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




  • 28 to 560 mm equivalent in 35 - mm terms . This means that , from about 12 feet away , I could on Christmas morning make one exposure that encompassed the room , all the decorations , and the day's several celebrants , and without moving , fill the frame with a single ornament on the tree on the other side of the room . Both are remarkable in their own way . One of the things I have missed in moving to compact digital cameras from high-end 35mm cameras was a seriously wide angle lens . A 28 mm lens gets a lot of wear and tear in the kit of a serious 35mm shooter , begin used both indoors and out to capture wide expanses . Having a 28 mm short end of a zoom is vastly different than calling 35 mm wide angle . On the other end of the scale , 560 mm is a lot of lens , and one would seldom attempt to hand-hold that much lens with a conventional 35 mm system . Image stabilization , however , allows sharp shots hand-held with the long lens . Image stabilization is said to allow a gain of 2 stops in exposure latitude . The usual rule of thumb is to reach for a tripod whenever your shutter speed is slower than the inverse of your lens length ( i.e . , 1 / 30 sec for a 28 mm lens , 1 / 60 for a normal 50 to 55 mm lens , 1 / 250 for the long end of an ordinary zoom in the 210 to 270 mm range . With practice , photographers can often beat that rule by one stop , but with IS I have beaten the rule by 3 to 4 stops with tack-sharp results . The reason that Canon digitals attract a lot of gray-haired photographers with extensive 35 - mm experience is because most of their cameras have easy access to shutter - and aperture-priority modes and a fully manual mode in addition to the several programmed modes on the dial . There are times when us old geezers look at a prospective shot , identify potential exposure problems , and solve them by selecting a specific shutter speed or aperture value , or sometimes both . Such settings remain easy to access and manipulate with the SX10 , and the other specialized program sets are well-conceived , if rather standard , and equally easy to access with the control dial . The control dial also has a setting that can be customized to give quick control-dial access to a set of features and settings that the owner anticipates using frequently - thank you , Canon , for recognizing that your customers have brains of their own . The software has some pretty gee-whiz features . Face detection seems to work very well , and the camera can pick out all the faces in a frame and it allows you to select one to be highest priority in focus and exposure . Even more remarkable is a delayed exposure option that counts the faces in the frame when the shutter button is pressed , then recognizes when a new face ( the photographer's ) shows up , and fires two seconds later . I am not sure how often it will be used , but the very capability is a remarkable bit of intelligence to be present in a camera . Focusing can be set to face-detection or a defined-zone system that starts with a central square and can be shifted by the photographer . Exposure options include evaluative , full-frame center-weighted , or spot metering , and the spot meter can be linked to the focus frame . The focus frame can be blown up either prior to shooting or in review to check focus . ( I found this feature to be a bit distracting to composition , so I turned it off in the menus but I can imagine situations in which I might reactivate it . ) Auto focus can be set to continuous or shutter-button activated ; servo focus off or on . The flash is activated to raising or lower it ; auto and forced flash is available ; a red-eye lamp is pretty ineffective and can be turned off , as can the focus-assist beam ; flash can be synced to first or second curtain . Stitch assist includes not only the usual left-to-right and right-to-left options , but also top-to-bottom , bottom-to-top , and a four-shot two-dimensional rectangle . I can go on about the settings , but the reader can access that information by reading the owner's manual at the Canon website . The key point is versatility - you can set and override darn near everything on this camera . Picture quality is quite good . Ten megapixels is a lot to cram onto a small sensor , and some folks have reported some chromic aberration , or purple fringing . Chromic aberration is worst at sharp edges of high contrast . I have made deliberate attempts to produce chromic aberrations , and have been inconsistently successful , having produced the dreaded purple fringe only on some shots , and visible only after extensive enlargement . I have not yet had a picture that I thought was significantly affected by chromic aberration when viewed at a reasonable magnification . So is the SX10 a perfect camera ? No , but it is awfully good ; its capabilities rival the best 35 mm cameras in many ways , and its digital capabilities allow it to offer features impossible with 35 mm cameras , like stitch assist , creative color options , and contrast controls . I would love for it to have larger sensor , but we all know that the manufacturers are going to protect their D-SLR lines , and the technical aspects of designing lenses small enough for a compact camera that still serve larger sensors are said to be quite formidable . A wider range of aperture settings would be nice - I am sure that everyone would like a little more speed , and that would allow further narrowing of the depth of field for portraiture , but my appeal would be for another stop or two on the smaller side , so that the 28 - mm setting can be used with knowledge of depth of field for foreground-to-infinity sharpness in landscape works . ( Few people realize these days that Ansel Adams worked mostly with f-stops of 64 ! ) But , all of you old 35 mm devotees out there please admit it - if you were ever crazy enough to dream of a 28 - 560 zoom with this good of an optical quality , you would have killed to own one , and you would have expected to mortgage your house to be able to afford it . So overall - extreme versatility in hardware and software , very good image quality , and a highly user-friendly design make the SX10 difficult to exceed in a single-lens camera . Multiple lenses and a larger D-SLR body add some image quality and perhaps some additional capabilities , but the additional abilities will be quite esoteric for most users , and the difference in image quality will seldom be justified by the expense and , more important on most days , the extra bulk and weight of a multi-lens system . The SX10 should receive serious consideration from anyone desiring a high quality digital camera but reluctant invest in a D-SLR system .
    • 001 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I've owned each new version of this camera since the Powershot S2IS . For me this is a worthwhile upgrade over the prior version , the S5IS . I'll start by saying that I am not a digital camera power user . I just want good quality photos without a lot of hassle . This camera provides that , yet also provides a lot of room for growth with plenty of custom settings that I can use if I want to learn how to use them in the future ( for example , aperture priority ) . Pros : - In initial testing , the face detection technology seems to work well . I can take a self portrait now and the lighting comes out very good . I think the technology has gone from buzzword marketing to true usefulness . - One side benefit of the face detection technology is that it enables the camera to intelligently take red-eye out of pictures without using the red-eye reduction lamp . - The flip-out and rotating viewfinder has always and continues to set this camera apart from its peers from other companies . It allows for less intrusive candid photos and has many other advantages . - Thankfully , the SD card door is separate from the battery door as it was with the S3IS . Thank you Canon ! There are times that I just want to take a few pictures , and now I don't have to open the battery door to take the SD card out and put in my PC's card reader . - Low battery warning . I think this is the first version to have that and it's very welcome . - 28mm - - I will never get another camera without wide angle built in . I have the Canon Elph 880IS too , which is a very powerful pocketable camera that complements this one well . - Sharp 20x zoom . Pictures turn out very good even at high zooms . In an indoor-lit apartment , I can read fairly small print from a photo taken all the way across a room - - it truly is amazing . - The picture quality is better at higher ISO's than previous models . Each model improves on this and this one definitely continues that . I haven't tried out the I-Contrast setting ( on vs . off ) but I can say that in some outdoor pictures that I have taken detail is good in shadow areas . - Finally , a standard lens-cap . It doesn't have a tether , but you can buy a cap attachment from a camera store that sticks on the front of the cap . The one that I got has an elastic band that goes around the base of the lens . I also got a better lens cap which can now be done since it's standard . - Controls . . . I like the new placement of the controls such as dedicated on-off button and display button . I don't think I will like the scroll wheel but time will tell . For those not familiar with this camera , there is a dedicated video button so that you can take video quickly without having to mess with the controls . - Weight and shape . I liked the shape of the S5IS a little better . This one seems too boxy and the grip seems too abrupt . It's bigger and heavier but not in a way that matters . It's expected with the new lens . The only thing I would have liked to see improved is the size of the rotating display . It's usable , but the 3 one on my pocket SD880IS is much better , and competing cameras offer a larger display . In order to get a larger display though the electronic viewfinder would probably have to be eliminated which is something that many wouldn't like . I'd rather have a larger display . I don't know if the compressed movie mode results in less quality because I didn't take movies with prior versions of this camera because the file size was larger . I like that videos take up less space now and I will use the video feature of this version . Canon released a camera similar to this with HD video capabilities but it's not available , as far as I know , in the U.S . Check the Canon website for more info . if you want to research that . There is not a way to screw filters on this camera as there was with the optional lens adapters available for the S5IS . It seems that Canon could have easily done this by threading the end of the lens but maybe I am missing something . I anticipate that Canon or some other company will come out with an adapter that will allow filters . My main use of filters was simply to protect the lens . I don't know if the software is improved because I don't use it . If you want date / time stamps on your photos , you need to do it via software . If you like this camera and are interested in a great pocket-sized camera to complement this one , check out the SD880IS . It has many of the same features such as the Digic 4 chip , face detection , wide angle , I-contrast , and in addition it has a beautiful 3 display . Update 10 - 26 - 08 - I previously commented that I thought the shape was too boxy and the grip too abrupt . After using the camera for a while I have grown to like the shape because it helps keep the camera more steady and helps prevent dropping it . There is a ridge below where the index finger is , and above the other 3 fingers holding the camera . That helps keep a good grip on the camera which makes it steadier while shooting and helps prevent dropping it while carrying it around .
    • 008 4  The Canon SX10 IS is a very impressive superzoom camera . The ergonomics of the SX10 are excellent . The camera feel substantial but not overly heavy in the hand , and the fingers wrap around the grip very naturally and securely , leaving thumb and fingers well position for the controls . The menus seem very intuitive to me - almost all the settings are where I expect to find them . ( This may be partly because I have owned several A-series cameras and know the Canon menus system , but I recall thinking with my first A-series camera that the menu distribution made a lot of sense . ) The menu settings include a customizable menu list that can be set to include the users most frequently accessed menu items , edited to the order of the owner's choosing , and , if desired , set to be the default menu on initial access of the menu functions - overall a means of truly customizing the camera to one's own particular needs and uses . Many users will join me in applauding the presence of focal-length markings on the lens barrel - a nice feature that means a lot to more experienced photographers but is notably lacking on the models of most other manufacturers . The range of capabilities of this camera is remarkable . Begin with the lens : 28 to 560 mm equivalent in 35 - mm terms . This means that , from about 12 feet away , I could on Christmas morning make one exposure that encompassed the room , all the decorations , and the day's several celebrants , and without moving , fill the frame with a single ornament on the tree on the other side of the room . Both are remarkable in their own way . One of the things I have missed in moving to compact digital cameras from high-end 35mm cameras was a seriously wide angle lens . A 28 mm lens gets a lot of wear and tear in the kit of a serious 35mm shooter , begin used both indoors and out to capture wide expanses . Having a 28 mm short end of a zoom is vastly different than calling 35 mm wide angle . On the other end of the scale , 560 mm is a lot of lens , and one would seldom attempt to hand-hold that much lens with a conventional 35 mm system . Image stabilization , however , allows sharp shots hand-held with the long lens . Image stabilization is said to allow a gain of 2 stops in exposure latitude . The usual rule of thumb is to reach for a tripod whenever your shutter speed is slower than the inverse of your lens length ( i.e . , 1 / 30 sec for a 28 mm lens , 1 / 60 for a normal 50 to 55 mm lens , 1 / 250 for the long end of an ordinary zoom in the 210 to 270 mm range . With practice , photographers can often beat that rule by one stop , but with IS I have beaten the rule by 3 to 4 stops with tack-sharp results . The reason that Canon digitals attract a lot of gray-haired photographers with extensive 35 - mm experience is because most of their cameras have easy access to shutter - and aperture-priority modes and a fully manual mode in addition to the several programmed modes on the dial . There are times when us old geezers look at a prospective shot , identify potential exposure problems , and solve them by selecting a specific shutter speed or aperture value , or sometimes both . Such settings remain easy to access and manipulate with the SX10 , and the other specialized program sets are well-conceived , if rather standard , and equally easy to access with the control dial . The control dial also has a setting that can be customized to give quick control-dial access to a set of features and settings that the owner anticipates using frequently - thank you , Canon , for recognizing that your customers have brains of their own . The software has some pretty gee-whiz features . Face detection seems to work very well , and the camera can pick out all the faces in a frame and it allows you to select one to be highest priority in focus and exposure . Even more remarkable is a delayed exposure option that counts the faces in the frame when the shutter button is pressed , then recognizes when a new face ( the photographer's ) shows up , and fires two seconds later . I am not sure how often it will be used , but the very capability is a remarkable bit of intelligence to be present in a camera . Focusing can be set to face-detection or a defined-zone system that starts with a central square and can be shifted by the photographer . Exposure options include evaluative , full-frame center-weighted , or spot metering , and the spot meter can be linked to the focus frame . The focus frame can be blown up either prior to shooting or in review to check focus . ( I found this feature to be a bit distracting to composition , so I turned it off in the menus but I can imagine situations in which I might reactivate it . ) Auto focus can be set to continuous or shutter-button activated ; servo focus off or on . The flash is activated to raising or lower it ; auto and forced flash is available ; a red-eye lamp is pretty ineffective and can be turned off , as can the focus-assist beam ; flash can be synced to first or second curtain . Stitch assist includes not only the usual left-to-right and right-to-left options , but also top-to-bottom , bottom-to-top , and a four-shot two-dimensional rectangle . I can go on about the settings , but the reader can access that information by reading the owner's manual at the Canon website . The key point is versatility - you can set and override darn near everything on this camera . Picture quality is quite good . Ten megapixels is a lot to cram onto a small sensor , and some folks have reported some chromic aberration , or purple fringing . Chromic aberration is worst at sharp edges of high contrast . I have made deliberate attempts to produce chromic aberrations , and have been inconsistently successful , having produced the dreaded purple fringe only on some shots , and visible only after extensive enlargement . I have not yet had a picture that I thought was significantly affected by chromic aberration when viewed at a reasonable magnification . So is the SX10 a perfect camera ? No , but it is awfully good ; its capabilities rival the best 35 mm cameras in many ways , and its digital capabilities allow it to offer features impossible with 35 mm cameras , like stitch assist , creative color options , and contrast controls . I would love for it to have larger sensor , but we all know that the manufacturers are going to protect their D-SLR lines , and the technical aspects of designing lenses small enough for a compact camera that still serve larger sensors are said to be quite formidable . A wider range of aperture settings would be nice - I am sure that everyone would like a little more speed , and that would allow further narrowing of the depth of field for portraiture , but my appeal would be for another stop or two on the smaller side , so that the 28 - mm setting can be used with knowledge of depth of field for foreground-to-infinity sharpness in landscape works . ( Few people realize these days that Ansel Adams worked mostly with f-stops of 64 ! ) But , all of you old 35 mm devotees out there please admit it - if you were ever crazy enough to dream of a 28 - 560 zoom with this good of an optical quality , you would have killed to own one , and you would have expected to mortgage your house to be able to afford it . So overall - extreme versatility in hardware and software , very good image quality , and a highly user-friendly design make the SX10 difficult to exceed in a single-lens camera . Multiple lenses and a larger D-SLR body add some image quality and perhaps some additional capabilities , but the additional abilities will be quite esoteric for most users , and the difference in image quality will seldom be justified by the expense and , more important on most days , the extra bulk and weight of a multi-lens system . The SX10 should receive serious consideration from anyone desiring a high quality digital camera but reluctant invest in a D-SLR system .
    • 009 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I've had my SX10 for about a week and am very impressed with it's versatility . I tend to read all the user reviews I can before making a purchase and did that with the SX10 . I also tested the camera with my own card in a local store and compared video and stills on the same card to the Pany TZ28 . I am very interested in video and was attracted to the Pany because of its HD video . However , in testing , the SX10 was overall very superior . It has excellent color , unbelievable IS , smooth zoom , very nice stereo sound , and fool proof autofocus . I found the Pany to be weak in all those areas . I prefer the better all around video to the HD of the Pany . Initially , I was spooked by the reports of a slow lens during medium to max zoom , 5.6 to be exact . I read enough reports to be convinced that the slow lens would not be especially restrictive for me due to compensation in ISO and speed setting , made possible by the excellent image stabilization . I have found the lens to be just fine , even at max zoom . I also found that the lens is fast enough for indoor non flash photography . I even tested the ISO 3200 setting , which requires a lower mp setting . I printed these out at 3x5 and the pictures were very good . At first , the LCD seemed dark . After I turned up the setting to bright , it was better . After using it awhile , it seems fine . The EVF is large and bright , the best I've seen . When the professional reviews come out , there will certainly be knocks on the slow lens . In my opinion , this is more of a theoretical limitation than a practical one . If you like the camera , don't be spooked by the slow lens comments . If you're not sure , buy from Amazon with their excellent return policy . One really solid feature is the wide angle of the lens . This was not a feature I thought I wanted or needed . Now that I've seen the wide angle , I'll never have another camera without it . There are many other features that most will enjoy , including the dedicated video button , AA batteries , custom settings etc . I think average and very serious photographers alike will be happy with the SX10 .
    • 011 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I have owned and loved every S series camera since the S2 and so I was very apprehensive when I learned that they had made dramatic changes to the next iteration . The size is bigger , the zoom is longer , video files more compressed and the button layout has been switched around a good deal . It's not that I resist change , I just believe that if you've got a good thing going - DON'T MESS WITH IT ! But I had already promised my photo-loving little sister that I'd give her my S5 when the new one came out so I figured I had to at least give it a try , so I went ahead and ordered it . I was most worried about the new video format as that was my favorite feature of the previous cameras , so as soon as I received the SX10 I ripped it out of the box , threw a 4gb extreme 3 memory card in and hit the record button . 4gb provided a little more than 45 minutes of the highest quality of video on the new . mov format , while on the S5 ' s . avi , I got a little less than 30 minutes , but I've never been one to complain about the size of the files - just the quality ! I walked around , trying to test it in as many ways possible , bright light , low light , wide open , fully zoomed , inside , outside , etc . I could tell that this camera had a more difficult time staying in focus when I zoomed in and out than the previous S cameras , but it wasn't appallingly bad , and I figured if that was the worst thing , it would still be a wonderful camera . So I watched the video on my computer and even though I was annoyed with having to use quicktime and found it a little less convenient ( . avi files are displayed in windows with a picture of the first frame , making them very easily identified , whereas . mov files just show the quicktime Q , meaning I would have to come up with catchy titles for all of my many video clips ) , I had to admit that the video quality was still quite good , and I think the audio is even a little better ( that might just be the camera though ) . At this point I'll talk about my impressions of the body handling . It is definitely larger than the S5 , but still not nearly as large as any SLR I've ever handled - it still has a relatively compact feel , expecially considering it zooms all the way to 560mm ! The grip in the right hand does feel a little weak and slippery , but I didn't ever have a problem with it slipping . In the left hand though , it actually feels quite nice as the larger lens protrusion gives you something to hold on to , including some very functional ridges along the bottom . So I'd say the ergonomics are very decent . The buttons are placed fairly well ( I'd switch the play button with the function button ) and they all feel nice . The wheel I hated , but I'll get to that later . So it barely passed the first test , but I still wasn't convinced and I cleared 6 hours from my Saturday to really give it a thorough examination . I also brought my SD1100 just to have something to compare the pics and vids too . I tried testing every limit of this camera as I stalked a crane , observed an ant colony , tried ( unsuccessfully ) to catch fish as they sprang from the water and just enjoyed a wonderful day among nature . Within the first five minutes I had come across two fairly serious issues . The colors and exposure of the viewfinder were terrible ; things that shouldn't have been blown out were , and I had a difficult time composing a shot as nothing looked nice ! The second problem came when I switched to manual ( my preferred shooting method ) and realized that the wheel had actually made things more complicated as now you have to adjust exposure and shutter speed on the same wheel and switch between them by pushing a button , whereas before up-down ( on the 4 way selector ) did the exposure and left-right did shutter speed . The interface has been improved but that was little consolation as I found this to be very frustrating . But even all of this could have been forgiven if everything else was great . The flip screen was as good as ever , so I pushed on . When I was finished I was actually feeling pretty good . I really enjoyed the extra zoom on this camera and I thought it handled very well . I had my reservations still , but I felt like I could get over them and learn to really love this camera . Not to mention I was really excited about some of the pictures I had taken and wanted to get back to my computer and see how they really looked . This is when things got ugly , pun intended . I've read all the other reviews and I know some people say this camera produces sharp pics , throughout the entire zoom range , but I have to disagree , strongly . At the long end of the zoom , pictures look like there's a slightly filmy sheet of glass in between my subject and me . Any bit of cropping and this becomes very pronounced . The NR on this camera is very strong and any high-contrast , straight lines were severely deformed . Almost like the mirage effect only more blocky . Wide open , the pictures just had no detail and looked just . . . bad . I'm so glad that I brought my SD1100 because I was really convinced when I started looking at my comparison shots , that the SX10 needed to be returned . The shots out of my 165 dollar point and shoot looked really sharp and pretty , while the same exact shot out of the SX10 looked completely emotionless and stale . I couldn't believe it . I double and triple checked that the nice shots were actually the SD1100 but I assure you they were . In all fairness I did get about 8 really nice shots with the SX10 , but that was out of more than 200 , and I know had I been using my S5 I would have had a much higher percentage . So now I don't know what to do . It seems kind of silly to buy a camera that I just gave away and right now I'm kind of disillusioned with Canon . I might try the Fuji S100FS . I hope this helps and if you do decide to get this camera - good luck .
