Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera - Black (10MP, 20x Optical Zoom) 2.8 inch LCD

I 'ummed' and 'arred' about buying this camera for months before I took the plunge. I am so pleased I did. The main selling points for me were the 20X zoom and the full HD movie capability, but having never experienced HD before I was a bit hesitant.
I have a G7 and a EOS 40D, and while the G7 is a perfect point and shoot camera (some of my best pictures have come from this) and the 40D is an excellent SLR when used with a Sigma 28-300, I wanted something that would do the job of both but without the weight of the EOS. And the SX1 is it!
The HD movies are astounding, both on the computer and the 32" TV. You do need a tripod to get the best picture quality, but it is well worth the time taken to set it up properly. I use a mini tripod and utilise the remote control that came with camera, it takes the button shake from the beginning and end of your movie. Likewise when taking a long exposure picture, set it up on the tripod and release the shutter with the remote.
Downsides? Well, there's always something and with this camera it's the power source. It uses 4 AA batteries. I am using 'Ultimate Lithium" batteries as they will last for about 500 still pics, and if you look around you can get them for about £4 for 4.
Another thing I'm a bit unhappy about is the fact that the camera has a plastic body. Having been used to a G7 and 40D, both metal bodied and feeling bullet-proof, I was a bit disconcerted with the feel of the SX. However, having used it a fair bit now, it's proving to be not quite as fragile as it feels.
All in all, I'm very impressed with this camera (see picture) and I'm still discovering new stuff it will do.

After much research I chose the SX1 (over SX10 or Panasonic FZ28) as a replacement for my A610.

Despite reading reviews, my first impression was that it was larger than expected... and perhaps a little heavier. Expectations are subjective of course, but this is no `pocket' camera! It's very solid (think `small DSLR' rather than `compact'), and though mainly plastic it's very well built. The lens surround is metal, and there's a metal tripod thread. It feels comfortable when held, and the weight should help avoid camera shake (as does excellent Image Stabilisation).

(Note - if you `rock' the camera gently whilst off there's a slight clunking noise, sounding like a loose item inside. You don't hear this when switched on. Apparently Canon say that it's perfectly normal. So don't be disconcerted!)

The second thing that stood out was the clarity of the display. The 2.8 inch screen is considerably larger than my A610's and very crisp and colourful. The viewfinder display is less impressive, but useable, but with the main screen so clear I'll probably use that more.

The 20x zoom lens is quite long when extended and reach is impressive. The lens cap is a pain - ideally it would be attached with a cord, but it can clip to the neck-strap. I miss an `automatic' lens cover but there you go.

If you've used another Canon compact you'll find the UI and menus familiar. There are many options to navigate, but all are accessed via a straightforward system, with `shortcut' buttons provided on the body (MF, ISO, Macro, Timer, Exposure compensation and a dedicated video record button which is really useful - no need to find video `mode' before filming). The widescreen display is used well with info neatly arranged to get the most from the space provided. In `normal' photo mode the image occupies the central area with settings shown on the right and left avoiding obscuring the image. Switch to widescreen mode for stills (and HD video) and the image then occupies the full width.

STILLS

The `$6 Million' question is how good is the image quality? I'd say very good.

Overall quality of picture in terms of sharpness, focus, colour, exposure and so on, is very good. In terms of `noise', from what I've seen the SX1 delivers generally good results. Initial tests were mainly indoors in natural light - a `worst case scenario' test. Generally the SX1 coped well and shots in brighter light are obviously better! Using `Auto' at mainly 100 or 200ISO shots were clean and tidy. At normal viewing resolution no real noise is visible. Zoomed to 2, 4 or even 6 megapixels images are fine and prints at 6x4, or perhaps even A4 size, should be fine.

At 100% the 10 megapixel indoor images do exhibit some `graininess'. However, this is probably `normal' for most 8+ megapixel compacts, which are pushing the limits of what a small sensor can achieve. With good light outdoors, I'm sure the SX1 is capable of producing superb shots, and at 10 megapixels opportunities are presented for cropping and enlarging.

Outdoor shots, despite dull weather, have come out very well. The zoom allows you to get in very close to subjects. Also, the wide angle (28mm) is great for group and indoor shots.

HD VIDEO

A large attraction of the SX1 is its Full HD video (1080p). With this the SX1 is something of a pioneer.

