Canon Powershot SX1 IS 10.0 Megapixel Extended Zoom Reviews Roundup
The Canon Powershot SX1 IS is a super zoom digital camera. It is one of the latest breed with an extra long 20x optical zoom lens. At the time of its introduction this matches the longest lens available on a compact digital camera. This is a 10 megapixel model. There is plenty of flexibility built into the lens. As well as its obvious telephoto quality the lens is also wide angle. This gives you the best of both worlds making the Powershot SX1 IS equally at home with landscape or interior shots where there is a wide scene to fit into the picture; as it is with distance shots such as for sports or wildlife photo opportunities.
As you would expect the camera has image stabilisation built in. This is a useful feature with the longer lens and can help to reduce picture blur caused by unsteady hands.
To complete the package the Powershot SX1 IS has a selection of advanced features including manual exposure modes. All in all, this camera is a good choice for a more serious photographer.
Canon Powershot SX1 IS Sample Photos on Flickr
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User Review of the camera - Canon Powershot SX1 IS
Not for people who have no clue what they are doing, or those who would submerge it in Coca-Cola., GrahamRoman
It's a camera. It's a well-priced camera. It's not a DSLR. It's not a cell phone camera. It shoots excellent h.264 video, and takes decent low contrast photos. If you aren't sticking them into Photoshop, you don't need this camera anyway.
pretty good until lens error, A Customer
based on many helpful reviews you have the low down on what the camera (sx1is) can do, both positive/negative, so I will not go into it except to say the video is awesome outside even in overcast conditions but once the lighting drops to average indoor or darker, the video is sub-par as the thing goes in and out of focus...and yes, I read the instructions. as well documented, it is an average picture taker. though this a hybrid (pics/vids), this camera is more about video imo and for that it is mostly worth the price.
however, the reason for my review is to ensure that anyone pondering this camera research the infamous "lens error, restart camera" that has suddenly bubbled forth with my sx1is. this sporadic and infuriating problem renders the camera inop for however long and leaves the camera undependable. It is a thoroughly unacceptable issue to tolerate from a respected company.
I have had this camera for just over a year without issue and without a bang or drop or anything out of norm.
canon support recommend you try what you have already researched on the web and when that does not solve the problem, send it in--I am in that process as I write this. word has it from literally hundreds suffering this error across canon cameras, as seen on the web, is that you will get a refurb that can also suffer the lens error problem.
EDIT: this review is provided with the understanding the camera issue began just after the 1yr. warranty concluded and that the options are repair and refurb, at a price.
buyer beware; research lens error for all canon cameras. I researched this camera but did not research crippling lens error faults.
pretty good until lens error, Sam "Sam"
based on many helpful reviews you have the low down on what the camera (sx1is) can do, both positive/negative, so I will not go into it except to say the video is awesome outside even in overcast conditions but once the lighting drops to average indoor or darker, the video is sub-par as the thing goes in and out of focus...and yes, I read the instructions. as well documented, it is an average picture taker. though this a hybrid (pics/vids), this camera is more about video imo and for that it is mostly worth the price.
however, the reason for my review is to ensure that anyone pondering this camera research the infamous "lens error, restart camera" that has suddenly bubbled forth with my sx1is. this sporadic and infuriating problem renders the camera inop for however long and leaves the camera undependable. It is a thoroughly unacceptable issue to tolerate from a respected company.
I have had this camera for just over a year without issue and without a bang or drop or anything out of norm.
canon support recommend you try what you have already researched on the web and when that does not solve the problem, send it in--I am in that process as I write this. word has it from literally hundreds suffering this error across canon cameras, as seen on the web, is that you will get a refurb that can also suffer the lens error problem.
EDIT: this review is provided with the understanding the camera issue began just after the 1yr. warranty concluded and that the options are repair and refurb, at a price.
buyer beware; research lens error for all canon cameras. I researched this camera but did not research crippling lens error faults.
pretty good until lens error, Sam "Sam"
based on many helpful reviews you have the low down on what the camera (sx1is) can do, both positive/negative, so I will not go into it except to say the video is awesome outside even in overcast conditions but once the lighting drops to average indoor or darker, the video is sub-par as the thing goes in and out of focus...and yes, I read the instructions. as well documented, it is an average picture taker. though this a hybrid (pics/vids), this camera is more about video imo and for that it is mostly worth the price.
however, the reason for my review is to ensure that anyone pondering this camera research the infamous "lens error, restart camera" that has suddenly bubbled forth with my sx1is. this sporadic and infuriating problem renders the camera inop for however long and leaves the camera undependable. It is a thoroughly unacceptable issue to tolerate from a respected company.