    • 013 4  REALITY CHECK ! I am a camera freak , I just love the things . I own the SX10 ( and previously a stack of other digital cameras . . . starting with that SONY MAVICA with the 3.5 diskettes a LONG time ago ) , and love it . I previously owned the S5 , and it was also excellent . I bought the SX10 for the awesome LENS CAPABILITIES , and have not been disappointed whatsoever . It takes magnificent pics , has that enormous range , is COMPACT , and has that heft to it that gives it the feel of a serious camera . Now : for the REALITY CHECK : I just bumped into the Canon 40D and 50D models at a local store . You've seen them : big , hefty , big lcd ( without the cover the SX10 has . . . can already visualize the SCRATCHES from shirt buttons , etc . ) , big lenses with those ridges on them that seem to beg you to pick it up and zoom in / out . Then I remembered : I bought the 30D some time ago . Bought all the lenses , external flash , cards , batteries , case , etc . Took it home and , after the battery pack was charged , went into the picture taking drill . I was shocked ! A cheaper camera that I had took brighter / clearer pics than this EXPENSIVE get-up I just bought ! I took a stack of pics with both : same result . I brought that set back to the place where purchased and that was that . There is no doubt that the 30D was worth the price , to demanding pros , but not to me . And this is the point I am trying to make : for the AVERAGE ' JOE ' or ' Jill ' , you probably don't need all the bells ' n whistles these advanced DSLRs certainly deliver . If you are NOT a pro , NEEDING to manipulate a zillion settings manually and exchange lenses to match what you want to accomplish , this SX10 is probably gonna be PERFECT for you ! You will not have to buy an array of EXPENSIVE add-on lenses ( read the reviews for the 50D , for example , and you will see that super camera is , in the end , lense dependent . . . that is : the end results will depend on the quality of the glass you have attached . This can get to be a VERY expensive proposition for all but the very serious pros ) . If you , like me , just want GOOD PICTURES without all the fuss , then . . . in my very humble opinion . . . this SX10 is probably all you will need for the remainder of your time on the planet : - ) ( I will admit , after putzing with both the 40D and 50D , I found it hard to walk away without buying one / the other . It's almost impossible to not be overly impressed with their great appearance , obvious wealth of options , and heft value . But , remembering my experience with the 30D , and the fact I obviously was not ready for multiple lenses , and the complexities involved with high-end cameras , I walked away ) . You can read the attached excellent reviews on the SX10 to find all about batteries , external flashes , bags , etc . Wishing to add a comment / two about certainly real concerns that run through these reviews : LOSING THE LENS CAP and DROPPING THE CAMERA . For the initial concern : go to RITZ CAMERA , for instance ( AMAZON probably also sells this ) , and buy the QUANATRAY LENS CAP LEASH . It affixes to the lens cap and the camera body , problem solved for $1.99 . As far as DROPPING the thing . . . DON'T ! ! I use the CANON WRIST STRAP ( bought mine via EBAY ) and really like it . A thin over-the-neck strap came with the unit ( which I don't particularly like ) , USE IT ! But , do ensure the LCD SCREEN is COVERED when walking around with that neck strap to not scratch the lcd with shirt buttons , etc . UPDATE : 2 - 17 - 09 : I'M BACK . . . again . I could not resist the urge to get another SLR . I bought a real GOOD one , bought more lenses , flash , etc . AND , just like the one I brought back before , I BROUGHT THIS ONE BACK ! The BOTTOM LINE is : THE PICTURE . This expensive array did NOT take better pics than the CANON SX10IS ! I am sticking with this GREAT Canon FOREVER ! It does EVERYTHING . . . and in a wonderful small package . No lenses to lug around and have to change as the scene demands . . . just zoom on from 28mm to 560mm ( ! ) without missing a beat . Super camera ! Regards .
    • 014 4  I just bought this camera and took some shots . It's an excellent one . I am the owner of both S3 IS and EOS XSi , so I can easily judge the quality of the SX10 IS . For $400 , it's definitely a good buy . It's bigger than S3 IS , almost the body size of Xsi . Image quality is very good , correct color rendering ( surely , not as good as Xsi , however , but its sharpness is better than Xsi ) . The only thing I don't like is the EVF . When I move camera around , the view is not smooth , rather jumpy , make my eye uncomfortable . Again , for the price , what you get is a lot .
    • 015 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) So far I have taken around 600 pictures with the SX10 and have only one complaint . I am having trouble fine tuning the ' selecting ring'in SCN mode . I turn the dial and nothing moves and then all of a sudden it moves quickly to a selection I don't want and I have to begin again . I'm just not in control . However , the 20x zoom exceeded my expectations . I had originally wanted an Canon SLR just to use my measly 200mm zoom from my 35mm film Rebel , but this is much better for me ( 560mm w stabilization works well ) . I was also waiting for Canon to up their ISO ratings and by using the 3200 setting I was able to get some nice photos of Hula dancers and hope to do as well with indoor sport pictures . The 28mm wide angle lens is a plus I didn't know I needed until I began using the camera . I was able to properly frame many more single pictures than previously .
    • 016 4  So far I have taken around 600 pictures with the SX10 and have only one complaint . I am having trouble fine tuning the ' selecting ring'in SCN mode . I turn the dial and nothing moves and then all of a sudden it moves quickly to a selection I don't want and I have to begin again . I'm just not in control . However , the 20x zoom exceeded my expectations . I had originally wanted an Canon SLR just to use my measly 200mm zoom from my 35mm film Rebel , but this is much better for me ( 560mm w stabilization works well ) . I was also waiting for Canon to up their ISO ratings and by using the 3200 setting I was able to get some nice photos of Hula dancers and hope to do as well with indoor sport pictures . The 28mm wide angle lens is a plus I didn't know I needed until I began using the camera . I was able to properly frame many more single pictures than previously .
    • 017 4  Contrary to other reviews , you can put a 52mm UV or polarizer lightweight lens on the end of the zoom They fit , I have done this with mine . t takes great pictures and I bought it as a upgrade to the Cannon S5 IS ( that you have to use converter lenses to attain what this SX10 IS already has built into it ) . The only carry over that I can use from my Canon S5 IS , with the SX10 IS , is the Speedlite 430 flash for the external hot shoe . The manual and other reviews state that no lenses can be attached . They are wrong ! ! ! I have numerous step up and step down rings from my other cameras and lo and behold , found that the end of the SX10 IS can take a 52mm ring or in other words a 52mm polarizer or uv lens etc . can be attached to it . This is true because I now can attach them to mine . Also , I do not like the lens cap that came with it . , even though it can be attached to the strap . I had another cap from another camera that was a 52mm with a cord that was attached to it and I put this cap on my new camera instead . Just Google 52mm lens cap with a string and you can purchase one for under 4 dollars . I also use 8gb or larger SD cards and the new 2900 MIH rechargeable batteries ( nothing lower than 2900 ) that last all day . This is the camera that I will be using for a long time . It has everything built into it with no need to carry additional heavy lenses . I highly endorse it . The flip out lcd is another plus .
    • 019 4  I own two other Canon cameras , A Digital Rebel Xt DSLR with two zoom lenses and a Power Shot A720 IS . The DSLR is used for serious photography and the A720 for informal family pictures and things like fishing . As I am getting older I am finding that the DSLR outfit is getting harder to carry so I was looking for a lighter outfit when I did not want to carry it . At first I thought that getting auxiliary lenses for the A720 would do the job but found it too bulky and inconvenient . Then Canon came out with the SX 10 IS . I got the first one my local dealer got in . It is far more versatile than the A720 but only slightly larger . It covers the complete focal length range I need for almost all picture taking needs . The quality of the pictures is slightly better than the already very good A720 at most ranges . At the extreme telephoto end it loses some as expected . Of course it is not as good as the DSLR but how can one expect a camera that sells for under 400 dollars to be as good as one that was over 1000 dollars ? I was able to get close to the DSLR quality with a little help from my Photoshop Elements . The camera is light for what it does and very convenient . I like the variable angle viewing for odd angle shots as close to the ground and the electronic viewfinder for bright situations . The electronic viewfinder is best for telephoto use as you can hold the camera steadier . The image stabilizer works all the way out to the 560mm equivalent but I recommend taking several pictures just in case . I like the fact that I don't have to carry extension tubes for close ups . The camera has too many other useful features to mention here . I have used it for over a month now and feel I got more than my moneys worth .
    • 020 4  Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom The Canon SX10 IS is just what I was waiting for in a Canon point and shoot camera . Pro's are is the 10 megapixels and the long 20 X zoom . The price won't rob your wallet either . The photos I have taken are great , sharp and clear . The con's I have to mention is that it doesn't accept filters but I believe a company is working on making something fit . I've read on line actually that some folks are using a 52 mm filter but Canon says it wasn't made to be used with filters . Also the program to download photos to your computer are not as easy as my Canon S - 2 or XTi but that is not a big deal . You will be impressed with the pictures it takes .
    • 021 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I was a long time user of the Canon EOS SLR's and I loved them . I say that only because readers should know I am an experienced photographer . I make this review after using this camera for about six months . I've had plenty of time to put it through its paces in various situations . First let me say that I'm not comparing the SX10IS to an SLR but rather to my Panasonic DMC FZ20 with 12X zoom Lieca lens . The Panasonic is an excellent camera , by the way and I recommend it highly . The Canon SX10IS camera has been a big disappointment . It was purchased mainly for wildlife photography . The 20X zoom works fine , but its bad points far outweigh the one good feature this camera has . 1 . First the lens . The images are soft , not as sharp and crisp as the ones from the Panasonic . This could also be the auto focusing mechanism . Near , far , where ever the subjects are , the focus is soft . 2 . Camera design is poor . Buttons cover every available surface of the camera's body . My small hands just cannot hold the camera without pushing one of the numerous buttons that cover the camera's surface . 3 . I wish they had not attempted to cram every conceivable feature into this camera . More is not always better . The menu is a nightmare to navigate . No changing settings quickly to capture a bird in flight . Thankfully they left out the wash and spin dry feature but that is the only thing missing . 4 . The optical viewfinder , which you need to use when shooting wildlife ( especially if you are a former SLR user or if you wear glasses ) , is very poor . The view is fuzzy and the viewfinder is very small . 5 . The camera body is cheaply made . Handle it very carefully . For example the door to the memory card is hinged with cheap material that will easily break with much opening or a slip of your fingers . 6 . When holding the focus at 20X waiting for a subject to turn just the right way the camera makes a chugging sound and the image jumps . That can't be good . These are my main complaints about this camera . Some advice : Don't just order this product online . Hold one in your hands , do some trial shots . Try to use it as you would in your everyday photography before you purchase it . Look at other camera models and compare before you buy .
    • 027 4  So far tried just a few shots with this camera . The macro is very impressive , the white balance is good in all conditions I tested ( and I did try some hard ones ) , the 20X zoom is mind-blowing . In good light focusing was fast and sharp , good improvement over the S5 IS . Image processing was very fast too , thanks to the Digic4 processor . Cons . In low light , the performance is limited , just like any powershot-range camera . Because of densely packed pixels on the sensor , any ISO over 200 / 400 is unusable . This also limits your zoom at low light , you will need to keep it steady for long exposures . If you plan taking loads of shots in low light consider something else ( may be the long-promised Panasonic G1 ? ) .
    • 032 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I've been a ( more or less ) serious photographer for almost 70 years , and an earlybird with practically every technological advance in photography since then . In other words , I've seen ' em all . Digital is the great revolution - - nothing in the past comes close to that leap forward . I migrated to it 10 years ago , have owned a dozen or more cameras , and haven't looked back since . Disclaimer : I'm not a professional photographer . What photos I sell might cover my expenses plus a little ( 13 x 19 prints take lots of expensive ink ) . I don't have to produce near-perfect work day in and day out in a studio or on assignments . Those who have the talent and energy to do this work should have whatever equipment fits their needs . They earn it . I , on the other hand , am among the legions who have the luxury of picking and choosing when , where , and what to photograph . I can make as many errors as I do without damage except to my ego . I can play around with subject , setting , lighting , color , mood , and all those little things that differentiate photography from cellphone snapshots . I don't pay penalties for my goofs . I've had my Canon SX10IS for a only a few weeks , but I can conclude that its value for the money is simply incredible ! Whatever nits I can pick ( and there are a few ) are more in the realm of digging through its scores of features and trying to decide which to use ; not in the overall quality , which is simply outstanding . That said , I have to object to what appears to be an ongoing undercurrent of disdain for anything-but-SLRs that keeps coming up in product reviews . Aside from larger CCD sensors , I can't find anything significantly better in most SLRs than in the mid-range non-SLRs such as the SX - 10 . After decades of lugging several bodies and a half-dozen lenses around in multiple suitcase-sized bags , missing shots because it took so long to screw everything together , while paying many thousands of bucks for the inconvenience , I'm absolutely liberated from the SLR and hope I never have to use one again . The SX10 ' s incredible 20x wide-angle optical zoom eliminates any need I might have for multiple lenses - - I'm not a telephoto zealot . The ease of use eclipses any extra features the SLR might have . The historic SLR advantage of an image seen through the taking lens has been made obsolete by the electronic viewfinder and LCD screen that see through the lens . All that's left for the SLR is lens super-quality and interchangability , more light-gathering ability , and snob appeal . Most of us won't improve our non-professional results much , if at all , with these technical advantages . ( I can use Tiger Woods ' $10,000 golf clubs and not take a stroke off my score . But he can take my $750 set and shoot under par right out of the bag . ) There are mossbacks out there who cling to the notion that if it ain't film , it ain't photography ; and that if it ain't an SLR , it ain't a camera . Nonsense . It ain't the equipment , it's what you do with it . Oh , and by the way - - the best camera is the one you have with you . For me , it's my Canon SD - 1100 - IS that's always in my pocket ; my SX - 10 - IS is now the one that rides around with me in my car ; while my SLRs and bags of lenses languish at home in the closet . These are serious cameras for the rest of us . Bless you , Canon : - )
    • 034 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) So many things in one relatively small camera , wow ! Let's start with the lense . Very wide angle , careful to keep your foot out of the picture all the way to 20X zoom . Stood on the beach shooting an island a mile away and zoomed to people on the island beach not visible with the unaided eye without changing lenses . You are looking through the lense in this DSLR with diopter control if you wear glasses . The DIGIC 4 is the computer chip that arranges pixels from the 10meg digital CCD . Even most triple priced DSLR cameras do not have this next generation digital chip yet . They have the DIGIC III ( 3 ) . Want to change colors in the picture or black and white pictures with or without one color ? It will take some time to learn all the composing powers this SX10IS has to offer because of the DIGIC 4 chip . Needs 4 AAs instead of two like my other pocket cameras . That adds to the size and weight putting the SX10IS into a heavier catagory BUT way lighter than most DSLRs . Easy to hold with one hand . Four batteries means the right handed grip protrudes more with a nice little lip for your second finger to fit into to leaving your first finger on the picture button . Several hundred pictures down the road with many armchair reviews in the 2 1 / 2 LCD that pulls out and swivels no battery change yet . AAs are cheap and available everywhere . Won't even bother with rechargeables because one set lasts so long the rechargeables will run down waiting to be used . Two and half inch LCD and not highly detailed but adequate . Zooming in while reviewing taken pictures nice . I suspect that DIGIC 4 is helping too . SX10IS is not a pocket camera in size or weight . Last trip to Mexico took the 590IS which is pocket size along with this one but never used it . 20X and wide angle and other features were so nice to have . Generally I do not try to carry a camera ALL the time . Like to carry with one hand and wrist strap . Never around my neck . Smallest quality bag that fits is the LowePro Apex 100AW roughly 3 1 / 2 x 4 1 / 2 by 6 . That is pretty darn small . Plenty of room for batteries . Too small for instruction book . Tossed the neck strap and cut the water proof bag off to gain storage . I carry bag with built in handle . Usually just carry the camera without the bag . Think I bought this from Amazon . Might also fit in shoulder bag where you carry other things . Settings for special picture conditions like night , or action , or many many others extensive . Auto seems to come pretty close to compensating for most pictures . And you have all the manual choices too . If you shoot a lot of pictures in specific lighting conditions you can set ISO , shutter speed , etc then record that group of settings along with multiple others as custom choices easily selected again later . DIGIC 4 again ? Easy camera for no-brainer shots . If you are a technocrat that likes many composing elements here is a camera that offers choices you never imagined . Movies with sound and zoom , yes ! Panorama 180 or 360 degrees . . . . . . . . . . . or just pick it up and shoot . I would suggest this camera is an excellent choice that fits above point and shoot and below much bigger much more expensive , change the lense , type cameras . Moms that just want a simple , small , light camera , might find SX10IS more than they wanted . . . . . . . . . . . unless you want a close-up at the other end of the soccer field when your little hero kicks a field goal . It is just not an easy walk around , carry it all the time , type of camera . It is a super-power camera of picture choices that will look spectacular in you large digital picture frames . P.S . Just noticed Consumer Report gave this camera a 78 rating . Among all the other digital camera categories only one had a 78 , Nikon D300 which is in the advanced section and costs $1600 before you buy lenses . No other camera of any type rated as high . Type of personal usage still determines which is best . Multiple photographing choices make up for being a little larger than a point and shoot for me .
    • 038 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I bought this camera and took it to Disney World where I had a chance to try out all the features in all kinds of conditions . This is one step down from the DSLR cameras where I don't have to change lenses and it takes great pictures . Overall I am impressed with it and I feel it was worth every dollar I spent on it . However , this is a must : READ THE MANUAL AND LEARN THE FEATURES IF YOU WANT TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS CAMERA ! Here are some pros & cons : Pros : 1 . Clear pictures at full zoom as well as super macro mode even when the camera lens is so close it touches the object . 2 . Many features to adjust for different light conditions ( learn the features and make adjustments ) 3 . Takes good pictures in low light or almost no light conditions even without the flash ( again , learn the features & make adjustments for it ) but at very low light conditions I recommend putting the camera on a tripod or have very steady hands . 4 . Records clear movies with stereo sound & zoom . . mov format can be played with QuickTime Player on Windows XP with no problems . 5 . Flash power can be adjusted to how far you want it to reach so the background doesn't get washed out . 6 . Swivel LCD for multi angle viewing . 7 . The colors come out beautiful . 8 . Wide angle lens . You can fit more in your pictures . 9 . Batteries last a long time . I use rechargable Eneloop AA batteries . Cons : 1 . It's a heavy camera with the 4 batteries in it , even when it's hanging around my neck . 2 . It's a rather bulky camera for a woman . Women have smaller hands and sometimes it's hard to get a good grip on it . 3 . The lens cap . There is no string attachment for it ! It has a piece of plastic on the back of the cap to attach it to the camera strap but it doesn't work . It doesn't clip on strong enough so the cap falls off anyway . 4 . The Fireworks feature is useless especially when there is another lit object around the fireworks ( expl : Magic Kingdom castle with fireworks around it ) . The camera asks me to make adjustments ( which it shouldn't since it's a set feature ) , but no matter how I tried to adjust it , it didn't work . Instead , I used the Sports feature and that worked just fine . All other features work well . So overall I give it 5 stars for the money spent but I can't stress enough that this camera will only do the tricks if the adjustments are made for it . It also takes great point-and-shoot pictures but if that's what you are planning on using it for most of the time , I recommend buying a less expensive camera . This is my 4th Canon camera and I find them to be excellent and very durable .
    • 039 4  I bought this camera and took it to Disney World where I had a chance to try out all the features in all kinds of conditions . This is one step down from the DSLR cameras where I don't have to change lenses and it takes great pictures . Overall I am impressed with it and I feel it was worth every dollar I spent on it . However , this is a must : READ THE MANUAL AND LEARN THE FEATURES IF YOU WANT TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS CAMERA ! Here are some pros & cons : Pros : 1 . Clear pictures at full zoom as well as super macro mode even when the camera lens is so close it touches the object . 2 . Many features to adjust for different light conditions ( learn the features and make adjustments ) 3 . Takes good pictures in low light or almost no light conditions even without the flash ( again , learn the features & make adjustments for it ) but at very low light conditions I recommend putting the camera on a tripod or have very steady hands . 4 . Records clear movies with stereo sound & zoom . . mov format can be played with QuickTime Player on Windows XP with no problems . 5 . Flash power can be adjusted to how far you want it to reach so the background doesn't get washed out . 6 . Swivel LCD for multi angle viewing . 7 . The colors come out beautiful . 8 . Wide angle lens . You can fit more in your pictures . 9 . Batteries last a long time . I use rechargable Eneloop AA batteries . Cons : 1 . It's a heavy camera with the 4 batteries in it , even when it's hanging around my neck . 2 . It's a rather bulky camera for a woman . Women have smaller hands and sometimes it's hard to get a good grip on it . 3 . The lens cap . There is no string attachment for it ! It has a piece of plastic on the back of the cap to attach it to the camera strap but it doesn't work . It doesn't clip on strong enough so the cap falls off anyway . 4 . The Fireworks feature is useless especially when there is another lit object around the fireworks ( expl : Magic Kingdom castle with fireworks around it ) . The camera asks me to make adjustments ( which it shouldn't since it's a set feature ) , but no matter how I tried to adjust it , it didn't work . Instead , I used the Sports feature and that worked just fine . All other features work well . So overall I give it 5 stars for the money spent but I can't stress enough that this camera will only do the tricks if the adjustments are made for it . It also takes great point-and-shoot pictures but if that's what you are planning on using it for most of the time , I recommend buying a less expensive camera . This is my 4th Canon camera and I find them to be excellent and very durable .
