Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Digital camera Review: Better than the Nikon P80
Summary: 4 Stars
I got the Canon SX10 because it seemed to be better than the Nikon P80. But when I brought it home, it frustrated me that I couldn't zoom in and focus on someone's eye while 5 feet away. (the P80 couldn't either) I also didn't think it did great in poor lighting without the flash. The files were a bit grainy, and sometimes it didn't focus.
So I returned it and got the Nikon P80. I fell in love with it because of the ease of use, the manual was so easy to understand, everything seemed wonderful. But when I compared the pictures side by side with the Canon pictures, Canon came out ahead. I took pictures with both cameras of the same things, at the same times and settings. The Canon images were more true to color, they were clearer, and flash didn't dominate or change the lighting. It performed better in almost everything, and it's a much more solid feeling camera.
THE VIDEO AND SOUND QUALITY WERE MILES APART!! The Nikon video was very grainy and not too focused. When I played it back on my computer, the mono sound was so hollow. But the Canon video was so clear I could see my reflection in my daughter's eye! And the sound is truly in stereo! There is NO comparison. You can even take still pics while doing a video with the Canon, but not with the Nikon.
Nikon is definitely better at taking sharp, clear images in poor lighting. But in the zoom, Canon is slightly ahead.
I don't really like the design of the Canon, specifically the location of the three buttons where my thumb likes to hold the camera. One of them is the DELETE button! I keep accidently pressing those buttons! They should not be there. There should be a rubber grip like on the Nikon, and nothing else.
Also, I like the lens cap better on the Nikon than on the Canon, but for the quality of the pics and especially the video and stereo sound, who cares about the cap!
Well, I went back to the store and asked for my Canon. They still had it in the same place when I had returned it the day before. I'm loving it now. I will learn to grip my camera wider so that I don't hit the buttons, and I will zoom out just a bit to get that perfect shot.
There is yet another thing. When I looked at the "details" for the files, the Nikon ones recorded at 300 dpi, and the Canon ones were only at 180 dpi. So I don't know what's going on there. They were both set at the highest, largest, superfine settings. Oh well. I still think the Canon SX10 performs better than the Nikon P80.
Digital camera Review: Big Zoom disappointing pictures
Summary: 3 Stars
Am I the only one that noticed the picture quality looks overexposed with little detail nor proper color levels. I'd try and find a S5IS which is a superior camera in regards to picture quality. I think the advantages of the "super zoom" are also part of the downfall. Looking through a tunnel, and you'll get pictures that reflect this aspect.
Take your time and look at the picture samples taken from the S5IS versus the XS10IS - base your decision on your taste, not what you read.
Digital camera Review: Big mistake of Canon
Summary: 2 Stars
It's Continuous shooting rate in sports mode can only reach 0.8 fps. Less than one frame per sec for a burst mode. You must be kidding me. It is a downgrade from S3 IS which has 2.1 frames/second.
Also the size is bigger.
Digital camera Review: Brilliant Camera but a couple DUMB Mistakes by CANON
Summary: 4 Stars
I brought this camera recently. It takes amazing photos, so i would highly recommend it.
I won't go much into all the positives, because that has been well articulated by others.
I love the swiveling LCD SCREEN, manual adjustments, the powerful zoom, face detect feature, and the crisp pictures it takes overall.
Hower, HOW DUMB can CANON engineers be to include some rather foolish poor designing in such a classy camera.
Let Me Start:
Number 1: You can use either the viewfinder, or the LCD Screen. So if you are using the viewfinder, and you take a shot, the recorded image will not show automatically on the lcd screen. Thus you have to tediously press the playback button to see the image, which leads me to my second point. (Note, on viewfinder mode, the shot imag shows in the viewfinder only)
Number 2: Given the importance of the playback button, given Canon's initial bad choice one would have thought that the PLAYBACK button would be well designed. Not at all, the playback button is rather small, and in a slight sink, requiring a certain degree of effort to depress. What careless engineering!!!!!
Number 3: The right hand grip creaks slightly when grasped. I am not sure if others have this issue as well. It is very very very minor, but should not be there anyways.
These are my gripes with the camera so far. Despite this, i am very happy with the camera and would purchase it again. especially if those 3 flaws are fixed. I would strongly recommend it to those wanting a rugged point and shoot, or the advanced power user wanting full manual control.
Digital camera Review: Bryan Odie
Summary: 5 Stars
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!