I have had this camera for just over a year without issue and without a bang or drop or anything out of norm.
canon support recommend you try what you have already researched on the web and when that does not solve the problem, send it in--I am in that process as I write this. word has it from literally hundreds suffering this error across canon cameras, as seen on the web, is that you will get a refurb that can also suffer the lens error problem.
EDIT: this review is provided with the understanding the camera issue began just after the 1yr. warranty concluded and that the options are repair and refurb, at a price.
buyer beware; research lens error for all canon cameras. I researched this camera but did not research crippling lens error faults.
pretty good until lens error, Sam "Sam"
based on many helpful reviews you have the low down on what the camera (sx1is) can do, both positive/negative, so I will not go into it except to say the video is awesome outside even in overcast conditions but once the lighting drops to average indoor or darker, the video is sub-par as the thing goes in and out of focus...and yes, I read the instructions. as well documented, it is an average picture taker. though this a hybrid (pics/vids), this camera is more about video imo and for that it is mostly worth the price.
however, the reason for my review is to ensure that anyone pondering this camera research the infamous "lens error, restart camera" that has suddenly bubbled forth with my sx1is. this sporadic and infuriating problem renders the camera inop for however long and leaves the camera undependable. It is a thoroughly unacceptable issue to tolerate from a respected company.
I have had this camera for just over a year without issue and without a bang or drop or anything out of norm.
canon support recommend you try what you have already researched on the web and when that does not solve the problem, send it in--I am in that process as I write this. word has it from literally hundreds suffering this error across canon cameras, as seen on the web, is that you will get a refurb that can also suffer the lens error problem.
EDIT: this review is provided with the understanding the camera issue began just after the 1yr. warranty concluded and that the options are repair and refurb, at a price.
buyer beware; research lens error for all canon cameras. I researched this camera but did not research crippling lens error faults.
This camera sucks, A Customer
I have the SX1 IS and hate it. If you are going to spend the money do it on a camera that takes crisp pictures. We have a point and shoot camera that takes better photos then this expensive battery draining piece of crap. It does take good movies though, 1080p is impressive. Its a camcorder not a camera!
This camera sucks, Lance Thompson "WaKaMoLeee"
I have the SX1 IS and hate it. If you are going to spend the money do it on a camera that takes crisp pictures. We have a point and shoot camera that takes better photos then this expensive battery draining piece of crap. It does take good movies though, 1080p is impressive. Its a camcorder not a camera!
good macros, poor lens, expensive, C. A. Benson
This camera can take very good macros; however, in low light conditions it has a great deal of noise in all pictures. At 28mm, there was lens distortion which is to be expected, but for the very annoying barrel distortion. Another annoying feature was colour fringing, that was very difficult to correct. The worst feature was that the lens mechanism lasted for only 15 months, 3 months over the warranty period. In spite of these bad features, it could produce some very good pictures in good light, and it was very good for taking macros. It was an interesting camera to use, but the bottom line is that without a good lens you can not expect good pictures. There are less expensive better quality single lens cameras in the market place.
Amazing Video Quality..., A Customer
Photos lacked the quality that I'm use to. that's because I mainly use DSLR's. This camera was for my wife. I have since sold it and bought her a smaller canon camera.
Amazing Video Quality..., T. Farris
Photos lacked the quality that I'm use to. that's because I mainly use DSLR's. This camera was for my wife. I have since sold it and bought her a smaller canon camera.
Amazing Video Quality..., T. Farris
Photos lacked the quality that I'm use to. that's because I mainly use DSLR's. This camera was for my wife. I have since sold it and bought her a smaller canon camera.
Amazing Video Quality..., T. Farris
Photos lacked the quality that I'm use to. that's because I mainly use DSLR's. This camera was for my wife. I have since sold it and bought her a smaller canon camera.
digital camera, J. F. Williams
What a great buy, extremely fast shipping, and great communication with the seller. That's why I keep comming back to amazon. the camera was every thing the seller said it was, and more. he was right, I love it.........
digital camera, J. F. Williams
What a great buy, extremely fast shipping, and great communication with the seller. That's why I keep comming back to amazon. the camera was every thing the seller said it was, and more. he was right, I love it.........
digital camera, J. F. Williams
What a great buy, extremely fast shipping, and great communication with the seller. That's why I keep comming back to amazon. the camera was every thing the seller said it was, and more. he was right, I love it.........