    • 040 4  I'm beyond point and shoot , but didn't want to go back to lugging a huge gadget bag with SLR and lenses . The SX10IS fills the gap - - very nicely . I don't think I'll ever need another camera .
    • 043 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) The Canon SX10 is an outstanding camera sold at a fair price . The highly literate nature of some of the reviews gives a good clue as to who is buying it . I am depriving it of one star because of one inept design decision - albeit one that the user easily can remedy . As designed , the camera cannot take filters which would be a serious defect in a camera of this class . My guess is that some marketing person did not want the SX10 to compete with Canon's more expensive SLR's , a marketing strategy that has been tried , unsuccessfully , by other companies in the past . The fix is easy . The SX10 comes with a sunshade that attaches to a fixture built onto the barrel . Lensmate sells a well-made ring which uses that fixture and which holds 58mm screw-in filters . Of course , while it is attached one cannot use the sunshade , but for about $7 one can buy a screw-in sunshade that works just as well and that can be used in conjunction with the filters .
    • 047 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I haven't had this much fun with a camera since my ancient Canon A1 . I really like the ability to switch between aperture ( Av ) and shutter speed ( Tv ) priority . And I find it's much easier to use the viewfinder than the LCD screen ( so it was important to me for my digital camera to have a viewfinder ) . And until I looked at the differences ( in the manual's appendix ) between Auto and Programmed modes , I wondered why have both . . . now I'm glad I looked . One of the first things I did was to turn off most of the camera's helpful settings . I am a big fan of fixing things like contrast or red eye AFTER downloading the photos to my computer . . . not having the camera pretending to know what I want better than I do . And I usually only want to target a portion of the image . . . not the entire image that these helpful settings attempt to fix . Others have complained that the lens cap is easy to lose . . . but I got so used to putting my Canon A1 ' s lens cap in my pocket as soon as I took it off ( it didn't have a lens strap either ) that I just kept following that practice with my new SX10IS . One of the things I like the most is the fact that it uses standard AA batteries . My previous digital camera ( a Nikon - because the lens is what matters when taking a photo ) used a proprietary battery that was difficult to find at times ( even the store where I usually bought the battery was occasionally out of stock ) . The popup flash allows me to place a loose fabric over the flash to reduce the flash brightness ( something next to impossible on the Nikon with its flash built into the housing ) . I haven't yet upgraded to the Canon Speedlight flash . . . but it's nice to know that I have that option . For me , the biggest drawback is that the shutter release button is placed a bit too far forward for my tastes . . . but that's a small problem . Not everyone has the same requirements for a digital camera as I do . . . but I'd say this is one of the best ( unless you opt for the hugely expensive DSLRs ) . Read all of the reviews and see if what people say matches your requirements . . . but I can say that I'd recommend this camera for anyone who is even a little serious about their photography . You can do a lot with this camera before you run into an option you wish the camera had .
    • 050 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I'm a bird watching freak and wanted a camera that would allow me to get closer to my subjects and capture fast motion ( birds in flight ) . This camera does not disappoint ! With the 20x optical zoom , I can get as close as I need to without sacrificing picture quality . I received it yesterday morning and went out the birdfeeder to practice with it . In 30 minutes , I managed 10 of the best bird photos I've ever taken . I also went over to Lowe's garden center and photographed new spring flowers and am very happy with the colors . A butterfly made an appearance and became an unknowing subject thanks to the 20x zoom . The pictures are just gorgeous ! I really love this camera .
    • 052 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) a good cam , don't listen to the low light stuff , just learn how to use M mode . It's a tool , and ya gotta learn how to use it , read the manual and take lots of test shots . Its big , but that makes it stable , and the view finder lets you use your head as a tripod . Vibrant color setting makes a difference , and IS set to shot makes a difference . Use the highest image quality setting , spend the [ . . . ] bucks and get a 8 meg card . Shoot with the lowest ISO you can get away with . I think my pics rival my brother's D50 dslr in quality . The 20x zoom lets you play around and get some cool background / foreground in / out of focus shots . The stereo video is cool too . The wheel thing is fine once you get used to it , would have been better if it was like the sx110 , which is also a good cam .
    • 053 4  a good cam , don't listen to the low light stuff , just learn how to use M mode . It's a tool , and ya gotta learn how to use it , read the manual and take lots of test shots . Its big , but that makes it stable , and the view finder lets you use your head as a tripod . Vibrant color setting makes a difference , and IS set to shot makes a difference . Use the highest image quality setting , spend the [ . . . ] bucks and get a 8 meg card . Shoot with the lowest ISO you can get away with . I think my pics rival my brother's D50 dslr in quality . The 20x zoom lets you play around and get some cool background / foreground in / out of focus shots . The stereo video is cool too . The wheel thing is fine once you get used to it , would have been better if it was like the sx110 , which is also a good cam .
    • 054 4  I couldn't make up my mind what type of camera I wanted to purchase ; an SLR or a point and shoot . I knew what features I wanted , but up until recently I couldn't find a camera fitting all my needs . I decided that for my purposes of taking travel pictures I wanted something easy to use , but an upgrade to my present camera , a Canon PowerShot A610 . I really liked the shape of the camera , which is easy to hold with one hand . Then one of the best features was vari-angle LCD . After searching different cameras I was thrilled when I found the SX10IS which had most if not all the features I had been looking for . I wanted at least 18x optical zoom and this has 20x ; I definitely wanted the vari-angle LCD for taking pictures either higher or lower than a comfortable viewing level . ( It sure saves on backs when wanting to take a close up of a flower and you can turn the viewer up and hold the camera down at arms length to get a great picture ) . It also has the easy grip like my older camera , however I find there are more buttons that I sometimes push inadvertantly , and get out of the mode that I want to be in . As I get more used to the camera I don't mess up as often . The pictures come out crystal clear and I can zoom in when viewing on my computer and still get great pixel clarity . The finished photos I have had processed have come out close to studio quality . Recently I took portraits of guests at our Christmas party and had rave reviews of the finished product with many ordering additional prints to send to family and friends . Also , I was extremely pleased when taking photos at the Tournament of Roses parade last week . Most electonic gadgets have more features on them then one will ever use , and this camera is no exception . Slowly , I am trying to learn more to take advantage of more features . On the other hand , if you want ease of use then with this camera you can be out taking pictures as soon as you put in your batteries and memory card . Speaking of memory cards , you will want to buy a high speed card to take advantage of the continuous shoot feature . This is great when taking pictures of moving objects . Another feature I haven't mentioned is the great video ( with sound ) that you can take with this camera . Having a high capacity memory SD card helps . I always carry extra cards , but with my new 8 GB card I won't be using the extra cards very often . Face recognition is another feature I haven't used before . It is an interesting feature and new tool when taking group shots . I could go on and on , there are so many good things I could say about this camera . I really don't have any negatives other than accidentally pushing buttons when I don't want to . As I had read in another review , the controls are touchy and you have to be aware of where your fat fingers land . I'm a senior citizen who loves to take pictures and have thousands of photos on my computer . I enjoy viewing slide shows of all the pictures of our travels throughout the USA and also abroad . If you want to take a step up from the compact point and shoot then I would highly recommend the Canon PowerShot SX10IS . It has features you will appreciate for taking photos both indoors and out .
    • 055 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) My dad has resisted updating his digital camera for several years . I finally convinced him this year and this was the camera I chose for his Christmas gift . It is simply outstanding . The camera is full featured and offers all of the controls that the DSLR's have when it comes to aperture and shutter speed settings and manual controls . But the real test is how it shoots in full auto , because that is when the camera has to make critical decisions . This camera succeeds wildly . We were at a Christmas party and I had my Canon 30D DSLR in full manual mode with a 550EXII flash mounted and my dad had his new Canon Powershot SX10IS . When we got home we compared pictures and he fared very well against my shots . The flash is surprisingly strong , but doesn't wash out close shots . It can light up a big room from far away . The focus is good and fast . The colors are OUTSTANDING and the 20x zoom and 28mm wide angle are features that offer the best of both worlds when it comes to handling a variety of situations . On top of that , the Image Stabilization works very well and makes the 20x zoom usable . Plus , my dad has now retired his old video camera as well since you can get image stabilized , 20x zoomable , 640x480 stereo video at the press of a button . This camera is really the best featured and easy to use camera out there and at a price that is unbeatable . Add an inexpensive 8Gb memory card and a set of four rechargable AA batteries and you are in at under $400 for everything you need . I highly recommend this camera as the best ALL-AROUND camera you can buy right now when you consider price , features , size and image quality .
    • 058 4  Update ( 08 / 12 / 2009 ) - This camera is still working ! I have had an issue with transitioning between an point and shoot to this ( portability ) . I just can't bring it everywhere as it is not pocket friendly . However , with that said , 9 months later , this camera is still taking phenomenal pictures ! ! ! . . I could not recommend any better camera for those who like the convienence of a point and shoot . . while having the power , quality , and option of an SLR I purchased this product to upgrade from a simple Point and Shoot . I read about the comparisons between this and another camera in the same range ; however , if you are adjusting from a beginner point and shoot to not exactly a DSLR , this IS the camera for you . I ordered this for Thanksgiving , and read a quick lesson in the book about how to get some of the features running . Not a single shot has disappointed me . Granted , I am not a professional camera person , nor do I intend on going into details about pixels . All I wanted to know is : Does it produce good images ? Answer : For Sure ! Does it produce good PRINTED images ? Answer : I printed 8x10 , 5x7 , and 4x6 and all of them come out excellent . I have an niece that is only 18 months ( just walking ) and this camera took phenomenal pictures of her . I have had this camera a little over 2 weeks and it has yet to disappoint me . It is great to find a good camera and that has the LCD screen that rotates ! It comes Highly recommended
    • 059 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I have had the Canon s10 for less than 24 hours , so these are my first impressions . I will update later . Assuming you have read other reviews , let me add some different information . Specific points . 1 . Comments about the lens cap are absolutely true ; it is awkward and does not fit easily . You wind up dropping it frequently and sticking your fingers on the lens . This is not good . 2 . After inserting the 4 AA batteries , it is very hard getting the cover correctly shut . I am guessing that it will break easily , if that task is not done very carefully . 3 . The feel of the camera is great ; it fits my older arthritic bulky hands very well . 4 . I didn't know until I read part of the instruction manual , that the camera has a control that allows you to vary the loudness of separate functions of the camera ; shutter , turning on , menu opening , etc . . . PLUS , there is a button on the top left of the camera that enables you to MUTE ALL sounds of the camera if you press it as you are turning the camera on . I think this sound adjustment feature is very handy , although my poor ears have difficulty hearing anything . . . 5 . The pictures I have taken have been very good and sharp for me . I was coming from an older Panasonic point and shoot . 6 . I am really , really having to read the manual to learn all the different capabilities . If you get this camera , plan on spending some real time with the manual . For example , it is not intuitively obvious how one changes the size of the desired image from 10 to 1 megapixel . It took real manual reading to figure that out . 7 . Despite my nit-picks , I am loving this camera . It is absolutely doing what I wanted . Namely giving me some really good manual and varied functions in a premium point and shoot without the expense of a DSLR . My plan , if I continue to use this and enjoy photography , then I will upgrade to a DSLR , but right now , I have lots to learn , and enjoy with the Canon S10 . Nick UPDATE : 16 Dec 2008 Still love the camera , but still learning . You MUST read the User Manual , and study it , in combination with playing with the camera . Good way to spend a couple of hours at Star $ $ s . The manual tells you specifically how to make certain changes in settings ; however , it does NOT tell you when or why to make the changes . You need to study it and THINK . If you want a camera just to take simple , quick snapshots , this camera will do it , but that would be wasting this cameras terrific abilities . Spend a lot less and get a regular Canon or Sony P & S . If you want a camera to learn how to do manual settings , like aperture and shutter priority settings , and others , WITHOUT spending the big $ $ $ s needed to buy a DSLR , then this is the perfect camera for that . Specific points : 1 . The built in flash is not very strong at all . I will need to get a Canon external flash , probably the 430ex model , to make it as strong as I would like . 2 . Figuring out how to change the image size , from 10 M to 8 or even down to less than 1 M for a 640x480 pixel photo is NOT intuitively obvious . You have to read the manual and learn that it is necessary to push the Function button while the camera is in take photo mode and then look down the list of items and choose from : 10M , 8M , etc . . . 3 . The lens for this camera isn't the world's greatest . When it is dark it will only open up to 4.0 and that just isn't fast enough ; then with a low power flash , your low light shooting is compromised yielding noisy / unsharp images . 4 . I haven't found a camera bag that suits my taste for this camera yet ; still looking . I want something that will carry the camera , an external flash , a spare set of batteries , and little nit-bits . I am sure they exist , just haven't found the right one . But then , searching for photography stuff is always fun . . . I AM loving the camera , but would still leave the rating at four stars .
    • 067 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I've only had this camera a short time , haven't even had time to play with it beyond the basic functions , but already am thrilled with it . Still shots of birds on the far side of the back yard are amazingly clear and focused . The most amazing is the close-ups , both still and video . After taking many pictures of a flower spider , and cropping and enlarging some , I saw incredible details that I hadn't noticed , even with my face 6 inches away from the real thing ! The translucence of the skeleton , copper-colored markings , hairs on the legs . . . If a camera can get me this excited about a spider , it's got to be good !
    • 070 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) Nice colors . Great zoom . Quiet & smooth zoom operation . Decent view finder with diopter . Lots of functions . Decent low light performance . Improved video performance . Pictures are sharp and clear up to 400 iso . After that , typical noise visible . Stereo sound . Uses 4 AA batteries instead of 2 thank goodness . Too many buttons in places where accidentally pushed too often & too easy . Easy to block the auto focus beam with your finger . Autofocus has been inconsistant . Especially indoors , or in lower lighting situations . I've had blurry pictures where I didn't have before or shouldn't have . I'm no pro but , I do take a lot of pictures . Some were published by the College where I work . I like the camera but , I find the inconsistant autofocus cause for concern . My powershot A710is is more consistant in autofocus . Also experiencing inconsistancies loading pictures onto the computer using Canon software & attaching the camera / computer via the cable supplied . Sometimes pictures load ok , other times , the process stalls . I found that using a card reader works better for me . I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the software , but no change . All in all it's a nice camera . For me , focus lock & patience is a must . It just doesn't focus quickly / easily everytime indoors or in lower light situations . ( like i'm used to ) UPDATE 11 / 09 Had to return this camera to Canon for repairs . I started getting lens error restart camera message . Canon fixed it and returned it to me promptly as it was under warranty . So far , I am unimpressed . This camera gets glowing reviews everywhere I look . Guess I just got unlucky . I won't buy another super zoom . I'll go DSLR first . If i'm going to invest , then I just will invest more in the better camera . It's really a shame because when the camera is right , it's awesome . I'm hoping that since Canon got it back on the repair bench , that just maybe they found some problems created at the factory , and now have this camera on the right road . I really like the features . What I also discovered was that the mov files are not compatible with windows vista . I had to buy a third party software to convert the mov files to either avi , mpeg or wmv should I want to make movies . Here's hoping . . . . . UPDATE 12 / 7 / 2009 Just got back from Walt Disney world . I put this camera through a lot of use with stills & video . As long as light is plentiful , the stills & videos are very clear . The autofocus was very good . It's under poor lighting where the autofocus really stumbled often . I get better results with my A710is in poor lighting . It's just hasn't been a good night camera for me . I tried the 1600 iso , but the noise was just awful . Forget 3200 . I don't know why Canon even bothered putting it there . In my stills , I used the vivid color setting outdoors . I loved it . The colors were vibrant as I like personally . I shot outdoor video in vivid also . Those too looked better for me . The colors were richer . I still hold my opinion of this camera as 3 stars . For the money I paid for this , I expect better performance from the autofocus . I understand that this is a glorified point & shoot with a boat load of features , and those features are useful . I'm under the impression that the objective of a point and shoot is simplicity , not constantly fussing with manual settings with almost evey picture taken under lower lighting situations . Any camera can take decent day pictures ( providing the user sets the camera to its best settings ) . The autofocus system on a camera of this price should hold up under tougher lighting conditions better than this . Just my opinion . I still like this camera because of the huge zoom but , I think a huge zoom on a point and shoot is a mistake now . I think ( suspect ) the huge zoom is the entire cause of all the autofocus issues I have with this camera . Too much glass for the image to pass through . The lens is a good lens for point and shoot but , it's not an SLR lens . . . . . . . . If most of your picture taking and or video shooting is done under decent lighting , then this is a great camera for people . Their pictures and videos will please them greatly . The pictures are clear and sharp . The videos are also quite good . The camera with the MOV format zooms cleany while shooting video . You can brighten the video if need be while shooting . Just expect issues under so-so lighting . My next camera will be a dslr .
    • 080 4  This is my first ultrazoom camera . I have used in Macy's thanksgiving parade . Pros : - > Image Quality is good even in max zoom , Low light - > Image Stabilization works fine taking pic in max optical zoom - > Auto focus work fine . - > If you have understanding of Shutter speed and Appeture , it gives nice manual Control , if you dont know - Auto mode will take care of everything . - > I like flipping LCD , which helps me to take picture with raising my hands it helped me take pics in too crowded area where i was not able to see parade , taking my pic with flipping LCD at 180 degree . - > Video Quality is realy nice , and I was surprised by very clear Sound Quality which it capture with two microphones infront of camera . Cons : Little bit bulky.But you have to pay prise for getting alle this above nice features . Conclusion : Superb Camera with all Nice features . . !
    • 081 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics )
    • 082 4  This is the best camera on earth . I bought this camera to create beautiful memories of my daughter growing up . I'm mainly leaving this review for people with kids who are wondering if this camera can keep up with taking quick fast shots , without missing out on precious moments . Fast Camera ! ! ! This camera has NEVER missed a shot and she's a very quick and fast little two year old . I've captured every single quick smile , precious pose , and all of her active moments . I do this using the sports mode . In this mode , the camera actually takes the picture the very same instant you press down on the button ( no delay whatsoever ) . In this mode , when she's running , there is no blurryness . Great Indoor Camera ! ! ! This camera also takes GREAT indoor pics as well . It is a bit heavier than the little camera's out there . . . . but if you want to sacrifice qaulity and performance . . . go for a little one . Outstanding Detail and Zoom qaulity I wanted something that was powerful , and something that my husband can take to football games , basketball and other sporting events . That's actually how I sold him on the idea of purchasing this camera . The zoom capability is out of this world . For example , we went to the park the other day and I was able to get pictures of the ducks from the OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE . . . . and in very clear detail . Now that's powerful . Easy to use ! ! ! The minute this camera arrived , I took it out of the box and started using it . I didn't even read the instructions . . . that's how easy it is to use . I'm more of a beginner type when it comes to camera's . I popped the batteries in , and went crazy taking pics . The video mode has a dedicated button so you can video events very quickly without fussing with dials . No Regrets ! ! ! I hope I've helped someone out on making their purchase decision . I get compliments all of the time on how fast the camera is and how wonderful the pics look . I love this CAMERA ! ! ! I can tell you that you won't regret this purchase .
    • 083 4  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 .
    • 086 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) What can you say about this camera other than spectacular value probably the best buy out there on the market today.I am convinced that you won't find a camera out there with this impressive feature set with canon quality and world class imaging technology in such a compact package for this very reasonable price.When it comes to advanced point and shoot cameras the powershot line is the benchmark by which all others are measured.In fact it is a misnomer to classify this camera as just a point and shoot it is capable of producing excellent images with an astounding 20x zoom range and a feature set that is incredible period.However with that said entry level DSLR's are closing the gap with aggressive pricing stratagies squarely aimed at this segment of the market.This might be something to consider if you have contemplated making the jump DSLR's still produce the best quality images because of the sensor size and type ( CMOS ) very low noise levels even at high iso sensitivities.If your not ready to convert this camera would be the perfect bridge , solidly constructed with built in image stabilization for shooting long zoom shots and an array of settings that cover most any situation you will encounter.I highly endorse this product I think you will be delighted with it's performance and amazed at it's versatility .
    • 090 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I've been using the PowerShot A710IS for more than a year now and come to love this package for the workhorse service it has unfailingly provided . When I read about the SX10IS , I jumped at the chance to upgrade at an incredibly affordable price . I didn't look around too much - - I'm brand faithful and would go Canon anytime . There are so many detailed reviews here that I would never hope to match them . As an avid amateur though , and after using the camera for about three weeks , I have only praise for it . I've shot hundreds of pictures , indoors and outdoors . I experimented with shooting video . The results were always more than five-star in my book . The camera feels positive and points naturally . Yes , it is on the heavier side , but the strap does a good job of helping you carry it with no problems . Minor complaints are the absence of thread to allow using filters and the annoying little plasticky cover of the USB hookup . However , the filter problem should be solved soon : check out this site [ . . . ] And don't underestimate the GREAT practicality of the SX10IS running on 4 AA batteries - - no proprietary rechargeable , AC adapters , and all such to lug around . Just buy batteries at the drugstore or , better , get a couple of sets of AA rechargeables with your own little charger and you're on , no sweat and tears . This is a super package at an unbeatable price . And it carries Canon quality . Statistically , you can't go wrong .