I shot several videos and converted to WMF using WinFF on my PC for smooth playback (see comments other review). With settings of 30000bps, 30fps, 1920/1080, the WMFs played back smoothly. Quality is superb - every bit as good as hoped for. Surprisingly, though Canon recommend Class 6, video worked fine with my Class 4 card (Sandisk Ultra II, 8Gb).

Indoors video came out fine, and though the SX1 can `overexpose' in bright light it is no worse than my `normal' camcorder.

One great thing is that you can grab 2 megapixel stills from the video. This is like having 30fps `burst mode' on the camera. Just convert to .wmv and via Windows Movie Maker you can save any frame as a JPG - perfect for 6x4 prints!

HD video is all I hoped it would be. Shoots fine, looks superb, CD quality sound, easily transferred to PC (no more `capturing' from tape) and with right software excellent results are achieved. It really does give you an HD camcorder in a stills camera. You'd want a good capacity card (16GB=56mins), but 16Gb are now available from about £20. The SX1 fits less video on a card than many HD camcorders, but there's a simple reason: Most HD camcorders encode at between 15 and 24Mbs - whereas the SX1 shoots at around 43Mbs!!.... And it shows!

EARLY CONCLUSIONS

The SX1 is a great, all-in-one, `bridge' camera. Well built, great zoom & wide angle, feels solid, takes good pictures, and superb video. With many features, manual controls, macro, 4fps burst mode, and so on, you get a lot for your money. There's a neck strap (you'll need it), a useful remote control for photos, video and playback, a composite video lead for TV, a USB lead, and PC software for photo/video playback. Sadly the main manual is on CD and for HDTV playback you'll need an HDMI cable. The camera takes AA batteries - personally I like that - AAs are cheap, so easy to carry spares, and good rechargeables last a fair while.

The SX1 isn't a `small compact' nor a DSLR, but for high zoom, less bulk, and HD video in a stills camera the SX1 is the ideal choice. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I spent a few weeks on the net researching various cameras from £300 to £1000 before deciding on this long zoom 'compact'.
My previous camera was a 12 X zoom, Dimage Z3, which I enjoyed for 4+ years, but was never totally happy with the image quality, especially for photographing wildlife/birds. But, in its day, was the longest zoom in a non-SLR digital camera, so, I was happy enough for the price.
My dilemma recently was on whether to go for a "bridge" or SLR. I have always liked Canon cameras, so my first filter to narrow down the thousands available, was to mainly concentrate on the Canon range. I'm sure you could buy just as well, if your choice was Nikon, Sony, Pentax or other respected names.
So my otions were SX10 IS, SX1 IS, EOS400D, EOS450D, EOS 50D.
If I bought an EOS (SLR) then I would also have to buy extra, long lenses and do without video. The lenses were going to be expensive for good ones. According to many reviews I read, the standard lenses are no better than the quality on the SX1 IS. You can get non IS lenses by Sigma and others for reasonable price. But to get anyhwere near the zoom range of the SX1 I was going to have to spend big bucks.
There is also the inconvenience of having to carry a big bag around with me, like I used to with film SLR's. So I went for convenience.
On a balance between quality, price and convenience, I opted for the SX1 IS, which is a big step up from my old 4 mega pixel 12 times zoom.
So far (about 3 weeks) I am happy with the picture quality, though I still can't get as near to my subjects as I would like.
The long zoom is great, and the image stabilisation.
The ability to zoom whilst videoing is also a great new feature for a digicam.

Things I don't like are
1. Lens cap is not attached to camera by a cord, so it's easy to misplace, and doesn't always get put back on the idle camera. So I am risking damage.
2. The HD video has been a big disappointment. The video quality and size are great, but when you are panning, even slowly, the picture jumps. Do have a look on Youtube, for sample videos, if this is important to you.
Also, more importantly in my case, the video and sound are not in sync. I video singer/guitarist songs to put on Youtube, and they are not even in sync on my own PC, so I would have been okay to have bought the SX10, as HD video was my reason for upgrade. The standard quality video is good. I did have to get a new faster card to handle HD video. Sandisk Extreme 3. As far as I know this card is as fast as you can get?

