due to two other Canon digital point and shoot cameras in our household.

This time I was ready for a more DLSR camera and shooting experience. I was hesitant to invest thousands of dollars like I had with a film based DLSR years ago. One of the things that lead me to get this camera was that I remembered I did not often use my DLSR since it was a logistical hassle bringing all the lens, flashes, and equipment around. Once I realized this self truth, I looked to see what my options were. So when I saw the impressive specs on this camera, I had to try it out. Good choice on my part.

I could not believe how much of a powerful and clear zoom lens this camera has! This camera is pretty fast in terms of frames/second and startup time for such an "entry level" camera.

The macro capability was quite impressive, as was the depth of field capabilities. These were two features that I was missing in other point and shoots, and I could not be happier with the quality in this camera.

Dark environments are usually well captured, and I find that most pictures in the 400-800 ISO range to be quite usable as long as there is reasonable room lighting and no extremes of motion.

An added bonus was the video camera with stereo sound. I did not buy the camera for this feature, but I was delighted to find it so excellent. It easily equals my old Sony DV camera in all ways except night vision capability.

Unfortunately, my wife tended to use it so much that I felt she should have it. I bought a replacement camera that did not work out quite as well as this Canon PowerShot SX10 IS camera. Even though the replacement (Nikon Coolpix P90)was similar in feature sets and functionality. The Nikon P90 is a very nice camera, but having both in our household, I just like the Canon considerably better.

I ended up buying another PowerShot SX10 IS to replace my replacement Nikon P90. After using this Canon camera for awhile after using the Nikon, I will simply state that I am a full=fledged Canon enthusiast.

Reasons I like it (and why I think it is better than my Nikon Coolpix P90):
* Better (and more natural) clarity and color
* When using auto-focus, I find the pictures quite Good!
* The telephoto can be used in all lighting environments (even if it is grainy at high ISOs)
* The macro feature is really tremendous
* Stunned by how good the NTSC 640 x 480 video and sound is (just wish it was HD)
* Slightly more intuitive menus and functionality
* Better flexibility with LCD screen (though the Nikon is a nicer screen)
* Much fewer blurry pictures in various manual modes and/or auto modes
* Image stability function is better on this camera

This is one person's impression. Is it a perfect camera? No, but I truly believe that the Canon PowerShot SX10IS is a truly GREAT camera for new or experienced photographers, who want good flexibility, convenience, and excellent image results.

When it gets RAW capability and true HD video (1080p) then it will be perfect (for me) and called the "Canon PowerShot SX30IS", or the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS minus $100.