    • 093 4  I have the Canon S2 IS which has served me very well since it was released . Over 10,000 images and it has been a pleasure . I bought the SX10 a few weeks ago . It is a keeper for me . The 28mm equiv wide angle is great , and the 20x optical zoom has been enjoyed many times . The EVF is very bright and large . A lot of good features which I will not repeat . Rich
    • 094 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I want a camera that takes excellent pictures but really don't want to learn all of the intricacies of photography . This is the camera for me . The set up was relatively easy following the simple directions , and the camera setting is for Auto and probably will never be changed . I have been practicing before our vacation with all different kinds of pictures and they have come out awesome ! I love this camera and will be enjoying it for many years to come !
    • 097 4  I've been using this camera for about 6 months now . I wanted to replace my old Minolta F200 for better quality images . Honestly , it was not better if not worse . I was actually surprised that my old F200 was as good as this camera concerning image quality . First , there was so much noise in the image . As a natural result , many of my pictures were not clear and I had to painfully discard them . I don't like grain in the picture and it was the main reason for replacing the old F200 , but obviously SX10IS didn't satisfy me . Second , on ISO 80 in aperture priority mode ( no zoom ) , I changed aperture from f / 2.8 to f / 8 and got blurrier image ( surely I used tripod ) , which is counter-intuitive to me , because with f / 8 and with its tiny sensor , theoretically , I had to get virtually infinite depth and sharper image . What's wrong ? ? Am I missing something ? ? This problem made me feel that this camera might have some fundamental flaws in its optic design . Third , focus is very bad . It is very difficult to auto-focus on anything including side view of face in medium or low light . Focus during movie taking is more terrible . It goes back and forth between in-focus and out-focus . Very bad . Of course there are many good points ( that's why I decided not to return it ) . I really like the full manual mode because finally I can apply many basic photography concepts . I also like the external flash mount , which most point-and-shoot cameras don't have . It is a big positive point for those who want to learn lighting . Finally , 20x zoom is a very good addition , because I don't have to purchase expensive and heavy lenses ( the biggest reason I stay away from DSLR cameras ) and I actually got some good out-of-focus images . Overall , if you want much better image quality in a similar body size ( at around $700 , without 20x zoom , and potentially additional lens purchases ) , check out Panasonic G1 ( micro 4 / 3 ) . But if you don't really mind the picture quality so much ( in fact , with a tiny little sensor , it is physically very difficult to get sharp images ) , this is a very good camera . Almost everything you can find in DSLR is in this camera without heavy weight and lenses . So , for those who are not very serious in photography but want many functions in an inexpensive body ( like me ) , I recommend this camera .
    • 098 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I have bought pocket size as well as 35 - mm based digital cameras through the years . After a friend bought the Canon Powershot SX1 and was raving , as well as showing some fantastic prints she had created , I did my own research and determined the few features that were different between the SX1 and the SX10 were minute and not anything I would need for almost $200.00 difference in price . Also some of the reviews had the SX10 having less noise or graininess in the zoom shots . So , after much debate , I bought the SX10 . I am so pleased with my decision . So far , I have only just played around with it , but I have taken shots in low-light , bright light and distance and each one has all the quality I could ask for . After going on vacation in July , and forgetting my Sony's battery charger ( and spending quite a bit of time locating a replacement charger - finally found at a Radio Shack ) , it is nice having a camera that takes AA batteries . Available everywhere ! I have only just begun to examine all the features , but the real test is coming - - in December we're going to DisneyWorld ! Unless you have some extreme need for the high quality video feature ( I buy cameras for photos , not video ) this is the best buy .
    • 101 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) This camera is providing terrific pictures . It's easy and intuitive . The automatic setting is very smart . The camera is light . The zoom does amazing closeups and distance without the greater weight and lens-swapping of the big boys . I've been told it's in demand by pros as an alternate camera because the price-to-feature ratio is so good . Cons : 1 ) After 5 months , a tiny plastic piece broke off inside the battery door and it won't stay closed ( must send camera to Canon ) , 2 ) No lens cap tether , 3 ) Can't seem to find a polarizing filter for it , possibly because this is not an SLR camera with live viewfinder ? , and 5 ) Does not shoot in RAW format . I would still rate this camera best in its class , absolutely . The next step would be a much more expensive DSLR .
    • 111 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I just got back from a weeklong vacation , with over 1000 photos on this camera ( having just gotten the camera a few days before the vacation ) . I would not say that any of the bad photos were because of the camera . Quite the opposite , I think it rescued some that would not have been very good on my older camera . The clarity and color on the photos is very , very good . In all kinds of lighting , from bright sunlight to normally lit rooms . Indoors I used the full manual mode a lot , with ISO 800 and 1600 . I haven't tried printing anything , but on a 1920x1600 screen things look great . I also took about 12 minutes of video of my son's middle school orchestra , needing to shoot at ISO 1600 . The sound quality was more than adequate from the rear of the auditorium . Definitely good enough to show the relatives . Overall , the camera has a lot of strong points - LCD is bright and the swivel helps get a lot of shots that would be impossible otherwise . Previewing manual mode shots is very good . The zoom is very quiet , and with all the sound muted ( I'm not into having my camera make cute little noises ) the camera is silent . Manual mode is easy to control with the scroll wheel . Super macro mode is great for flowers , etc . Cons - the lens cap has no tether . The lens hood will obscure the corners of wide angle shots . It's going to put a strain on my storage space , going from 1MB photos to 4MB photos ( not really a con , but worth realizing ) . I'm not fully comfortable with the manual focus mode yet . I had dithered a lot about whether to get this camera or a low-end DSLR . In the end , the lower price and the convenience of not having to mess with changing lenses won out . After seeing the first photos , I'm happy I went with this camera .
    • 112 4  I just got back from a weeklong vacation , with over 1000 photos on this camera ( having just gotten the camera a few days before the vacation ) . I would not say that any of the bad photos were because of the camera . Quite the opposite , I think it rescued some that would not have been very good on my older camera . The clarity and color on the photos is very , very good . In all kinds of lighting , from bright sunlight to normally lit rooms . Indoors I used the full manual mode a lot , with ISO 800 and 1600 . I haven't tried printing anything , but on a 1920x1600 screen things look great . I also took about 12 minutes of video of my son's middle school orchestra , needing to shoot at ISO 1600 . The sound quality was more than adequate from the rear of the auditorium . Definitely good enough to show the relatives . Overall , the camera has a lot of strong points - LCD is bright and the swivel helps get a lot of shots that would be impossible otherwise . Previewing manual mode shots is very good . The zoom is very quiet , and with all the sound muted ( I'm not into having my camera make cute little noises ) the camera is silent . Manual mode is easy to control with the scroll wheel . Super macro mode is great for flowers , etc . Cons - the lens cap has no tether . The lens hood will obscure the corners of wide angle shots . It's going to put a strain on my storage space , going from 1MB photos to 4MB photos ( not really a con , but worth realizing ) . I'm not fully comfortable with the manual focus mode yet . I had dithered a lot about whether to get this camera or a low-end DSLR . In the end , the lower price and the convenience of not having to mess with changing lenses won out . After seeing the first photos , I'm happy I went with this camera .
    • 113 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I typically shoot a Nikon D50 SLR , but for my recent trip to Hawaii I bought this camera so I wouldn't have to lug around any lenses . No camera bags or the like at Pearl Harbor so it's a pain to lug around extra lenses for the SLR but you want to have a nice long lens at the same time since Pearl Harbor really is an all-day visit . This camera solves the problem and then some . This allows for manual settings , as well as aperature and shutter priority that are typically only on SLR's . I was a bit skeptical if I would really like this camera since I'm used to SLR's - I love it ! Simply stated , my shots were fantastic ! I couldn't have done any better with my SLR ( and this maybe did a better job than that - yikes ) . The resolution is astounding - I got such tight shots at the Pro Bowl with it too and I was no more than 10 rows from the top of Aloha Stadium . People can't believe I actually got the shots I did with this camera - I almost can't even believe it ! My 52mm UV filter from my Nikon fit this nicely , but my 52mm circular polarizer ( made by the same company as the UV filter ) did not . It didn't matter - I got such beautiful shades of blue in the sky and water without it , though sometimes it is nice to have the creative control that the filter offers . At the Pacific Aviation Museum I was able to shoot crisp , clear photos indoors without using the flash or a tripod when I put it on the Tungsten setting - outstanding results that exactly captured the Museum's lighting . I still prefer my SLR for more formal portraits and macro work , but for nearly every other type of photo the SX10 IS will likely be the one I reach for first . I'm recommending it to everyone I know who's looking for a camera that's more advanced than a typical point and shoot , but who doesn't want to get into the SLR realm . An enthusiastic 5 stars and kudos to Canon ! Well done ! My suggestions for making the most out of this camera : - The rechargeable batteries promoted by the bunny with his drum work very well with this and last a good long time , even with moderate to heavy use . I have the 15 minute recharger that has a car adapter too , which is handy for people like me who travel a lot . Consider a second set of rechargeables to have ready at any time or at the very least keep 4 AA batteries on hand as a back up . Overall , don't go on the budget plan for your rechargeable batteries for this great camera - you'll get what you pay for . - If you want to keep your charger with your camera then don't buy a bag online - they probably won't have the capacity to hold both the camera and the charger unit . Go to a local retailer and pick one up there . - Get a 52mm UV filter , blower brush , lens cloth and cap keeper while you're at it . They should total no more than $25 and are well worth the small investment . - Consider picking up the laminated cheat sheet that an Amazon retailer offers . I found it by typing the camera's name under the books menu . It's about $15 with the shipping , but less cumbersome than the manual . If nothing else it helps you locate where in the manual to look for some of the more advanced settings .
    • 116 4  Very Nice Camera ! Great Zoom ! I have had an S3 , S5 , and now the SX10 . All three cameras were great . The S3 had better movie clips than the S5 . The SX10 has better video than the S3 and S5 . You are limited on video according to the size of your memory chip . I have had this camera for two months and have not had any problems . Great Camera . .
    • 121 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I researched for a camera for a while and ended up buying this sx10 is and have no regrets . Takes very good pictures and is fairly easy to use . I took a picture from my couch with the zoom pointing through my front door and storm door at a bird sitting on a tree branch and it looked like I was outside standing next to it . The only down fall is the owners manual , it doesnt explain things very well .
    • 123 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) It is awesome ! ! ! All I can say is zoom zoom baby . You can get any picture anywhere no matter how far . It is amazing . The zoom works really well and with the stability thing I think the pictures come out great for its class . This is no DSLR don't think it is . But for its class this is worth it . You also can get amazing close up group shots with the 28mm wide angle built in . All I can say is I will never ever buy a camera without that wide angle again . It is perfect . It is a bit bulky but worth it for the crispy zoomed pictures you get . And you get use to the bulk and the grip and I have small hands so no problem . It is probably bigger than you are use to , this is not ELPH . But with the 20x . . . It runs on double AA's but if you get some nice rechargeable they should last you long while . I was on a recent trip in Peru and used some sanyo batteries and they lasted for 3 days of continuous picture taking . the one annoying thing is no lens cap tether ! but you can buy one for a buck and do that yourself . one of the best things is the flip out LCD it helps you take really hard to angle shots . I found the wheel a little annoying and I had to use the book a lot when I was trying to figure other controls in the beginning , but if you want to just up and go with the camera you use the auto functions and get great pictures . So picture takers who want ZOOM take this camera and go ! ! ! ! !
    • 127 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) This Canon camera is awesome . I wanted to take a set up from the 5MP Sony Cybershot I used for years . Having 10 MP and 20X Optical with this Canon makes a world of difference . It's great having the ability to tilt the viewing screen . I've recommended this camera to all my family and friends .
    • 131 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I've emailed Canon about the absence of the string to the lens cap on this camera , and they said it wasn't incorporated because it would not work well with the lens hood featuring this model . Otherwise , it's a great mega zoom
    • 133 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) 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 .
    • 135 4  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 .
    • 138 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I purchased this camera after a great deal of research . The camera ( if you take the time to read the manual ) is user friendly , and takes great pictures . I especially like the image stabilization , and the viewfinder outlining the faces for proper alignment . Though a bit heavier than some of the competition , the body is solid and I believe it will last .
    • 140 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I upgraded to this from a simpler Powershot A70 ( if I recall the model correctly ) that fried after 2500 photos on a study tour at desert archeological sites last year . I wasn't ready for carrying and swapping multiple lenses and larger bags whether climbing through tight quarters in ancient temples or over slippery rocks and trails in rain forests . So the SX10IS was a logical move with the easy for a non-power-user interface , what was the most powerful zoom at the time for the price range , and 10MP . So far the photos have been pretty good , with only a few blurred . Colors appear clear and bright . Battery life appears to be pretty good . And I like the movie mode that runs as long as I have power or memory left . However , it has two flaws a new buyer should consider . The lesser is the very blurry optical viewer . It is only good for aiming the camera at an object and trusting the auto-focus to get the shot . It usually does a good job of focusing if given enough time for the autofocus to engage . The digital viewer works great though . The bigger issue is with the time it takes to refresh in between shots . If you need to take a series of shots within 3 seconds , forget it . Refresh rate is very slow . Use the movie mode instead . I am adjusting my tactics to get the images I want around these two flaws and overall I still like the camera . The pluses outweigh the minuses for my use . But be informed before making your decision .
    • 141 4  I upgraded to this from a simpler Powershot A70 ( if I recall the model correctly ) that fried after 2500 photos on a study tour at desert archeological sites last year . I wasn't ready for carrying and swapping multiple lenses and larger bags whether climbing through tight quarters in ancient temples or over slippery rocks and trails in rain forests . So the SX10IS was a logical move with the easy for a non-power-user interface , what was the most powerful zoom at the time for the price range , and 10MP . So far the photos have been pretty good , with only a few blurred . Colors appear clear and bright . Battery life appears to be pretty good . And I like the movie mode that runs as long as I have power or memory left . However , it has two flaws a new buyer should consider . The lesser is the very blurry optical viewer . It is only good for aiming the camera at an object and trusting the auto-focus to get the shot . It usually does a good job of focusing if given enough time for the autofocus to engage . The digital viewer works great though . The bigger issue is with the time it takes to refresh in between shots . If you need to take a series of shots within 3 seconds , forget it . Refresh rate is very slow . Use the movie mode instead . I am adjusting my tactics to get the images I want around these two flaws and overall I still like the camera . The pluses outweigh the minuses for my use . But be informed before making your decision .
    • 143 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I got this camera from Amazon about a week ago . Aside from using a simple cheap point and shoot camera , I'm new to photography . I bought this camera because I wants something that took video and pictures . This camera takes very good pictures and very good video ( NOT HD ) . I'm new and I am amazed at some of the shots I can get with this camera . I now look for shot as I drive and go out to take nature photos . I will say that you need to read the manual . Which I did right after getting the camera . There is a lot to learn with this camera . It can be as point and shoot or as manual as you want it . My dad liked my camera so much that he bought a camera based solely on messing around with mine . This is a very good camera . Check out some of the photos I uploaded for this camera . There are some aspects of the camera though that I can see that aren't the best . The higher ISOs gets grainy , I wish it was a little faster , like to have a better flash , and I wish there was a better way to manually focus . The dial wheel that some people complain about isn't that bad as far as I can say . I haven't had that much of a problem using it . All in all this is a veery good camera .
    • 146 4  I was hesitant to buy since my S3IS and S5IS both disappointed me with regards to IQ . I was very surprised to see the results from the SX10 . I took about 20 identical shots with it and my G10 , same settings , both jpeg . Even at the pixel level I was unable to see a difference in quality . I'm impressed .
    • 149 4  Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom The best pricing was through Amazon from Crutchfield . The delviery was to be 3 - 5 business days and it arrived on the 6th , which meant I did not have the camera for a planned trip-poor planning on my part too . The camera replaces a Canon digital that suddenly broke and was too expensive to repair . I have had the camera for 3 weeks now , and I am happily impressed with the features and results . I am an amateur who likes to take close-range and distant photos but without the hassle of changing lenses . My old Pentax retired years ago . Surprisingly fun is the ability to take videos , almost like a cam corder . Also fun , is when the memory card can be put into the Panasonic TV slot and the photos make a slide show on a 50 plasma ! I think this camera offers great flexibility and results for the amateur ; with the need for more performance , but not the need to spend money on a camera or lenses that are rarely used . I am a professional complainer and critic so it is rare to report that I am recommending something .
    • 150 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I am very happy with this versatile camera . I was thinking about buying a camcorder and a still camera but this camera meets all my needs . The audio is good even though you cannot connect an external microphone . Battery life is good , zoom range is good , picture quality is very good with auto focus and auto exposure . I like the panorama feature that allows me to stitch multiple shots together . This camera is a great value .
    • 154 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) Although I own several Nikon SLR digital cameras along with numerous lenses , I decided to try out the Canon SX10IS for a recent trip in stead of logging all those heavy lenses along . I was not disappointed . When by chance I came upon a large crowd of parrots devouring tree blossoms in San Francisco , I was able to capture the phenomenon with this camera hand held . Several other professional photographers present expressed envy , since they were crouched in various contortions with their 18 - inch lenses on tripods , only to get the same results I did . The numerous direct-control features on this camera were also a welcome change from the command menu layers one normally will have to content with on most equipment of this type . But many of the controls and menu items are quite confusing , requiring extensive reading of the manual . In other words , they require a good deal of preparation . They are not naturally logical . Even so , this is a most capable camera and well worth the price .
    • 156 4  I have had this camera for 2 months now . Have used it in every circumstand I can think of . I have been very pleased . 1 ) battery life . Alkaline battery life is only about 100 pics for me . I use Rayovac Hybrids and I can easly take 400 pics with these . I imagine with Lithium you could reach 600 . 2 ) picture quality . It isn't an DSLR but sure is close . Qualtiy is very good in any lighting conditions . You should be able to print any picture any size you want . 3 ) Zoom . Amazing . I have taken pictures zoomed all the way with out a tripod and they are almost as clear as if I was right on top of item . The image stablaization worked perfect everytime . ( I do not use the digital zoom ) 4 ) Video - Love the dedicated button for video . I have had many cameras where I always wished they had something like this . The qualtiy is not HD and you can buy their model that has it for $200 more but I don't know that it is worth it . The video quality is great in my opinion . If you really want an HD video camera I would suggest buying a seperate HD video camera . 5 ) features - lot and lots of great features . The color swap and where you can make everything black and white except one color is pretty nice . 6 ) ease of use . Everything seems really intuitive to me . Everything is right where it should be . I don't think you can go wrong with this one . I did a ton of research and dpreview.com and digitalcamerareview.com before I bought this utla zoom camera . Thought about getting a DSLR but I really wanted the zoom . You can get this great camera that would probably meet your needs for under $400 or easliy spend $1200 to get a comprable DSLR with this zoom capacity .
    • 157 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I just received this camera after months of research.I narrowed it down between the sx10 and the fx28 . I now know I made the right decision with the sx10 . Any bad reviews on this product can only be for three reasons . they are canon haters , they dont know how to operate the camera , or they received a defective camera . This camera focuses spot on quickly in light or dark areas.The picture quality is close to dslr quality . The movie mode is as good as my sony digital handy cam.The camera feels great in your hands and there are so many options that it is a great camera for photo enthusiasts . It is also a great point and shoot camera if you dont want to get into all of the options . The purple fringing everybody talks about is absent on regular size prints . If you blow them up the pictures look beautiful , with vivid scrumptious quality . If you purchase this camera make sure you buy the 4000 leather case made by canon for it . they go well togeather . Like I said dont listen to the negative feed back . True it doesnt have raw , But I know it will be available on wiki soon for a download . Dont hesitate get it now Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom you wont be disappointed .
    • 158 4  I just received this camera after months of research.I narrowed it down between the sx10 and the fx28 . I now know I made the right decision with the sx10 . Any bad reviews on this product can only be for three reasons . they are canon haters , they dont know how to operate the camera , or they received a defective camera . This camera focuses spot on quickly in light or dark areas.The picture quality is close to dslr quality . The movie mode is as good as my sony digital handy cam.The camera feels great in your hands and there are so many options that it is a great camera for photo enthusiasts . It is also a great point and shoot camera if you dont want to get into all of the options . The purple fringing everybody talks about is absent on regular size prints . If you blow them up the pictures look beautiful , with vivid scrumptious quality . If you purchase this camera make sure you buy the 4000 leather case made by canon for it . they go well togeather . Like I said dont listen to the negative feed back . True it doesnt have raw , But I know it will be available on wiki soon for a download . Dont hesitate get it now Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom you wont be disappointed .