UPDATE 16th Feb 09 - I now believe that all my issues with the HD video were caused by my own ignorance of this format. Canon reccommend 2.6 gig duo core minimum with Vista. My processor is only 2.13Ghx 2 core. So I'm still learning how to get the best out of it.
The video experts rave about the video quality of this camera, so I would take their word for it.
The Sandisk eXtreme card is a class 6 card and is suitable.

3. There is NO SCREW THREAD ON THE LENS!!! You cannot fit filters to protect the lens, or use effects. You can't add teleconverters to extend the zoom range. Although I realise that Canon would consider the extra weight impracticable as it would put extra strain on the motor drive.
UPDATE 15th Feb 09 - A company called Lensmate now make a suitable adaptor for the SX1 which bayonets on to the lens hood fitting and accepts standard 58mm (YES 58)filters.
4. You cant select the low ISO numbers, when you shoot in auto.
To get my photos as crisp as possible I like to use ISO 80. The camera never seems to select 80 in auto, even in bright sunlight, so I have started to use program and manual settings where I can select 80.

Overall, at the moment I still really like the camera, and am very happy that I chose it.
My son is going to get the EOS 450D soon, so I will see what the comparisons are like, first hand.
I hope I'm not going to be envious.
Good luck in your hunt for your ideal camera. Tony

Updated 30.01.09
My issues with video lag and sound sync above have been sorted, please see comments below this review. All part of the learning process.

20 odd years ago I used to love going all over the place snapping away with my old Olympus OM2N, but after amassing a few carrier bags full of unprocessed film just gave it up. Then about 3 years back I got an Olympus pocket compact and started getting back into snapping away but always promised myself a DSLR when I could afford.

Well, now's that time!! I thought of something like a Canon EOS450 initially but I dont really want to be lugging all the lenses etc around now, and then came across the Canon SX1 IS. I read the specs..too good to be true I thought, read the reviews, read them all again, had a few cans of beer and got the plastic out and ordered from Amazon. 2 weeks on and after a good play around with it I can't believe what a bargain this camera is!! (now £40 cheaper too..HUH!!). Initially the user guide seems a bit head busting, but taking things one step at a time all the features become apparent and really easy to use. I'd recommend this camera to anyone either looking to upgrade from a pocket compact to the serious amateur or pro photographer needing to travel light.

PROS...Too many to list, it really does what it says on the box. A bargain at the price so spend the extra money you'll save on buying a DSLR plus lenses on rechargeable batteries and chargers instead... Widescreen HD video through the telly looks great... 4 frames/second shooting makes sure you get "that" action shot....No messing about changing lenses, just zoom in.... No carrying bags of extra lenses about....I could go on forever.

CONS...The front of the lens is not threaded so not able to fit filters without an adaptor. None is available in the UK but an adaptor is available from a company called Lensmate in USA (Google it!!) $22 inc postage to UK, this will enable fitting 58mm thread filters.... 4:3 ratio video plays OK on my lowish spec laptop with VLC media player (Google it!!) BUT Widescreen HD video will need serious computing power to play the .mov file format on a PC, although there's no problems with the camera playing this through the telly.

RECOMMENDED EXTRA ACCESSORIES....8GB SDHC Card stores approx 2000 photos at highest quality setting....Lensmate SX1 58mm filer adaptor....UV filter....Circular polarizer filter....Lots of Energizer 2000 mah rechargeable batteries....Widescreen HD telly.

This is a beast of a camera. Be prepared to get yourself a good quality set of NiMH cells (preferably two sets) and a good charger or if you're very rich, just use Lithium cells. This is NOT a beginners camera - it is awesome! Basically you have the same control as with an SLR but without a "real" viewfinder of course - the one in the SX1 is electronic and not wonderful resolution - but zooms in on the area of focus when manually focusing so acceptable. You don't have the fuss of carrying several lenses with you everywhere and the risk of getting dust inside when swapping lenses. OK the f-stop range of the built in 20x zoom is a little limited but works fine for me.
You WILL have to read the manual twice to get even half of the features and how to use them latched into your head. I've tried the HD video and it looks great - but I don't have either a HD TV or a PC capable of playing it back properly (yet). But have made a 640x480 capture for use in work and that was excellent.
Quite a step up from my old PowerShot A70 and a very worthy replacement of my old OM10 system that fits in half the space of its body, 28mm, 50mm and 70-210 zoom and 2x converter.