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

Good quality build,solid and heavier than other makes which helps when taking handheld shots.Big advantage compared to using a DSLR is no messy lense changes + handy Super Macro function at wide angle. The CMOS censor and very usefull vari angle LCD screen are worth paying extra for together with some DSLR functions not found on other bridge cameras. Essential for spectacle warers are the diopter control and rubber viewfinder surround and you can attach flashguns for more professional use. It would be handy to be able to protect the lense with a skylight or UV filter especially if you use the Super macro setting a lot.

I have nothing to say about the picture quality of this camera. The photos come out very sharp and good quality. However, the first camera I received had a faulty memory card slot that wasn't ejecting the SD card. Received a replacement from Amazon and after 2 months of usage, now there is a connection problem with the LCD Display. The LCD display just turns itself off at random times and now I have to send it to a repair centre. It is under warranty but camera is surely not the quality I have expected from Canon. Another major annoyance is being unable to watch the HD videos I take on any of my PC's because my PC's are not the latest spec. Especially all the people commenting here about converting the videos to standard resolution etc. Excuse me but I didn't pay over £400 to deal with converting movies. Canon has to make sure it works. Even with Canon's own video codec I can't play these videos. And one more thing; was it really too expensive for Canon to add an HDMI cable to the box? It only costs about £5 online. If you are manufacturing an HD Camera, please add that to the package next time and reflect this to the price if you have to. Camera is still shipped with a crappy analog video cable.

I've had this camera for a few months now and on the whole I have been very impressed, but it's not without it's flaws.

The impressive bits are first and foremost the lens - it's fantastic, having something that goes from 28mm to 560mm is REALLY useful. I've got shots I would have missed, or lacked any impact otherwise. The addition of RAW is nice, and is now supported by Adobe Lightroom latest update. The SX1 feels good in the hand and about as easy to use as a camera this well specified can be. HD video is much better than I expected, sharp, well exposed, with a functioning zoom, focus and good stereo audio. Image stabilisation is excellent allowing hand held shots at very low speeds even at full zoom (1/30 at 560mm is easily achievable - see picture).

The flaws? Well noise is an issue, even with RAW files. It's not a deal breaker and on an A4 print most people would not notice - but it is there - those moving from a compact to the SX1 may not notice anything, but anyone coming from a recent DSLR may be disappointed. RAW files don't have the expose latitude you might expect either, still better than JPEG though. Choice of aperture settings is limited. Filming in HD means switching to wide screen mode, which does not support RAW when taking still pictures and it's easy to forget to switch back to 4:3 mode and RAW once you're done. Fast panning in movie mode will result in 'leaning' verticals. Some buttons a bit too easy to press by accident, and the mode wheel requires a rather delicate touch, you adapt but it can be irritating to start with. Finally the build is a little bit plasticy in places.

While I may be rather critical, I feel these are just comments on what is a pretty expensive bridge camera, especially considering the very similar SX10 (no HD video, no RAW) is about 30% cheaper. Having said all that though this is still an superb choice for those who do not wish to lug an SLR and lenses around with them and don't want to compromise too much on image quality. In spite of my moans I still recommend the SX1 - with a different (G10?) sensor it could be amazing.

Having seen a top rating in a photo mag for the cheaper SX10 model I had expected the SX1 to equal, if not surpass in performance but how mistaken I was. In fact, I wished I had done more research.

In line with some online reviews I have found the sensor to be way too noisy. It would appear the change to CMOS was done to allow HD video and for no other reason and what results is significant grain even at low ISO settings. Go anything over 100 ISO and it's a BIG issue.

As with most 'bridge' cameras the "fringeing" - or chromatic abberation - can be pronounced and is quite noticeable in scenes where trees are against a sky. Both of these failings require quite some work in Photoshop to fix.

Image quality is consistent accross the range although macro could be clearer. Image stabalisation is up to Canon's usual high standard and allows handheld shots even at full zoom.

Overall, the pictures are sharper than my old Olympus SP - but one would expect that on a camera that is 3MP higher resolution.

The construction is good and feels solid with a responsive zoom and low shutter lag. The fold out and swivel screen is helpful for macro shots and other awkward situations. Menus are easily navigable with the only niggle being the wheel on the rear for rotating through selections which sometimes is unresponsive.

Overall then I have to say this camera is not worth the high price tag. For a company with such a pedigree to produce a high priced camera that gives terrible image noise and colour fringeing hints at either lazyness or a work in progress. Perhaps they are waiting for feedback on the CMOS image handling before making a decision whether to stick with it. My feedback is definitely negative.

As my main need is for good sports tracking and the item is not faulty I will keep this camera - while I save up for something better - but I cannot honestly recommend it. Unless you really, really need the HD movie recording I would suggest you look to the cheaper SX10 with the older sensor and spend the saving on some accessories instead.

You have been warned.

I am not a dedicated photographer, but enjoy taking photos, so I was not looking for an SLR. I have had the camera for a little over a week and I am very happy. The weather has been variable and I have had nice shots in all conditions. The Macro mode seems good in comparison to what I've seen from friends cameras and the zoom is impressive. Currently there is little to compete and so I see this as a camera I can keep for a few years without feeling frustrated from new cameras (especially with the HD video).

I have not had a canon camera before, but I am now comfortable around most of the menu and settings. However I know there is so much more available, but I havn't had the time to go through the massive elctronic user guide.

The worst thing I've had from this camera is the high ISO photos. There is definatly more noise than I expected.