    • 159 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I had the s3is and decided to up grade . The canon seems to be great and all I want in a camera . Like the canons point and shoot better than the SLRs because it is quite a chore to lugg all the lenses . If you do not take all of them the one you don't take is the one you need . With the sx10is and the s3is everything is there . Might loose some image quality but not enough to to make up the inconvience of lugging the lenses . This is my fourth digital camera .
    • 163 4  The appeal of the SX10IS was its super-zoom lens . When carrying my regular cameras might be too cumbersome and awkward , I'll just slip the SX10IS into my dashboard compartment and feel I can cover most sudden desires to snap a few shots . The camera's performance comes close to excellent .
    • 164 4  As someone that takes pictures as a hobby , this is a wonderful camera . Still learning all of the functions . But compared to my Sony > Point and Shoot this is 100% better . What I noticed right away is the color is true , there is not alot of adjusting I have to do in my editing program . I also love that the screen flips out and turns around for self portraits so there is no guess work to where you are at in the frame . I used the movie mode a few weeks ago and the picture and sound were great . The Macro feature is great for flowers and close up shots , And the 20X Zoom for distance shots . Very happy with my purchase .
    • 166 4  The Canon Powershot SX10is is probably the nicest digital I could ever want to use . The pictures are clear and crisp . I love that you can take pictures WHILE taking videos and the features are OUTSTANDING . It is an easy to use digital with all the bells and whistles that one could hope for in its price range ! Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
    • 167 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) Although the flash did not work on the camera , I did return it and exchanged it for another - no problem ! The camera has met and exceeded my expectations ! On of my primary drivers in choosing this camera was the 20X zoom - it is absolutely wonderful . The photos are crisp and the settings are many - haven't explored them all yet . The camera is somewhat heavier than I'm used to so I do have to steady my hand in taking shots . I would highly recommend it to others , especially those interested in the zoom feature .
    • 170 4  Great product ! I did a lot of research and this seemed right for me . I didn't want to step up to a DSLR yet , but didn't want a limited point and shoot . Pros : Zoom range , clear screens , image stabilization , two zoom speeds , tilt and swivel screen , manual controls , etc . Cons : The eyepiece is a bit uncomfortable , it could use some extra padding . Great camera for anyone who wants to learn photography with a lot of the controls of a DSLR , but the ease of use of a point and shoot .
    • 171 4  This camera is amazing . If you want to have 20X optical zoom and zero cm for macro this should be your camera of choice . I am using digital cameras for 15 years now and had the first Canon pro90 IS which was 10X optical zoom and I must say that this one is state of the art at the moment . Pictures are in high quality and Image Stabilizer works great . I added UV filter to keep the lens from scratches . I recommend this camera as additional to your compact camera .
    • 177 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I have been using the SX10IS for over a month . I will only echo the positive reviews already posted . I'm still in the process of exploring and expermenting with the special features of this camera . The result has been some very excellent and beautiful prints . The only two negitive things that I find annoying , is the unattached lens cap and the instruction manual . Other reviews mentioned the lens cap problem . I wish there was a better way have this cap less likely to be misplaced . The manual presents a good amount of information in a very compact booklet . After several days of using this manual it broke apart into several loose pages . I do not have any negitive comments for the camera . I am very happy with the features and operation of this product . I would recomment this camera to anybody that wants the ease of use of a point-and-shoot model and the many features that are available to you for photographic creativity .
    • 179 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) Great megazoom camera . One lens does everything I want with the built-in stabilization . Incredible detail at long distances . Good range of automatic settings . Feels solid to hold but numerous buttons on the body makes it easy to make wrong selection . Some button labels are hard to see . Included software does not work with Windows XP ( x64 ) . AA battery power makes it easy to find and use inexpensive alkaline or rechargeable NiMH batteries .
    • 181 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I bought this camera from Amazon in August of 2009 . A few weeks later , Canon released the newer version ( SX20 ) , so I still had the option of keeping the SX10 or returning it to Amazon for the SX20 . After researching the SX20 , I decided to keep the SX10 , and I'm glad I did . The main reason is that most of the experts out there who tested both cameras claim that the SX10 has slightly better image quality , and that was important to me . I know that the SX10 has a Super Fine image quality setting , while the newer SX20 can only go as high as a Fine setting . The SX10 comes with a full printed manual , while the SX20 does not , and the SX10 has a voice recording option , something they left off the new SX20 . Before I purchased the SX10 , I was searching for a digital camera that had a lot of zoom , took decent photos , and shot good quality video with excellent sound . Well , this camera has lots of zoom ( 20X ) , good for taking shots of wildlife . The video is very good , and the stereo sound is far , far better than my older point and shoot camera . No need for me to buy a separate camcorder . The photo image quality is OK , but not spectacular . Some photos have noise , but I keep reminding myself that this is NOT a thousand dollar SLR camera , so I don't expect perfection . For those people who are not camera geeks , this camera will serve you well in Auto setting , but I advise everyone to read the instruction manual and play around with the many manual settings , as there are lots of fun things you will discover , and you will be able to take better photos as well .
    • 182 4  I bought this camera from Amazon in August of 2009 . A few weeks later , Canon released the newer version ( SX20 ) , so I still had the option of keeping the SX10 or returning it to Amazon for the SX20 . After researching the SX20 , I decided to keep the SX10 , and I'm glad I did . The main reason is that most of the experts out there who tested both cameras claim that the SX10 has slightly better image quality , and that was important to me . I know that the SX10 has a Super Fine image quality setting , while the newer SX20 can only go as high as a Fine setting . The SX10 comes with a full printed manual , while the SX20 does not , and the SX10 has a voice recording option , something they left off the new SX20 . Before I purchased the SX10 , I was searching for a digital camera that had a lot of zoom , took decent photos , and shot good quality video with excellent sound . Well , this camera has lots of zoom ( 20X ) , good for taking shots of wildlife . The video is very good , and the stereo sound is far , far better than my older point and shoot camera . No need for me to buy a separate camcorder . The photo image quality is OK , but not spectacular . Some photos have noise , but I keep reminding myself that this is NOT a thousand dollar SLR camera , so I don't expect perfection . For those people who are not camera geeks , this camera will serve you well in Auto setting , but I advise everyone to read the instruction manual and play around with the many manual settings , as there are lots of fun things you will discover , and you will be able to take better photos as well .
    • 183 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) Great little camera . . . . already have 3900 shots on first one . . . . bought a 2nd camera as back-up . I am hand-holding 1 / 8 second at 560mm , 800 ISO & getting over 50% good photos . . . . amazing I.S . system . I frequently get good results on ISO 80 at 1 / 15 , 560mm . I shoot everything at minus 2 / 3 ' s stop under exposure with great results . . . . with bracketing by locking exposure in different areas of frame . Digital noise at ISO 800 is terrible though . Plan on adding rubber grips in ( 3 ) different places for right hand . . . . camera surface is real slick . Use 3M safety tread with PSA adhesive similar to material used in bath tub strips . Also , plan on buying the filter adapter from Lens Mate which allows full use of 58mm filters . . . . . . use a 58mm aluminum screw lens cap after installing the filter adapter & filter . ( available from B & H . ) Don't believe the 1 star dummies on the review list . . . . I bought two of the things ! ! ! Sample photos can be viewed on [ . . . ] Rich Barger
    • 184 4  Great little camera . . . . already have 3900 shots on first one . . . . bought a 2nd camera as back-up . I am hand-holding 1 / 8 second at 560mm , 800 ISO & getting over 50% good photos . . . . amazing I.S . system . I frequently get good results on ISO 80 at 1 / 15 , 560mm . I shoot everything at minus 2 / 3 ' s stop under exposure with great results . . . . with bracketing by locking exposure in different areas of frame . Digital noise at ISO 800 is terrible though . Plan on adding rubber grips in ( 3 ) different places for right hand . . . . camera surface is real slick . Use 3M safety tread with PSA adhesive similar to material used in bath tub strips . Also , plan on buying the filter adapter from Lens Mate which allows full use of 58mm filters . . . . . . use a 58mm aluminum screw lens cap after installing the filter adapter & filter . ( available from B & H . ) Don't believe the 1 star dummies on the review list . . . . I bought two of the things ! ! ! Sample photos can be viewed on [ . . . ] Rich Barger
    • 186 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I purchased a SX10IS through Amazon - process and delivery was perfect . Wanting an advanced Point-and-Shoot for wildlife and wanting to avoid interchangeable lenses , I researched this camera thoroughly . It looks as though Canon has tried to overcome the shortcomings of the SX10 with changes in the SX20 and SX1 but went backwards in image quality and viewfinder definition . I needed wins in both these areas so I went with the older SX10 . There must be a reason that they keep it in the lineup even after its replacements have been brought to market . Being my first serious digital camera , and coming from a film SLR background , I find I use the viewfinder as much as the LCD . I will grow into the LCD use I am sure . I was concerned by the reports that this camera does not take good pictures . I find it is very sharp right out of the box . It can not stretch the envelope with low light , way out zoom , ultra slow shutter speeds , but within these limitations I have been producing some very credible pictures after only a few days . They will only get better as I learn about this tool and get a tripod . I have not tried the video feature yet . Rigth out of the box , I set this SX10 up with a Lensmate filter converter , a 58mm protective filter , Eneloop recharge AA batts , 8 gig SD card and a LCD screen protective sheet . All set for a walk in the woods or shots into my backyard . I am very satisfied with my decision .
    • 189 4  If your pictures aren't turning out , you're probably doing something wrong . Small changes make a huge difference . Especially simple things like the White Balance / changing the light source . Take a picture of a cut open watermelon and watch the red heart go from auto bland to a bright juicy red . You can even set the Red in the Colors menu . But just changing the light source makes all the diffence in the world ! The most amazing thing with this camera is the Stabilization ! ! ! You can free hand all the way into the digital zoom and have your pictures come out clearer and better than they even look through the lcd . I'm constantly amazed at how stable it is . That's what made me choose this over the Nikon with 20x optical zoom and the rest of the competition . Just zoom out in the store and watch it find and track Faces from 10 ' to 100 ' . It even seperates the Facial Recognition pic.s when you download into it's own file , just faces . Just for the hell-of-it , when I registered this camera , I let CANON know that my 4 year old A75 PowerShot stopped working . It blurred out with purple vertical lines . They said to send it in and they'd fix it for free if it was one of those that got a bad CCD . Ten minutes ago the Fed Ex guy brought it back and it's fixed ! ! ! FREE , new CCD and adjusted and cleaned ! Amazing . Just that alone makes me glad that I picked the Canon . What other company would pay shipping and fix a 4 year old camera for FREE ? ! NONE ! ! ! Very Impressed with Canon . They've made me a loyal customer for life . They probably fixed it because I just bought this SX10IS . But , they didn't have to . I never expected them to do this . I was just curious to why my A75 went bad and if it was worth fixing to use as my work camera . Anyway , I never write reviews , but no one's ever fixed a camera that's years past warranty for free and had it back in under 2 weeks ! ! ! My next camera will be a Canon , and the one after that , and after that . . . When I was researching for the SX10IS , the main complaint was that the lens cap gets lost . Mine hasn't and they make caps with a lanyard for like [ . . . ] bucks ! What it comes down to is , shake all you want , your pictures will still come out butter smooth , even a mile away ! ! !
    • 190 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) After using this camera for nearly a week , and taking close to 200 photos , I'm satisfied . My zoom lens works just fine , I'm getting use to the controls and reading the manual . And I've taken some incredible shots . I'll be sharing some on this site soon . If you want to move beyond simple and inferior pictures , this camera is the right one . Yes , I've had problems with the lens cap , but that can be solved by buying an attachment for it . Securing it onto the lens is best done by just holding one end as you snap it back on ; squeezing both ends of the cap creates a difficult time of trying to get it to stay on right . My lowlight handheld results have come out just fine , even without a flash at 800 ISO . Of course I've always known that it means steadying yourself . I've owned several Nikon SLRs in the past , so the weight isn't an issue either . Only if one is only use to carrying nothing but compact digitals . I'm keeping it and can't wait to see continued superb results . But you have to study the manual , as with any advanced equipment .
    • 192 4  This review is from : Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Electronics ) I purchased this camera in Jan . , 2009 . Takes great outdoor photos ( haven't used very much indoors ) . Upgraded from the Canon S3 . I think the S3 takes better photos and is more user friendly for the every day , non-professional photographer . I've had problems with blurry and grainy pics , especially if anything slightly moves . I feel as though this may be from a wrong setting . I still love this camera ! Have had for 8 months and still trying to learn the features . I purchased the step-ring and UV filter to protect the lens , 2 sets of ( 4 ) AA rechargeable batteries . One set of batteries takes about 400 - 600 photos ( without flash ) . I also purchased Bert's photo cheat sheet and the Short Course in Canon Powershot SX10 IS Photography book . I take a lot of cemetery headstone photos and it works great ! Still learning !

  • 012 4  I have owned and loved every S series camera since the S2 and so I was very apprehensive when I learned that they had made dramatic changes to the next iteration . The size is bigger , the zoom is longer , video files more compressed and the button layout has been switched around a good deal . It's not that I resist change , I just believe that if you've got a good thing going - DON'T MESS WITH IT ! But I had already promised my photo-loving little sister that I'd give her my S5 when the new one came out so I figured I had to at least give it a try , so I went ahead and ordered it . I was most worried about the new video format as that was my favorite feature of the previous cameras , so as soon as I received the SX10 I ripped it out of the box , threw a 4gb extreme 3 memory card in and hit the record button . 4gb provided a little more than 45 minutes of the highest quality of video on the new . mov format , while on the S5 ' s . avi , I got a little less than 30 minutes , but I've never been one to complain about the size of the files - just the quality ! I walked around , trying to test it in as many ways possible , bright light , low light , wide open , fully zoomed , inside , outside , etc . I could tell that this camera had a more difficult time staying in focus when I zoomed in and out than the previous S cameras , but it wasn't appallingly bad , and I figured if that was the worst thing , it would still be a wonderful camera . So I watched the video on my computer and even though I was annoyed with having to use quicktime and found it a little less convenient ( . avi files are displayed in windows with a picture of the first frame , making them very easily identified , whereas . mov files just show the quicktime Q , meaning I would have to come up with catchy titles for all of my many video clips ) , I had to admit that the video quality was still quite good , and I think the audio is even a little better ( that might just be the camera though ) . At this point I'll talk about my impressions of the body handling . It is definitely larger than the S5 , but still not nearly as large as any SLR I've ever handled - it still has a relatively compact feel , expecially considering it zooms all the way to 560mm ! The grip in the right hand does feel a little weak and slippery , but I didn't ever have a problem with it slipping . In the left hand though , it actually feels quite nice as the larger lens protrusion gives you something to hold on to , including some very functional ridges along the bottom . So I'd say the ergonomics are very decent . The buttons are placed fairly well ( I'd switch the play button with the function button ) and they all feel nice . The wheel I hated , but I'll get to that later . So it barely passed the first test , but I still wasn't convinced and I cleared 6 hours from my Saturday to really give it a thorough examination . I also brought my SD1100 just to have something to compare the pics and vids too . I tried testing every limit of this camera as I stalked a crane , observed an ant colony , tried ( unsuccessfully ) to catch fish as they sprang from the water and just enjoyed a wonderful day among nature . Within the first five minutes I had come across two fairly serious issues . The colors and exposure of the viewfinder were terrible ; things that shouldn't have been blown out were , and I had a difficult time composing a shot as nothing looked nice ! The second problem came when I switched to manual ( my preferred shooting method ) and realized that the wheel had actually made things more complicated as now you have to adjust exposure and shutter speed on the same wheel and switch between them by pushing a button , whereas before up-down ( on the 4 way selector ) did the exposure and left-right did shutter speed . The interface has been improved but that was little consolation as I found this to be very frustrating . But even all of this could have been forgiven if everything else was great . The flip screen was as good as ever , so I pushed on . When I was finished I was actually feeling pretty good . I really enjoyed the extra zoom on this camera and I thought it handled very well . I had my reservations still , but I felt like I could get over them and learn to really love this camera . Not to mention I was really excited about some of the pictures I had taken and wanted to get back to my computer and see how they really looked . This is when things got ugly , pun intended . I've read all the other reviews and I know some people say this camera produces sharp pics , throughout the entire zoom range , but I have to disagree , strongly . At the long end of the zoom , pictures look like there's a slightly filmy sheet of glass in between my subject and me . Any bit of cropping and this becomes very pronounced . The NR on this camera is very strong and any high-contrast , straight lines were severely deformed . Almost like the mirage effect only more blocky . Wide open , the pictures just had no detail and looked just . . . bad . I'm so glad that I brought my SD1100 because I was really convinced when I started looking at my comparison shots , that the SX10 needed to be returned . The shots out of my 165 dollar point and shoot looked really sharp and pretty , while the same exact shot out of the SX10 looked completely emotionless and stale . I couldn't believe it . I double and triple checked that the nice shots were actually the SD1100 but I assure you they were . In all fairness I did get about 8 really nice shots with the SX10 , but that was out of more than 200 , and I know had I been using my S5 I would have had a much higher percentage . So now I don't know what to do . It seems kind of silly to buy a camera that I just gave away and right now I'm kind of disillusioned with Canon . I might try the Fuji S100FS . I hope this helps and if you do decide to get this camera - good luck .
    • 002 4  I've owned each new version of this camera since the Powershot S2IS . For me this is a worthwhile upgrade over the prior version , the S5IS . I'll start by saying that I am not a digital camera power user . I just want good quality photos without a lot of hassle . This camera provides that , yet also provides a lot of room for growth with plenty of custom settings that I can use if I want to learn how to use them in the future ( for example , aperture priority ) . Pros : - In initial testing , the face detection technology seems to work well . I can take a self portrait now and the lighting comes out very good . I think the technology has gone from buzzword marketing to true usefulness . - One side benefit of the face detection technology is that it enables the camera to intelligently take red-eye out of pictures without using the red-eye reduction lamp . - The flip-out and rotating viewfinder has always and continues to set this camera apart from its peers from other companies . It allows for less intrusive candid photos and has many other advantages . - Thankfully , the SD card door is separate from the battery door as it was with the S3IS . Thank you Canon ! There are times that I just want to take a few pictures , and now I don't have to open the battery door to take the SD card out and put in my PC's card reader . - Low battery warning . I think this is the first version to have that and it's very welcome . - 28mm - - I will never get another camera without wide angle built in . I have the Canon Elph 880IS too , which is a very powerful pocketable camera that complements this one well . - Sharp 20x zoom . Pictures turn out very good even at high zooms . In an indoor-lit apartment , I can read fairly small print from a photo taken all the way across a room - - it truly is amazing . - The picture quality is better at higher ISO's than previous models . Each model improves on this and this one definitely continues that . I haven't tried out the I-Contrast setting ( on vs . off ) but I can say that in some outdoor pictures that I have taken detail is good in shadow areas . - Finally , a standard lens-cap . It doesn't have a tether , but you can buy a cap attachment from a camera store that sticks on the front of the cap . The one that I got has an elastic band that goes around the base of the lens . I also got a better lens cap which can now be done since it's standard . - Controls . . . I like the new placement of the controls such as dedicated on-off button and display button . I don't think I will like the scroll wheel but time will tell . For those not familiar with this camera , there is a dedicated video button so that you can take video quickly without having to mess with the controls . - Weight and shape . I liked the shape of the S5IS a little better . This one seems too boxy and the grip seems too abrupt . It's bigger and heavier but not in a way that matters . It's expected with the new lens . The only thing I would have liked to see improved is the size of the rotating display . It's usable , but the 3 one on my pocket SD880IS is much better , and competing cameras offer a larger display . In order to get a larger display though the electronic viewfinder would probably have to be eliminated which is something that many wouldn't like . I'd rather have a larger display . I don't know if the compressed movie mode results in less quality because I didn't take movies with prior versions of this camera because the file size was larger . I like that videos take up less space now and I will use the video feature of this version . Canon released a camera similar to this with HD video capabilities but it's not available , as far as I know , in the U.S . Check the Canon website for more info . if you want to research that . There is not a way to screw filters on this camera as there was with the optional lens adapters available for the S5IS . It seems that Canon could have easily done this by threading the end of the lens but maybe I am missing something . I anticipate that Canon or some other company will come out with an adapter that will allow filters . My main use of filters was simply to protect the lens . I don't know if the software is improved because I don't use it . If you want date / time stamps on your photos , you need to do it via software . If you like this camera and are interested in a great pocket-sized camera to complement this one , check out the SD880IS . It has many of the same features such as the Digic 4 chip , face detection , wide angle , I-contrast , and in addition it has a beautiful 3 display . Update 10 - 26 - 08 - I previously commented that I thought the shape was too boxy and the grip too abrupt . After using the camera for a while I have grown to like the shape because it helps keep the camera more steady and helps prevent dropping it . There is a ridge below where the index finger is , and above the other 3 fingers holding the camera . That helps keep a good grip on the camera which makes it steadier while shooting and helps prevent dropping it while carrying it around .