Hands down the best hybrid camera I ever bought!, Flight Guy
When I bought this camera it was for the hybrid capabilities and the impressive array of features for the price class.
Pros:
- Awesome HD video quality
- Powerful 20x optical zoom
- Quality optical stabilizer
- Quality construction
Cons:
- Only average image quality
- Confusing settings and modes
Summary:
If you are looking for a very good hybrid cam that offers an impressive array of features but puts more emphasis on video quality then this is the perfect cam. Yes, the settings and modes can be a bit confusing but with a little usage they can be mastered.
Brief Review:
Frankly I bought this camera with the intention of taking still images with it but I also wanted 1080p video capability (in case I don't have my much more expensive video camera with me). After taking several hundred images I found the still image quality to be unimpressive (or about average).
It was when I switched it to video mode that I was blown away. The quality and color depth when set to "vivid" preset was absolutely stunning! In fact, it was so good I immediately got rid of my dedicated video cam. Ironically, I love the video quality so much I have all but stopped taking pictures.
Hands down the best hybrid camera I ever bought!, Flight Guy
When I bought this camera it was for the hybrid capabilities and the impressive array of features for the price class.
Pros:
- Awesome HD video quality
- Powerful 20x optical zoom
- Quality optical stabilizer
- Quality construction
Cons:
- Only average image quality
- Confusing settings and modes
Summary:
If you are looking for a very good hybrid cam that offers an impressive array of features but puts more emphasis on video quality then this is the perfect cam. Yes, the settings and modes can be a bit confusing but with a little usage they can be mastered.
Brief Review:
Frankly I bought this camera with the intention of taking still images with it but I also wanted 1080p video capability (in case I don't have my much more expensive video camera with me). After taking several hundred images I found the still image quality to be unimpressive (or about average).
It was when I switched it to video mode that I was blown away. The quality and color depth when set to "vivid" preset was absolutely stunning! In fact, it was so good I immediately got rid of my dedicated video cam. Ironically, I love the video quality so much I have all but stopped taking pictures.
Hands down the best hybrid camera I ever bought!, A Customer
When I bought this camera it was for the hybrid capabilities and the impressive array of features for the price class.
Pros:
- Awesome HD video quality
- Powerful 20x optical zoom
- Quality optical stabilizer
- Quality construction
Cons:
- Only average image quality
- Confusing settings and modes
Summary:
If you are looking for a very good hybrid cam that offers an impressive array of features but puts more emphasis on video quality then this is the perfect cam. Yes, the settings and modes can be a bit confusing but with a little usage they can be mastered.
Brief Review:
Frankly I bought this camera with the intention of taking still images with it but I also wanted 1080p video capability (in case I don't have my much more expensive video camera with me). After taking several hundred images I found the still image quality to be unimpressive (or about average).
It was when I switched it to video mode that I was blown away. The quality and color depth when set to "vivid" preset was absolutely stunning! In fact, it was so good I immediately got rid of my dedicated video cam. Ironically, I love the video quality so much I have all but stopped taking pictures.
Hands down the best hybrid camera I ever bought!, Flight Guy
When I bought this camera it was for the hybrid capabilities and the impressive array of features for the price class.
Pros:
- Awesome HD video quality
- Powerful 20x optical zoom
- Quality optical stabilizer
- Quality construction
Cons:
- Only average image quality
- Confusing settings and modes
Summary:
If you are looking for a very good hybrid cam that offers an impressive array of features but puts more emphasis on video quality then this is the perfect cam. Yes, the settings and modes can be a bit confusing but with a little usage they can be mastered.
Brief Review:
Frankly I bought this camera with the intention of taking still images with it but I also wanted 1080p video capability (in case I don't have my much more expensive video camera with me). After taking several hundred images I found the still image quality to be unimpressive (or about average).
It was when I switched it to video mode that I was blown away. The quality and color depth when set to "vivid" preset was absolutely stunning! In fact, it was so good I immediately got rid of my dedicated video cam. Ironically, I love the video quality so much I have all but stopped taking pictures.
Don't buy this camera, Victoria Kelber "vkmarco"
I would not recommend this camera. It is very heavy and the image quality is not very good. However, the biggest problem is that, from the beginning, all of my photos have a dark smudge in the center top. I returned the camera for repair under warranty; it was returned to me with the same problem. I am about to return it for the second time, but I am not optimistic that Canon will resolve the issue.