    • 004 4  This camera replaced my old Olympus C2100 , a formidable 10x zoom camera introduced 8 years ago that started the mega-zoom race . Have played with the SX10 IS for a week now and very happy with it . Below are what I like : - It uses regular AA batteries . Never buy a camera that uses specialized batteries no matter what people may tell you . Updated 6 / 27 / 09 : this camera is so power efficient that it can take 600 photos on a single set of AA rechargeable batteries according to a leading consumer magazine ( no other camera can even come close , non ) . - It has a useful 28mm wide angle lens . This means you can include a whole group of people in a picture without standing too far back ( such as in a small room ) . Most cameras ( I say 90% ) do not have lens this wide . - You can zoom ( optical & digital , with audio ) while taking movies . Many cameras do not allow optical or audio during movie taking . - It takes SD memory cards which is most popular ( plentiful , cheap ) . Do not settle for cameras that take any other type of memory cards . - It has a rotating LCD display . - It is quick to take ( and view ) pictures and movies . - Picture and movie quality ( with stereo audio ) is superbly competitive to any other high quality cameras . Below are what I don't like : - No grip : this is one slippery camera . I like its size and weight but its grip needs to be designed accordingly . - The LCD display is very easily scratched . Do not wear this camera with a neck strap with the LCD facing out , because your shirt buttons will scratch the LCD . Immediately put a protective screen on this LCD first ; there are several protective screen or tape products available . - The lens has no thread so you can't put on a lens filter to protect it from smears and dust . - The lens cap has no tether or tether hole so there is little you can do to attach the cap to the camera . Canon , what was you thinking ? - I wish it can record movies in widescreen 16 : 9 VGA . It does not have HD movie feature but I don't need HD , I only wish widescreen VGA . Currently there are several 20x zoom cameras available , such as the Olympus SP - 570UZ and SP - 565UZ , Casio EX-FH20 . I've tried all of them , and eventually chose the Canon SX10IS as I think it gives you superb features and quality for an unbelievable price .
    • 005 4  I have been looking forward to the S6 IS coming out this year ( after skipping out on the S3 and S5 ) , and now it's out , with the name SX10 IS . I think Canon wanted to show that this camera is a huge leap forward from the S5 IS , and it certainly is given the new specs . Compared to the S2 through S5 , the zoom is now 20x optical starting at 28mm instead of 12x starting at 35mm ( much wider shots ) , as well as a 10MP sensor , up from 5 - 8MP , and Digic IV ( instead of Digic II and III ) for improved shots . I tried out the demo model in the store , and some differences I noticed were : - The camera is much taller and deeper to accommodate the huge lens , and does not feel as good in my hands as even the S5 - The body of the camera is very smooth compared to previous models , but it feels bulky compared to the S5 - The button layout is COMPLETELY different , there are no buttons on the front of the camera , MF and macro buttons are located in the back , you now press a button to turn the camera on and off ( instead of turning a jog dial ) , the 4 - way directional pad has been replaced with a clickable scroll wheel , also to enter playback mode you must press a button instead . I do not like this layout , but it does offer the advantage of being able to enter macro and MF mode using your right hand only . - After taking a shot , you can view very detailed information about the shot ( ISO , aperture , histogram , etc ) which is a nice add-on - The lens is marked on the top with approximate zoom levels and focal lengths - Unlike the S5 , the battery compartment is again separated from the SD-card slot , which is good - The picture quality is better , thanks to improved high-ISO quality , so the pictures come out less blurry than on the S5 . The sharpness and auto-focus at 20x is very good , with no visible distortion at any zoom level I did not see the intervalometer function in the menu , so I assume it is still gone as it was removed in the S5 , also no RAW support , and there is no custom firmware available for the SX10 ( since it is Digic IV ) , look for that in the future . Movies are in . MOV format instead of . AVI , still 480p , and still one of the best camcorders around . The MSRP is also $100 lower than the S5 was at launch , making this a terrific bargain for a 20x superzoom with Canon's great quality . My only concerns are with the size of the camera and the button layout . However , the huge zoom lens makes up for it , and the fact is it is still much smaller and lighter than a D-SLR plus wide-angle and telephoto lens . Overall , you can't go wrong with this camera , the quality is superb .
    • 006 4  I was the proud owner of a Canon S1 IS very soon after it was released . I loved the compact size , additional lens attachment , and zoom capability . Its quality was nice for the time but soon the megapixel race was on and 3MB images were left in the dust . I opted next for a Canon Rebel XT and spent $ $ $ $ on lenses , flashes , memory , bags , tripods , etc . Don't get me wrong . . . I love my DSLR , but when I heard that the SX10 IS was available I did not hesitate to purchase it for my wife who was beginning to be a photo-junky like myself . The 20X zoom lens reaches from 28mm ( wide angle ) to 560mm ( very long range ) and is incredibly compact . The body is about the same size as my XT . It has the bells and whistles of a more sophisticated DSLR yet can operate as a point-and-shoot for those with less complicated needs . We love Yellowstone so this will be a magnificent addition to our arsenal of photo gear . Forget the time setting up a tripod since it has built-in image stability . Forget changing lenses for the scenery shot versus the distance shot . The image quality is very good , has more megapixels than my Rebel , and even fits in my wife's purse ( though bulky ) . I give this camera an A + for what it was designed for . My wife's only complaint is the need to keep up with a lens cap that was connected by a strap in earlier versions ( S1 - S5 ) . Way to go , Canon ! Buy it ! I don't think you'll be disappointed . I would even recommend it for the novice to intermediate photographer who is traveling and does not have the space for all the extras that a DSLR requires .
    • 007 4  I'm in first days so can't give detailed report but I can say it is a big step ahead of my Powershot A620 , that was a very satisfactory camera . But the 20x was a big inducement since it will help me in kind of shooting I enjoy . There are many more controls than I am used to , and it will take time to make full use of all . But I am already benefitting from such controls as iContrast . Today I was trying to photgraph a waterfall and was frustrated by a shadow in the center because sun not exactly as I would have liked . I turned on iConrrast and took the shot . The shadow was gone and the rocks it was hiding were clearly seen . I don't think I could have done better if the sun changed position . I have also taken photos with the zoom and achieved results far superior to what I was getting with previous camera . I think there should be threads on end of lens so that I could use filters , such as a polarizer . However , Lensmate is fabricating an adapter that will permit the use of filters . But the absence of threads is one of reasons I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 . This is definitely a camera anyone who wants an advanced non-SLR camera should consider . For me , it seems to be the perfect camera , giving me many of the controls of an SLR but without need to buy and carry lenses . UPDATE I have taken several hundred photos since writing my first review so can now say it is perfect for my use . Some reviewers complain a bit about the weight ; I like the weight . It weighs noticeably more than my Powershot A620 , but I like the substanial feel when I use it . I don't shake more with this camera , if anything less , and the image stabilization lens takes care of that . Some have commented about the camera being slippery . I have not noticed that . Don't know why , but to me the SX10 is not a slippery camera . I am really pleased with the wide angle lens , something I did not have on the A620 . I didn't know what I was missing . Likewise the 20x zoom . What a difference compared to the 4x I was using . This is great for distance shots , I am also using it like a macro lens . I know now that I made the right choice . I have most of the options I would have if I purchased an SLR , but at a much lower price . The camera isn't perfect , but no camera is . I'd like threads so I could use a polarizer , and I don't like the wheel used to change the aperture value or shutter speed . It works , but is more time consuming than the way it was on the A620 . I like the camera so much that now I feel as thought I was nit-picking when I rated it 4 instead of 5 .
    • 010 4  I've had my SX10 for about a week and am very impressed with it's versatility . I tend to read all the user reviews I can before making a purchase and did that with the SX10 . I also tested the camera with my own card in a local store and compared video and stills on the same card to the Pany TZ28 . I am very interested in video and was attracted to the Pany because of its HD video . However , in testing , the SX10 was overall very superior . It has excellent color , unbelievable IS , smooth zoom , very nice stereo sound , and fool proof autofocus . I found the Pany to be weak in all those areas . I prefer the better all around video to the HD of the Pany . Initially , I was spooked by the reports of a slow lens during medium to max zoom , 5.6 to be exact . I read enough reports to be convinced that the slow lens would not be especially restrictive for me due to compensation in ISO and speed setting , made possible by the excellent image stabilization . I have found the lens to be just fine , even at max zoom . I also found that the lens is fast enough for indoor non flash photography . I even tested the ISO 3200 setting , which requires a lower mp setting . I printed these out at 3x5 and the pictures were very good . At first , the LCD seemed dark . After I turned up the setting to bright , it was better . After using it awhile , it seems fine . The EVF is large and bright , the best I've seen . When the professional reviews come out , there will certainly be knocks on the slow lens . In my opinion , this is more of a theoretical limitation than a practical one . If you like the camera , don't be spooked by the slow lens comments . If you're not sure , buy from Amazon with their excellent return policy . One really solid feature is the wide angle of the lens . This was not a feature I thought I wanted or needed . Now that I've seen the wide angle , I'll never have another camera without it . There are many other features that most will enjoy , including the dedicated video button , AA batteries , custom settings etc . I think average and very serious photographers alike will be happy with the SX10 .
    • 018 4  I have had a bunch of digital camera's that have treated me right . . . Sony , Casio and Canon . However this one is has almost everything I would want in a NON-SLR camera . PRO's * Excellent camera for the price * Support SDHC * Uses standard AA batteries * Flash hot-shoe * DIGIC 4 delivers excellent image quality * Lens is awesome * Love the rotating screen . * there's more but those are the main points CON's * Little bit bigger and heavier than the market competition camera's but it is not a huge hinderance * The menu's let you do a lot of cool things but it takes some getting used to and it not the most intuitive . * Built in flash is crappy but you cant expect the built-in flash to be great . It's good for emergencies . * As in other reviews the scroll wheel feels a little off , not enough to be a problem but it could be designed better . Overall I am very pleased with this camera . I previously bought a Fuji S1000 - 10 Megapixel camera and it was a completely piece of crap compared to this one . I am very glad I returned that and spent the extra money on this one . My father is a pro-photographer and he has always used Canon , even in the film days . I will also stick with Canon from this point on , because it works and works good .
    • 022 4  I was a long time user of the Canon EOS SLR's and I loved them . I say that only because readers should know I am an experienced photographer . I make this review after using this camera for about six months . I've had plenty of time to put it through its paces in various situations . First let me say that I'm not comparing the SX10IS to an SLR but rather to my Panasonic DMC FZ20 with 12X zoom Lieca lens . The Panasonic is an excellent camera , by the way and I recommend it highly . The Canon SX10IS camera has been a big disappointment . It was purchased mainly for wildlife photography . The 20X zoom works fine , but its bad points far outweigh the one good feature this camera has . 1 . First the lens . The images are soft , not as sharp and crisp as the ones from the Panasonic . This could also be the auto focusing mechanism . Near , far , where ever the subjects are , the focus is soft . 2 . Camera design is poor . Buttons cover every available surface of the camera's body . My small hands just cannot hold the camera without pushing one of the numerous buttons that cover the camera's surface . 3 . I wish they had not attempted to cram every conceivable feature into this camera . More is not always better . The menu is a nightmare to navigate . No changing settings quickly to capture a bird in flight . Thankfully they left out the wash and spin dry feature but that is the only thing missing . 4 . The optical viewfinder , which you need to use when shooting wildlife ( especially if you are a former SLR user or if you wear glasses ) , is very poor . The view is fuzzy and the viewfinder is very small . 5 . The camera body is cheaply made . Handle it very carefully . For example the door to the memory card is hinged with cheap material that will easily break with much opening or a slip of your fingers . 6 . When holding the focus at 20X waiting for a subject to turn just the right way the camera makes a chugging sound and the image jumps . That can't be good . These are my main complaints about this camera . Some advice : Don't just order this product online . Hold one in your hands , do some trial shots . Try to use it as you would in your everyday photography before you purchase it . Look at other camera models and compare before you buy .
    • 023 4  It's not a DSLR but it comes pretty darn close . What doesn't it have that a DSLR does ? 1 . Well the obvious is you can't change lenses but with such a large zoom and super macro why carry around all that stuff just to take hobby shots ? 2 . The sensor is never going to be as great as the higher end cameras , but it does a darn good job if you know how to work your settings and use a tripod . 3 . You can't shoot raw . Again this is for the person who likes to take photos rather than switching out lenses , cleaning innards of the body , and sitting in front of the computer tweaking all day . That being said if you're looking for a more professional camera go for the new Rebel ( I believe the new one has live view that the older models don't and that is a real plus . ) Okay so shooting at anything above 400ISO gets noisy . My solution - use a tripod for longer exposures at a lower ISO or use flash when possible . The zoom is great and though you do lose some quality there is an image stabalizer , you will get shake - - again use a tripod or monopod . The thing is so easy to use , I never even read the instruction manual . It's all right there on the camera , you just have to play around with it . Burst mode is kinda slow , but again it's under $400 camera - - there are going to be some trade offs for the all-in-one-point-and-shoot . USE the scene settings , they are marvelous , and can actually help train you on how to set the camera manually . The indoor mode is fantastic at setting the white balance . The best situation for any camera is lots of light so expect noise , blur etc in darker settings . Get yourself a flash - - Speedlite 430ex or better if you have the cash . I am still waiting for mine , but if you like to bounce flash off the wall behind you do some more research on it . Get a diffuser and / or bounce the crap out of it . Experiment and play . Once you learn the camera and its nuances , you will be able to get the most out of it . Spend the money and get a fast memory card with a lot of space . This camera is now my baby and I have used the Olympus Camedia 3.2 MP for quite some time and I have taken a lot of great photos with it . I had the older rebel , hated that it didn't have live view and didn't have the money to buy fast telephoto lenses . Sold it . I recommend you keep yours if you have one though . . . they are great cameras . I will be shooting intimate events ( baby showers , small weddings , birthday and holiday parties ) with this one and using my friend's rebel as a backup . LOL imagine that ! ! ? I figure I can make some of my cash back maybe even enough to get the new rebel . If you want something that is easy to use , has a great zoom lens , takes great photos and is under $400 , this is the camera for you . It's a canon and the resale value should stick should you want to upgrade in a year . T -
    • 024 4  This camera is almost perfect . I'm not going to be able to add much to what the other reviewers have stated : I agree with all the good points ( type of batteries it uses , easy to hold , great lenses that adapt themselves to shooting almost anything , doesn't weight too much but , at the same time , feels solid , easy to use , the rotating LCD display , etc . ) . I cannot comment on the filming angle of the camera since I do not use it for films . I expect that , if I do use it to film something , it will be along the lines like the use of the camera that my cellular phone has : as an emergency measure only . If I need to film then I'll get a film camera . Getting back to the camera : I've had mine for a bit over a week by now and shot over 400 photographs . I'm definitively NOT a power user , but I do know a bit or two regarding what constitutes a good photograph : if I like it then it's a good one ! This machine makes almost all shots look like good ones . If you don't want to bother about anything , just select the AUTO function and zoom to the point of getting in the picture what you want . Period . If , like me , you like to tinker a little ( or a lot ! ) , it has almost all the functions that you might wish for ( and , perhaps , some more that you didn't know existed ) . When I say that it's close to perfect it is because : a ) The shutter cannot be programmed for a lapse greater than 15 seconds . If you want to shoot stars or some other night pictures , this might be a bit of a concern . I would have liked the shutter to be fully programmable up to infinity . b ) The low battery alarm only comes on when you're dangerously low on power . By then it might be too late . I would have liked a battery level indicator that tells me at all times what the level of power is so that I can take precautionary measures ( like buying some more batteries ahead of time ) . c ) The continuous shooting mode , when you have selected the 10 Mega pixel resolution , is slow . I was shooting a corrida here in México and action was a lot faster than what the machine was capable of capturing . Most certainly the 0.6 seconds that are specified need to be improved ( perhaps up to 0.2 seconds or less ) . If someone tells me that I can get a faster response by lowering the resolution , my response would be : what's the point of getting a lot of low resolution pictures ? If I'm shooting something it's because I'm interested in it in the first place ! If I had to resume this machine it would go along these lines : It has almost everything that you might want but doesn't force you to use it : it leaves you the freedom to be the type of photographer that you are . Not much else that I can add .
    • 025 4  After many weeks of research and reading of reviews on multiple different brands and models of cameras , trying to find a replacement for my Sony P72 which I was unhappy with before it broke , I settled on purchasing the Canon SX10IS . Checking out some review sites that showed pictures taken with the differnt cameras , the pictures taken by the Canon SX10IS were better than any pictures taken by other superzooms in the same conditions and settings . Besides good picture quality , it also has all the features I was looking for in a digital camera : full manual controls , a camera that wasn't small and easily lost , AA batteries , and good macro and wide angle capabilities . When I was looking for the camera I didn't realize I actually desired a good zoom capability as well . In my first actual use of the camera at a baseball game where my son's class sang the national anthem , I found myself thanking myself for having gotten one with 20x zoom . I was able to get good pictures of him by home plate while I sat in the outfield nosebleed cheap seats . I'm loving the outstanding zoom capabilities . In all of my tests and real world use of the camera I've not been let down . It performs just as well as the reveiwers said it would . I switched to rechargable AA batteries , but I wasn't able to drain the four alkaline AA batteries that came with it , before I replaced them before the earlier mentioned baseball game , and I took about 150 shots with the alkalines . I've taken video and about 200 shots with the recharables and haven't yet drained them . I do have a backup set of recharable batteries for when I really get to some extended photo sessions , but I don't see needing more than the one extra set . I have no complaints about its battery life . I was also very pleased with its image stabilization . I was able to take pictures at extreme zoom that I know I wouldn't have been able to take clearly without it . I also took some macro photos without using a tripod , hand held only , and got some very clear results . I'm glad it didn't come with a small memory card like some other people complain about . My old Sony came with a 16MB Sony card which was all but useless , as I could only get 12 or so pictures on it . Nobody has a use for that small a card . The SX10 - IS not coming with one allowed me to get one of the size I want and not have to be saddled with a wasted card . My only complaint is that it is fairly heavy and you'll definitely want to use the neck strap . You won't want to hand carry this camera around for long periods of time . I do not regret for an instant purchasing this camera . I know I would have been unhappy with other models had I chosen differently . It's my first superzoom and with its similarity and functioning similar to a DSLR , it has me seriously thinking about taking the plunge into the DSLR realm at some point in the future after I improve my photography skills . In the mean time there are some third party add ons that can expand it's capabilities to be more DSLR like until I decide to take the plunge .
    • 026 4  Many picture buffs like myself are torn between the weight , expense and size of many digital SLR's , and the increasing power and convenience of the near SLR portables . Hardcore travelers like myself know the convenience of throwing a camera in a case or backpack , and the hassle that the weight , care and feeding of an SLR can pose on such trips . Fortunately , what I've seen so far is that the high quality of zoom shots is setting a brand new standard with this new camera from Canon . Earlier super-zoom models , or those with zooms in excess of 10x or 12x , suffered from image quality problems as long zooms strained the limits of the tiny processors needed to capture light and reduce the effects of vibration . All these negative effects increase exponentially with each increase in zoom power . It used to be that only the large lenses and higher sensitivity power of expensive SLR's solved this problem . Processor sensitivity has finally caught up with the portable 20x optical zoom . Finally 100mm zoom power , without SLR expense and weight .
    • 028 4  I used the Canon SX10is daily over a period of two months on a trip to Peru , and shot around 600 images during that time . I would call this normal use . The LCD monitor on my camera appears to have an anti-reflective coating which resists fingerprints . The coating on the LCD monitor on my camera wore through in less than two months of normal use , and it scratched easily . The paint on the function set button on the back of the camera also wore off in less than two months , which I considered an unacceptably short time . This is not covered by the Canon warranty , according to Canon customer service . I had expected better durability . If you buy this camera and intend to have it hanging around your neck and brushing against your shirt , be sure to buy a plastic screen protector to protect the screen , or else turn the vari-angle screen inwards anytime you're not shooting . I don't know what to say about the paint on the buttons wearing off , so I'll just mention that it happened on mine and recommend that Canon use a more durable paint in the future . Otherwise the camera performed about as expected , although it went through AA batteries very quickly . If you buy this camera , also buy 8 rechargeable AA batteries and a rapid charger , and carry 4 spare batteries with you if you anticipate a full day of shooting .
    • 030 4  I adored my old Canon S2 IS so much that when it got dropped in the ocean there was really no question about replacing it with another Canon superzoom . I take a lot of wildlife pix , and the availability of a 560mm lens in a small , light , inexpensive package made the selection of my new SX10 IS pretty much a no-brainer . The trick new features like evaluative color balance and the histogram-in-viewfinder are easy and intuitive to use , but it's that incredible lens that really makes the package . It's not perfect - any lens that's so compact has to have some chromatic aberration : there's purple fringing visible in high-contrast areas of the images . It all depends on how closely you look , and how picky you are . But it's a fair trade , considering that the long lens allows me to capture images that I couldn't even consider with the average DSLR . Not to mention that the size , weight , and cost of DSLR's means that they stay home on most casual outings . Go ahead and price a stabilized 500mm lens for your SLR , and after you recover from fainting , you'll appreciate how much this little guy offers for the price . Amazingly , I paid exactly the same for my new SX10 IS that I did for my S2 IS several years ago . Downsides : I miss the time-lapse feature , or Intervalometer . The package is heavier than my old S2 IS . And there's that fringing visible in outdoor shots . Upsides : 20X , low price , fast & intuitive controls , and zero shutter lag . It's also nice to use SD cards and AA batteries .
    • 031 4  Let me start off by saying , the last time I bought a digital camera 3.1MP and 3X Optical Zoom is what you got for the same price as the SX10 IS . I'm still learning myself , since I bought my previous camera I was just describing over 7 years ago , so I'm by no means an expert or any authority . I'm still getting used to this camera . When I first bought this camera , I never even heard of shutter priority , apertures , white balance , ISO speeds etc . It all seemed overwhelming really , almost made the camera seem too complicated to use on anything other than Auto . But I read up on that stuff , and quickly understood it . Once that happened , putting it all into practice was easy . I finally decided it was time to upgrade , and on paper the SX10 IS looked like it would last me quite a while with all the features it offers . This is a LARGE , heavy , DSL like point and shoot , with all the mode and options you'd find in the lower end DSLR's like the Nikon D40 etc . I was able to figure out the basic operation just by playing with it , but the manual is helpful . I STRONGLY urge you to read the manual . I just have to mention the Face Detection . Playing around with the camera the day I received it , I was pointing it at the TV while watch Law and Order or something like that . And wouldn't you know it the Face Detection was going nuts . Every person's face who was on that TV screen , no matter how brief , no matter if it was one face or 3 - 4 faces , the camera detected their faces and put a white bracket around it . Macro , and Especially Super Macro mode are amazing . This was one of the things that drew me to this camera . Being able to put suck a sharp focus on something so close it could be touching the lens is amazing . Like I said previously , before I got this camera I knew nothing about shutter priority , apertures , white balance , ISO speeds and all that . With that said , after about a week of owning this camera I take almost all my pictures on either Auto , or Full Manual ( 50 / 50 ) . Its just great to be able to fine tune your pictures before you take them . One of the other things I was worried about when buying a camera is having to rely on software to make the pictures look the way I wanted after transferring them to my PC . With full manual control , edits like that are almost unnecessary . A word about the wheel . I guess to some this is a departure from the conventional type of digital camera controls they're used to . I've never owned a camera like this and with no prior experience I can't really comment on that . I can comment on the wheel though . It is a little tough to use , takes anywhere from a 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 a turn , probably even more , just to get it to respond . I suppose that delay in response was probably to prevent setting changes if you accidentally touch the wheel or something . Either way , it takes some getting used to using . Also , after having this camera for just a week , I have to say I don't know what I'd do with another camera that didn't have the swivel LCD screen . Its one of those things that you never knew you needed , until you have it and you wonder how other people get by without it . Definitely handy for macro shots and when using the camera at weird angels .
    • 033 4  I've been a ( more or less ) serious photographer for almost 70 years , and an earlybird with practically every technological advance in photography since then . In other words , I've seen ' em all . Digital is the great revolution - - nothing in the past comes close to that leap forward . I migrated to it 10 years ago , have owned a dozen or more cameras , and haven't looked back since . Disclaimer : I'm not a professional photographer . What photos I sell might cover my expenses plus a little ( 13 x 19 prints take lots of expensive ink ) . I don't have to produce near-perfect work day in and day out in a studio or on assignments . Those who have the talent and energy to do this work should have whatever equipment fits their needs . They earn it . I , on the other hand , am among the legions who have the luxury of picking and choosing when , where , and what to photograph . I can make as many errors as I do without damage except to my ego . I can play around with subject , setting , lighting , color , mood , and all those little things that differentiate photography from cellphone snapshots . I don't pay penalties for my goofs . I've had my Canon SX10IS for a only a few weeks , but I can conclude that its value for the money is simply incredible ! Whatever nits I can pick ( and there are a few ) are more in the realm of digging through its scores of features and trying to decide which to use ; not in the overall quality , which is simply outstanding . That said , I have to object to what appears to be an ongoing undercurrent of disdain for anything-but-SLRs that keeps coming up in product reviews . Aside from larger CCD sensors , I can't find anything significantly better in most SLRs than in the mid-range non-SLRs such as the SX - 10 . After decades of lugging several bodies and a half-dozen lenses around in multiple suitcase-sized bags , missing shots because it took so long to screw everything together , while paying many thousands of bucks for the inconvenience , I'm absolutely liberated from the SLR and hope I never have to use one again . The SX10 ' s incredible 20x wide-angle optical zoom eliminates any need I might have for multiple lenses - - I'm not a telephoto zealot . The ease of use eclipses any extra features the SLR might have . The historic SLR advantage of an image seen through the taking lens has been made obsolete by the electronic viewfinder and LCD screen that see through the lens . All that's left for the SLR is lens super-quality and interchangability , more light-gathering ability , and snob appeal . Most of us won't improve our non-professional results much , if at all , with these technical advantages . ( I can use Tiger Woods ' $10,000 golf clubs and not take a stroke off my score . But he can take my $750 set and shoot under par right out of the bag . ) There are mossbacks out there who cling to the notion that if it ain't film , it ain't photography ; and that if it ain't an SLR , it ain't a camera . Nonsense . It ain't the equipment , it's what you do with it . Oh , and by the way - - the best camera is the one you have with you . For me , it's my Canon SD - 1100 - IS that's always in my pocket ; my SX - 10 - IS is now the one that rides around with me in my car ; while my SLRs and bags of lenses languish at home in the closet . These are serious cameras for the rest of us . Bless you , Canon : - )
    • 035 4  So many things in one relatively small camera , wow ! Let's start with the lense . Very wide angle , careful to keep your foot out of the picture all the way to 20X zoom . Stood on the beach shooting an island a mile away and zoomed to people on the island beach not visible with the unaided eye without changing lenses . You are looking through the lense in this DSLR with diopter control if you wear glasses . The DIGIC 4 is the computer chip that arranges pixels from the 10meg digital CCD . Even most triple priced DSLR cameras do not have this next generation digital chip yet . They have the DIGIC III ( 3 ) . Want to change colors in the picture or black and white pictures with or without one color ? It will take some time to learn all the composing powers this SX10IS has to offer because of the DIGIC 4 chip . Needs 4 AAs instead of two like my other pocket cameras . That adds to the size and weight putting the SX10IS into a heavier catagory BUT way lighter than most DSLRs . Easy to hold with one hand . Four batteries means the right handed grip protrudes more with a nice little lip for your second finger to fit into to leaving your first finger on the picture button . Several hundred pictures down the road with many armchair reviews in the 2 1 / 2 LCD that pulls out and swivels no battery change yet . AAs are cheap and available everywhere . Won't even bother with rechargeables because one set lasts so long the rechargeables will run down waiting to be used . Two and half inch LCD and not highly detailed but adequate . Zooming in while reviewing taken pictures nice . I suspect that DIGIC 4 is helping too . SX10IS is not a pocket camera in size or weight . Last trip to Mexico took the 590IS which is pocket size along with this one but never used it . 20X and wide angle and other features were so nice to have . Generally I do not try to carry a camera ALL the time . Like to carry with one hand and wrist strap . Never around my neck . Smallest quality bag that fits is the LowePro Apex 100AW roughly 3 1 / 2 x 4 1 / 2 by 6 . That is pretty darn small . Plenty of room for batteries . Too small for instruction book . Tossed the neck strap and cut the water proof bag off to gain storage . I carry bag with built in handle . Usually just carry the camera without the bag . Think I bought this from Amazon . Might also fit in shoulder bag where you carry other things . Settings for special picture conditions like night , or action , or many many others extensive . Auto seems to come pretty close to compensating for most pictures . And you have all the manual choices too . If you shoot a lot of pictures in specific lighting conditions you can set ISO , shutter speed , etc then record that group of settings along with multiple others as custom choices easily selected again later . DIGIC 4 again ? Easy camera for no-brainer shots . If you are a technocrat that likes many composing elements here is a camera that offers choices you never imagined . Movies with sound and zoom , yes ! Panorama 180 or 360 degrees . . . . . . . . . . . or just pick it up and shoot . I would suggest this camera is an excellent choice that fits above point and shoot and below much bigger much more expensive , change the lense , type cameras . Moms that just want a simple , small , light camera , might find SX10IS more than they wanted . . . . . . . . . . . unless you want a close-up at the other end of the soccer field when your little hero kicks a field goal . It is just not an easy walk around , carry it all the time , type of camera . It is a super-power camera of picture choices that will look spectacular in you large digital picture frames . P.S . Just noticed Consumer Report gave this camera a 78 rating . Among all the other digital camera categories only one had a 78 , Nikon D300 which is in the advanced section and costs $1600 before you buy lenses . No other camera of any type rated as high . Type of personal usage still determines which is best . Multiple photographing choices make up for being a little larger than a point and shoot for me .
    • 037 4  I am very happy with this camera - I do not have a lot of uber camera knowledge and really just use a ' point and shoot ' camera . But for the price this camera really does it all - the video is awesome and easy to use - clear , great picture and being able to use the 20X optical zoom ( which you cannot hear at all when used ! ) is a huge plus . Also , for someone like me ( not a camera expert ) the macros are easy to use and the picture quality is great . For the price you can't beat this camera .
    • 042 4  I am in no part a camera expert , nor a novice , but so far I love this camera ! The zoom works great , the macro is amazing , I like the versatility of all the different functions . I am still working out how to do everything but so far the pictures I have taken have received great compliments . It is a bit on the heavy side ( and quite large ) and I wish that it had a cap to cover the flash thing on the top , but other than that I have no complaints . I think that you want to shoot movies , you should buy a camcorder . : ) The lens cap has a clip to attach it to the strap .
    • 044 4  The Canon SX10 is an outstanding camera sold at a fair price . The highly literate nature of some of the reviews gives a good clue as to who is buying it . I am depriving it of one star because of one inept design decision - albeit one that the user easily can remedy . As designed , the camera cannot take filters which would be a serious defect in a camera of this class . My guess is that some marketing person did not want the SX10 to compete with Canon's more expensive SLR's , a marketing strategy that has been tried , unsuccessfully , by other companies in the past . The fix is easy . The SX10 comes with a sunshade that attaches to a fixture built onto the barrel . Lensmate sells a well-made ring which uses that fixture and which holds 58mm screw-in filters . Of course , while it is attached one cannot use the sunshade , but for about $7 one can buy a screw-in sunshade that works just as well and that can be used in conjunction with the filters .
    • 045 4  Greetings everyone ! I waited so long to buy my canon s5 just waiting for the sx10 . . . just in case I wanted to get the most recent model . So I wanted to love the sx10 . I mean what would there be not to love with a 20x zoom . Well alot and I am really disheartened after testing it out and I will be sending it back to amazon as soon as I receive one of the last s5 ' s sold by costco . I bought mine last night and today they had taken them down from their site . So I got lucky . So I was willing to compromise on alot to keep the sx10 because I really do appreciate huge zooms especially one with a nice wide angle . I was willing to live with the mov format over the avi because when I viewed it from my laptop the quality is not too much different than the avi though a little more complex to process for some people . I was willing to live with the bulkier lens yet for incognito purposes like concerts the s5 without lens adapter can pass for a point in shoot while the sx10 really looks like a dslr almost the size of my Nikon d40 . Now since I have a dslr you might ask why I wanted the s5 when clearly the images can't come close to the d40 . Well , I really love the articulating screen for when I'm doing blogging or making some kind of how to video for youtube where I can watch what I'm filming while I'm basically filming myself . I mostly want to keep the s5 for the video capabilities because it's very good in low light even in an aquarium setting . Which brings me to the deal killer of the sx10 it is just terrible in low to medium lighting when using the zoom . I was outside in fairly good light filming my airedale playing soccer and the lcd grew dark when I zoomed in . At first I thought , oh defective camera until I realized it was just the change in fstop . If canon had been able to keep the same f stop range as the s5 , I would have tolerated everything else for the nice wide angle and telephoto zoom which I do love and for the ability to use a higher iso with less noise . But high iso cannot compensate for it's poor performance in anything but strong sun lighting . But with the change in control dial which is tedious and the inability to add filters and the terrible low light performance . . . I'm forced to pass on this upgrade . I did discover in my testing if you put a 55mm polarizing filter over the lens it will stay put and if you carefully twist the polarizing ring you can can take pictures with it but you have to be very mindful and this would probably prove tedious in a real world photo session . And I for one really love using a polarizer . So those are my frustrations and I am disillusioned after having such high hopes for this camera . So what I'm left grateful of is that I have the s5 to fall back on for when I want to use an articulating screen for picture taking and a really high quality , low light ability of the video . Warmly , Laurie
    • 048 4  I haven't had this much fun with a camera since my ancient Canon A1 . I really like the ability to switch between aperture ( Av ) and shutter speed ( Tv ) priority . And I find it's much easier to use the viewfinder than the LCD screen ( so it was important to me for my digital camera to have a viewfinder ) . And until I looked at the differences ( in the manual's appendix ) between Auto and Programmed modes , I wondered why have both . . . now I'm glad I looked . One of the first things I did was to turn off most of the camera's helpful settings . I am a big fan of fixing things like contrast or red eye AFTER downloading the photos to my computer . . . not having the camera pretending to know what I want better than I do . And I usually only want to target a portion of the image . . . not the entire image that these helpful settings attempt to fix . Others have complained that the lens cap is easy to lose . . . but I got so used to putting my Canon A1 ' s lens cap in my pocket as soon as I took it off ( it didn't have a lens strap either ) that I just kept following that practice with my new SX10IS . One of the things I like the most is the fact that it uses standard AA batteries . My previous digital camera ( a Nikon - because the lens is what matters when taking a photo ) used a proprietary battery that was difficult to find at times ( even the store where I usually bought the battery was occasionally out of stock ) . The popup flash allows me to place a loose fabric over the flash to reduce the flash brightness ( something next to impossible on the Nikon with its flash built into the housing ) . I haven't yet upgraded to the Canon Speedlight flash . . . but it's nice to know that I have that option . For me , the biggest drawback is that the shutter release button is placed a bit too far forward for my tastes . . . but that's a small problem . Not everyone has the same requirements for a digital camera as I do . . . but I'd say this is one of the best ( unless you opt for the hugely expensive DSLRs ) . Read all of the reviews and see if what people say matches your requirements . . . but I can say that I'd recommend this camera for anyone who is even a little serious about their photography . You can do a lot with this camera before you run into an option you wish the camera had .
    • 049 4  Firstly , I'm not a professional photographer by any means . However I do know several people who are , and having run it through their tests and mine , can say that this camera is great for the price point . I say almost professional because you won't be getting photos in National Geographic with it ( unless you're really good ) . For a wedding photographer , lesser journalist , or professional Ebay-er it meets and exceeds what one requires . It's also just fun to play with . Alright let's talk features . The 20X optical zoom does not disappoint , with sharp focus corner to corner . Add in an additional 60x digital zoom for a whopping 80x that allows for stunning close-ups with suprisingly low distortion / color noise . With the very aggressive tremor reduction it's possible to get clear pictures of the moon without a tripod ! The ability to lock the focus by holding the shutter button halfway is another standout feature for un-cooperative subjects . Additionally the burst shooting mode works well , with low lag . It can get some immpressive action shots when combined with the 3200 ISO high shutter speed mode . Let's not forget the plethora of packed in modes and tools . Photos can be resized , cropped , and colors tweaked directly from the camera without navigating 15 menus . The latter color editing is merely choosing from optimized presets , but works well enough for a pack in . Shooting modes range from fireworks to aquarium , are readily accessed by spinning a dial and are genuinely useful . Some of the more artistic and interesting ones are the color swap / color accent which swaps a color you pick from whatever's in the viewfinder , and the more striking color accent which renders the whole image slightly greyscale except for a user selected color . It looks really cool when used to highlight trees / plants / flowers . Speaking of the viewfinder , it sports a mini LCD with crisp image and bright backlight . The main LCD is equally clear , if sometimes too bright to accurately judge whether you got the colors / lighting you wanted . My advice , use the big LCD to show off your pics or as a reference . When in doubt check the viewfinder and trust it over the exterior screen ( lower res . but better contrast , besides real photographers use the viewfinder ! ) . The external LCD has a neat feature of rotating the image as you rotate the camera to keep it upright . If you take a pic sideways the camera will automatically straighten it out while preserving the taller aspect ratio , a nice time saver . I could keep going for pages but these are just a few of the things that really sold me on it . To cover a few gripes for good measure , the manual is HUGE and some kind of awful confusing . Best bet is to skim it to find out what buttons do what and then put it away and experiment ( You were gonna do that anyway right ? ) . The included software is clunky and boring , but you probably knew that . The flash works well enough , but to Canon's credit it features a hotshoe for remote flash which I recommend . The battery life is not terribly immpressive either , typically a fresh set seems to last 4 - 6 hours . Closer to 6 if you judiciously hide the big LCD . If you like to show off your work , get a battery pack and recharger and prepare to use it ALOT ( That goes double if you use the flash often ) . All taken into account this camera is literally THE BEST you will find without taking the plunge into $700 + professional territory . A great investment , or a fun toy if you have disposable income .
    • 051 4  I'm a bird watching freak and wanted a camera that would allow me to get closer to my subjects and capture fast motion ( birds in flight ) . This camera does not disappoint ! With the 20x optical zoom , I can get as close as I need to without sacrificing picture quality . I received it yesterday morning and went out the birdfeeder to practice with it . In 30 minutes , I managed 10 of the best bird photos I've ever taken . I also went over to Lowe's garden center and photographed new spring flowers and am very happy with the colors . A butterfly made an appearance and became an unknowing subject thanks to the 20x zoom . The pictures are just gorgeous ! I really love this camera .
    • 056 4  My dad has resisted updating his digital camera for several years . I finally convinced him this year and this was the camera I chose for his Christmas gift . It is simply outstanding . The camera is full featured and offers all of the controls that the DSLR's have when it comes to aperture and shutter speed settings and manual controls . But the real test is how it shoots in full auto , because that is when the camera has to make critical decisions . This camera succeeds wildly . We were at a Christmas party and I had my Canon 30D DSLR in full manual mode with a 550EXII flash mounted and my dad had his new Canon Powershot SX10IS . When we got home we compared pictures and he fared very well against my shots . The flash is surprisingly strong , but doesn't wash out close shots . It can light up a big room from far away . The focus is good and fast . The colors are OUTSTANDING and the 20x zoom and 28mm wide angle are features that offer the best of both worlds when it comes to handling a variety of situations . On top of that , the Image Stabilization works very well and makes the 20x zoom usable . Plus , my dad has now retired his old video camera as well since you can get image stabilized , 20x zoomable , 640x480 stereo video at the press of a button . This camera is really the best featured and easy to use camera out there and at a price that is unbeatable . Add an inexpensive 8Gb memory card and a set of four rechargable AA batteries and you are in at under $400 for everything you need . I highly recommend this camera as the best ALL-AROUND camera you can buy right now when you consider price , features , size and image quality .
    • 057 4  This camera is super ! Couldn't be happier . It is metal not plastic which is a personal preference to me , seems more solid . Takes nice photos and is easy to use , easy to move the photos on to my PC . It is my second digital , I actually wore out my first one ( I have small kids ) and this one seems pretty tough . The only thing I have at all to say that is negative is that the lens cap does not have a cord which attaches it permanantly to the camera . I will lose the cap . My Kodak digital just had a little string so the cap could not get lost . I researched this for weeks and this camera is probably the best digital camera you can buy before going to the type of digital that you have to change the lenses around . This is a very nice camera .
    • 060 4  I have had the Canon s10 for less than 24 hours , so these are my first impressions . I will update later . Assuming you have read other reviews , let me add some different information . Specific points . 1 . Comments about the lens cap are absolutely true ; it is awkward and does not fit easily . You wind up dropping it frequently and sticking your fingers on the lens . This is not good . 2 . After inserting the 4 AA batteries , it is very hard getting the cover correctly shut . I am guessing that it will break easily , if that task is not done very carefully . 3 . The feel of the camera is great ; it fits my older arthritic bulky hands very well . 4 . I didn't know until I read part of the instruction manual , that the camera has a control that allows you to vary the loudness of separate functions of the camera ; shutter , turning on , menu opening , etc . . . PLUS , there is a button on the top left of the camera that enables you to MUTE ALL sounds of the camera if you press it as you are turning the camera on . I think this sound adjustment feature is very handy , although my poor ears have difficulty hearing anything . . . 5 . The pictures I have taken have been very good and sharp for me . I was coming from an older Panasonic point and shoot . 6 . I am really , really having to read the manual to learn all the different capabilities . If you get this camera , plan on spending some real time with the manual . For example , it is not intuitively obvious how one changes the size of the desired image from 10 to 1 megapixel . It took real manual reading to figure that out . 7 . Despite my nit-picks , I am loving this camera . It is absolutely doing what I wanted . Namely giving me some really good manual and varied functions in a premium point and shoot without the expense of a DSLR . My plan , if I continue to use this and enjoy photography , then I will upgrade to a DSLR , but right now , I have lots to learn , and enjoy with the Canon S10 . Nick UPDATE : 16 Dec 2008 Still love the camera , but still learning . You MUST read the User Manual , and study it , in combination with playing with the camera . Good way to spend a couple of hours at Star $ $ s . The manual tells you specifically how to make certain changes in settings ; however , it does NOT tell you when or why to make the changes . You need to study it and THINK . If you want a camera just to take simple , quick snapshots , this camera will do it , but that would be wasting this cameras terrific abilities . Spend a lot less and get a regular Canon or Sony P & S . If you want a camera to learn how to do manual settings , like aperture and shutter priority settings , and others , WITHOUT spending the big $ $ $ s needed to buy a DSLR , then this is the perfect camera for that . Specific points : 1 . The built in flash is not very strong at all . I will need to get a Canon external flash , probably the 430ex model , to make it as strong as I would like . 2 . Figuring out how to change the image size , from 10 M to 8 or even down to less than 1 M for a 640x480 pixel photo is NOT intuitively obvious . You have to read the manual and learn that it is necessary to push the Function button while the camera is in take photo mode and then look down the list of items and choose from : 10M , 8M , etc . . . 3 . The lens for this camera isn't the world's greatest . When it is dark it will only open up to 4.0 and that just isn't fast enough ; then with a low power flash , your low light shooting is compromised yielding noisy / unsharp images . 4 . I haven't found a camera bag that suits my taste for this camera yet ; still looking . I want something that will carry the camera , an external flash , a spare set of batteries , and little nit-bits . I am sure they exist , just haven't found the right one . But then , searching for photography stuff is always fun . . . I AM loving the camera , but would still leave the rating at four stars .
    • 062 4  This is an EXCELLENT camera ! I highly recommend purchasing it if you're in the market for a Mega Zoom . I just can't say enough about it . It offers several pre-set photo options . The zoom is incredible . Picture quality is also excellent . It feels good in your hands . I suggest that you study the manual to become familiar with the camera features . It's an easy read . Plan on burning the provided AA batteries becoming familiar with the camera ( comparing the manual to actually testing them out on the camera ) . It's worth investing the time to truly realize the camera's benefits . I purchased rechargeable AA batteries rather than continually buying traditional alkaline batteries . AA battery vs . a proprietary rechargeable battery was a feature I was looking for in this type of camera . It doesn't burn through the batteries . Again - it's a great camera for armature or semi-professional photographers . Good luck !
    • 064 4  I bought this as an upgrade to my trusty old Canon S2 . Based on 3 days experience , the photographic aspect of the camera is great - better than the S2 particularly the 28mm wide angle . However , I have a few little complains on the ergonomic side . ( 1 ) The cammera is significantly larger and heavier than the S2 . And it is bit of a pain since I cannot reuse my old S2 camera case . ( 2 ) The SX10 comes with a clip-on lens cap which is pretty finicky to put on in comparison to the S2 plastic lens cap which I can easily and quickly slap on to the lens housing . Furthermore , while the S2 cap comes with a string to be attached to the camera body . That is not the case with the SX10 . So I can see losing my lens cap pretty soon . ( 3 ) The inside grip on the S2 is kind of sanded so it can be gripped firmly . The grip on the SX10 is smooth and a bit slippery . It does not offer me as firm and confident a grip as the S2 , particularly when the camera is heavier . May be it will become less slippery with time . Other than the above , good camera .
    • 065 4  Greetings - - since the release of this camera I have been following all the user reviews on Amazon and the consensus seemed to be overwhelmingly positive . Based on the user reviews and other research that I did , I pulled the trigger and bought one . I was really excited about getting this camera because it sounded like the next step up over what I currently have . When I received the camera I began running it through it's paces . Very soon into it I began to see issues with the camera . Moving beyond those though , I started taking test pictures using all of the different settings available . I then loaded the images to my PC and began looking at them . What I viewed was very disappointing . First off , the images were not sharp . Secondly , the colors seemed muted and they were not very accurate to what the actual scene looked like . Lastly and on closer examination , I was stunned to see large amounts of purple fringing . This is a problem I would expect on earlier generations of digital cameras , but not now and not on a Canon . What is really sad is that purple fringing is most common in high contrast areas ; with my test pictures high contrast scenes were not the case . The purple fringing explained the lack of punch , sharpness , and color accuracy . Thinking I may have received a defective camera I did some Googling . To my surprise I found other people were reporting the same problem with this camera . I have to tell ya , prior to this Canon purchase I had used a Kodak Z650 . The images I get from the Kodak blow away anything I got out of the Canon . Needless to say , the Canon was returned for refund . ( I want to thank Amazon for the quick and painless processing of the return . ) Here are some other issues I found with this camera : 1 . The selector wheel that is used to navigate within the menus did not translate properly . I found myself spinning it around several times before it would begin moving the cursor . Along with that there was a stickiness to it . It would stick and you'd have to apply more pressure for it to turn , this in turn caused the cursor to jump father than you wanted to go . It was frustrating to use . You can get around all that by pressing the dial down in the corners for the direction you want to go . That seemed to translate well but it is more time consuming . One click equals one position in the menu . If you want to reach the end of the menu you'd have to click your way through one position at a time . 2 . I feel the menu layout and functionality was poorly designed and not very intuitive . There are too many layers to navigate through and too many ways to get where you want to go . Here again , my Kodak does a much better job in accessing the options and settings . And just to be clear , the Kodak has many of the same SLR functions to choose from . My point being , it's pretty much an apples and apples comparison . The Kodak is extremely easy to navigate and very easy to learn . Canon could take some lessons from them . I'm not trying to sell Kodak here . The Kodak has it's own issues . The one main thing going for the Kodak is that it is capable of producing some stunning images , and that is the very least I'd expect from a camera . 3 . The camera is pretty heavy as others have reported . It's not a problem for me but I think it is worth mentioning again . 4 . I found that the lens cap falling off was not a problem for me , but taking it off was . I found this primarily true when you are using the lens shield that Canon supplies . It was difficult for me to fit my fingers between the inner lens shield wall and the lens cap where the releases are located . It was very clumsy and difficult to squeeze the tabs in order to release the cap . I would have overlooked notes 1 to 4 if the image quality had been there . Sadly for me it wasn't .
    • 066 4  This is a very good camera for both beginners , intermediate and advanced users . Canon has given great features in this hybrid camera giving a 10MP and 20X optical zoom . The image stabilization is pretty good and even if you are moving ( hands not stiff as well ) the picture comes out great . I bought this and have taken 300 + plus photos and except for 10 photos taken in low light this has come really good . The stitch assist feature is pretty neat , you can take perhaps the grand canyon as a single snap ( kidding ) . I suggest getting the sony batter charger and battery for this as it can last really long . The . mov files should not bother much and its clarity is also fine . Overall this is a good camera with loads of features , if only they had reduced the price a bit more to say $330 or so .
    • 069 4  This is one of the most feature packed little cameras I've used . The first hint is the nearly 300 page manual . It really requires reading at least twice , with camera in hand , to get a grasp on which functions are ones you will use and which ones are of lesser interest for your style of shooting . From focus bracketing to overlap assisted panoramic mode to in camera image editing , the SX10 IS will amaze you with its capabilities . If you aren't interested in spending some real time to learn what this camera can do for you , buy a simpler camera with a fully automated mode and save your money . This camera is geared toward the person that uses a camera frequently and can remember how to access its many helpful features . Of course , it has a fully auto mode if you want to hand it to a person to snap away for you , without having to know what every button does . Next comes the most important reason for buying any camera - image quality . Again , this camera can hold its own . This is a very small sensor camera . There is not a camera on the market with this size sensor that is going to produce high ISO , low light images that amaze you with beautiful , highly enlarged images . You've got to step way up in size and money for that kind of shooting . Otherwise , the SX10 IS will really surprise you . I'm astounded by the great images I can get up to ISO 400 . Even ISO 800 shots are more than acceptable in decent lighting situations . Combined with a Canon 580EX II , you can get some fantastic flash photography . Admittedly , this is a huge flash for such a small camera , but I already had one so I use it . You don't give up the best features of the flash with this camera . Many cheaper cameras won't use many of the features of the high end flashes . Not so with this combination . Things like high speed sync that allow very short shutter speeds are supported . And of course , there is the main reason most people will even consider a camera in this league , the ultra long focal range . Combined with the easy portability of this camera , the lens makes this a great camera for doing it all . You can really stretch out there with a 35mm equivalency of 560mm focal length . The camera's IS feature allows you to hand hold the camera and still get good shots at this focal length in good lighting . The 28mm short end of the lens is quite good too . As you can probably tell , after several weeks of using the SX10 IS , I am excited over this camera . To say it has replaced my Canon DSLR for casual shooting is an understatement . It has become my preferred camera in situations I never dreamed it would be used . If I don't need extremely short depth of field or very high ISO , super low noise images , this is the camera I pick up . It comes as close to a do everything camera as I have found .
    • 071 4  Nice colors . Great zoom . Quiet & smooth zoom operation . Decent view finder with diopter . Lots of functions . Decent low light performance . Improved video performance . Pictures are sharp and clear up to 400 iso . After that , typical noise visible . Stereo sound . Uses 4 AA batteries instead of 2 thank goodness . Too many buttons in places where accidentally pushed too often & too easy . Easy to block the auto focus beam with your finger . Autofocus has been inconsistant . Especially indoors , or in lower lighting situations . I've had blurry pictures where I didn't have before or shouldn't have . I'm no pro but , I do take a lot of pictures . Some were published by the College where I work . I like the camera but , I find the inconsistant autofocus cause for concern . My powershot A710is is more consistant in autofocus . Also experiencing inconsistancies loading pictures onto the computer using Canon software & attaching the camera / computer via the cable supplied . Sometimes pictures load ok , other times , the process stalls . I found that using a card reader works better for me . I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the software , but no change . All in all it's a nice camera . For me , focus lock & patience is a must . It just doesn't focus quickly / easily everytime indoors or in lower light situations . ( like i'm used to ) UPDATE 11 / 09 Had to return this camera to Canon for repairs . I started getting lens error restart camera message . Canon fixed it and returned it to me promptly as it was under warranty . So far , I am unimpressed . This camera gets glowing reviews everywhere I look . Guess I just got unlucky . I won't buy another super zoom . I'll go DSLR first . If i'm going to invest , then I just will invest more in the better camera . It's really a shame because when the camera is right , it's awesome . I'm hoping that since Canon got it back on the repair bench , that just maybe they found some problems created at the factory , and now have this camera on the right road . I really like the features . What I also discovered was that the mov files are not compatible with windows vista . I had to buy a third party software to convert the mov files to either avi , mpeg or wmv should I want to make movies . Here's hoping . . . . . UPDATE 12 / 7 / 2009 Just got back from Walt Disney world . I put this camera through a lot of use with stills & video . As long as light is plentiful , the stills & videos are very clear . The autofocus was very good . It's under poor lighting where the autofocus really stumbled often . I get better results with my A710is in poor lighting . It's just hasn't been a good night camera for me . I tried the 1600 iso , but the noise was just awful . Forget 3200 . I don't know why Canon even bothered putting it there . In my stills , I used the vivid color setting outdoors . I loved it . The colors were vibrant as I like personally . I shot outdoor video in vivid also . Those too looked better for me . The colors were richer . I still hold my opinion of this camera as 3 stars . For the money I paid for this , I expect better performance from the autofocus . I understand that this is a glorified point & shoot with a boat load of features , and those features are useful . I'm under the impression that the objective of a point and shoot is simplicity , not constantly fussing with manual settings with almost evey picture taken under lower lighting situations . Any camera can take decent day pictures ( providing the user sets the camera to its best settings ) . The autofocus system on a camera of this price should hold up under tougher lighting conditions better than this . Just my opinion . I still like this camera because of the huge zoom but , I think a huge zoom on a point and shoot is a mistake now . I think ( suspect ) the huge zoom is the entire cause of all the autofocus issues I have with this camera . Too much glass for the image to pass through . The lens is a good lens for point and shoot but , it's not an SLR lens . . . . . . . . If most of your picture taking and or video shooting is done under decent lighting , then this is a great camera for people . Their pictures and videos will please them greatly . The pictures are clear and sharp . The videos are also quite good . The camera with the MOV format zooms cleany while shooting video . You can brighten the video if need be while shooting . Just expect issues under so-so lighting . My next camera will be a dslr .
    • 072 4  I am so pleased with this purchase . I originally wanted the nikon p80 when i first started looking at megazoom point and shoots and when I finally played around with it , it just seemed dinky and the pictures weren't great . I waited and came across the canon sx10 is , I am so glad I did some more research because it is a world of difference from the p80 . I have taken a lot of pictures with this camera and the image quality may not be quite as sharp as a dSLR ( just slightly lower ) but the color is absolutely awesome . When I heard about the p90 ( 12.1mp 24x zoom ) coming out I thought maybe it would have had the edge over the sx10 , but after reading reviews comparing both of them , the sx10 still beats the p90 in image quality . I am thoroughly impressed with the canon sx10 is . I would highly recommend it . You cant beat a 560mm zoom lens for the price . If you are wavering between cameras , stop , this won't disappoint .
    • 073 4  My 11 - month-old Olympus died just before I was scheduled to leave for a three week visit to England . Olympus would not honor their warranty and I refused to pay nearly $200 to repair a $300 - camera and ordered this one instead . Free shipping from Amazon got it to me the day before I left so I had no time to become familiar with it , something I was apprehensive about since I'd never owned a Canon but it was not difficult to use at all . I bought a 16GB memory card in London so I would had lots of space available to practice but found I really didn't need it . I got some great shots and some very good videos of my friend's birthday celebration with a minimum of deletions . ( I also use it to take photos for newspaper articles I write . ) Definitely not disappointed and I give this one a huge thumbs up for quality and ease of use and to Amazon for quick service .
    • 076 4  I am a novice to this type of camera . My older camera is a Canon A80 which I like . Naturally I found this Canon SX10IS to be a little confusing and intimidating . However , I found the cure for this was , and is , practice and study . I first tried pictures of the moon which were disappointing . The focus was not good ( just a fuzzy yellow ball ) and the digital zoom was set on from the factory . This meant that the zoom was 80X . Even with a tripod it was difficult to keep the moon in the camera sight . I set the digital zoom to off and I recommend that it never be set to on . If you want a closer image you can crop the picture later . This is all the digital zoom does but which a lot more fuss . I then set the focus to spot and got a great picture of the moon . The 20X zoom is especially nice . I live at the ocean and can photograph fishing vessels just off the coast or seagulls sitting on a post in the harbor . Distant mountains are drawn up and the foreground foreshortened . This can produce very wonderful pictures that you cannot get with a lesser zoom . A tripod helps to keep the camera steady on many occasions . I tried the SCN setting ( on sunset ) for the first time and got dramatic results . I tried the same picture with the normal setting and it was just okay . With the SCN setting some people said that I should sell the picture commercially . Pictures in the camera can be viewed without turning the camera on as it to photograph . This may seem like a small thing but I found it to be useful and battery saving . The camera uses 4 AA size batteries . I believe that prior versions of this camera used the speciality lithium battery which is a major reason I didn't buy it before . I have known too many people whose photography during a vacation was cut short by a depleted battery . AA batteries can be purchased anywhere in the world and in my limited experience so far battery life appears excellent . I am enjoying the camera . It is just darn fun to use and try new things . I can get results in it that I never could get with my Canon A80 .
    • 077 4  I bought this camera just in time for our Disney vacation and the camera was wonderful . It takes amazing pictures ! Night shots , action shots , aquarium shots , fireworks shots you name it , it took it and did a great job . This camera has so many features I'll never be able to use them all ! I am very happy with my purchase .
    • 078 4  I was lured to the SX10 after 3 years of great satisfaction with the Canon SX2 IS . Many of my photos are taken indoors at church events . I prefer to avoid flash so that I can be as inconspicuous as possible , but occasionally I require it . With ISO 1600 capability and a hot shoe for external flash , the SX10 fits the bill . Canon made all the right tradeoffs for my applications . AA batteries are preferable to proprietary lithium ions because of their widespread availability and low cost . Having 4 AA's instead of 2 is a good tradeoff that provides longer battery life at the expense of size and weight . The vari-angle LCD lets me take photos from all angles . I prefer point and shoot to DSLR because the cameras are less expensive and more convenient to carry and use . Like its predecessors in Canon's S-series , the SX10 lets you record audio for each shot which is a great convenience for documenting landmarks during my journeys . 10 megapixel resolution is more than adequate for the online pictures I mainly use and even for my occasional enlargements of 16x20 . The controls are very convenient to access . The video quality is excellent . It seems like Canon thought of everything . I haven't decided yet whether to buy a Canon flash for maximum compatibility or a different brand for less cost at the expense of reduced compatibility . Since I use flash infrequently , I can wait to make that decision . In a little more than a week I've taken 500 + photos to experiment with the camera . I'm very satisfied that the SX10 provides the improvements I sought .
    • 079 4  Lot's of features for the money . I'm a NIKON person myself but I like this better than the average point and shot camera . No tripod necessary even with 10 MGP because of the image stabilizer which is why I bought the camera . It has a 20X zoom , a micro setting , a huge view screen that swivels for your convenience , takes movies with sound ( 3 mics ) . And these are just some of the features . Be sure to purchase a 4Gig memory card if you want to take advantage of the movie setting so you can shoot for 20 continuous minutes . Instead of packing up my NIKON gear I now take this camera with me almost anytime I go out . You can take very good pictures with it with just a little bit of practice so you will remember to change your distance settings to capture the right depth of field . I would recommend this camera to novice and serious amature alike . It's GREAT ! If there is a drawback it's that you can't use filters with it . To me that is not important with this camera .
    • 085 4  I'm a techologically-challenged grandmother , but even I was able to get awesome shots of scenery and wildlife on our recent trip to Grand Teton , Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks . I even got a good closeup of a family of mountain goats that were at least 300 yards away . We traveled by train and bus , and when traveling at lower speeds I managed to get some good shots from a moving vehicle . Shots taken in less than optimum light even came out quite good . Love the camera !
    • 087 4  What can you say about this camera other than spectacular value probably the best buy out there on the market today.I am convinced that you won't find a camera out there with this impressive feature set with canon quality and world class imaging technology in such a compact package for this very reasonable price.When it comes to advanced point and shoot cameras the powershot line is the benchmark by which all others are measured.In fact it is a misnomer to classify this camera as just a point and shoot it is capable of producing excellent images with an astounding 20x zoom range and a feature set that is incredible period.However with that said entry level DSLR's are closing the gap with aggressive pricing stratagies squarely aimed at this segment of the market.This might be something to consider if you have contemplated making the jump DSLR's still produce the best quality images because of the sensor size and type ( CMOS ) very low noise levels even at high iso sensitivities.If your not ready to convert this camera would be the perfect bridge , solidly constructed with built in image stabilization for shooting long zoom shots and an array of settings that cover most any situation you will encounter.I highly endorse this product I think you will be delighted with it's performance and amazed at it's versatility .
    • 088 4  I bought this camera to replace my older point and shoot Canon because I have recently gotten into racing photography and graphic design for my business . I needed something a little more high end without going the full digital SLR route . Honestly , most people that carry around the SLR's and 4 lenses are total overkill anyway . The shots from this camera I can almost guarantee you , are just as good as theirs . This camera has totally exceeded my expectations in both picture quality and ease of use . The manual adjustments on this camera make it really easy to adjust settings for various environments , including racing photography . The size of the camera is perfect and I love having the flexibility of it without having to buy or carry around 10 different lenses , flashes , etc . I have tested this camera out on all sorts of different subjects and it really produces great shots across the entire spectrum . For the money , I really don't see how this camera can be beat . Unless you are some stalker paparazzi type of person , this camera should fit most any photographic need you have , while still being a simple camera to operate . I find the layout of the buttons to be quite nice , contrary to other reviews . The screen on this camera is also really nice , but I rarely use it . My only negative for this camera ( as others have mentioned ) is that the lens cap needs a string on it or some way to keep better track of it . Overall , a great camera that I am extremely happy with . I have purchased Canon products for the last 10 years and will continue to do so .
    • 089 4  The Canon Powershot SX10is is a great little camera . Its lens is amazing going from extreme wideangle to extreme telephoto ( in 35mm equivalents 28mm to 560mm ) . The ten megapixels enables you to digitally zoom out even further to 80 power . I am a birder , and I wanted a handy camera to take picture of birds that that will yield a picture good enough to prove that I saw a particular bird . It is so nice not to be chained to a heavy tripod and a heavy birding scope in order to photograph birds . My pictures don't match the best pictures made by serious bird photographers with expensive outfits with long telephoto lens and converters , but it gives me surprisingly sharp pictures . The only criticism I have is one that I have read in other reviews . The camera has a wheel to select a feature that has to do with ISO or sensitivity to light , or in SCENE mode to pick what type of picture ( fireworks , sunsets , etc ) that you might want to use . It can be frustrating to get to the feature you want to use . The second frustration is the way you call up a picture you've taken by pressing a button way over in right field . I do like the ease with which you can take movies . John Lindfors
    • 091 4  I've been using the PowerShot A710IS for more than a year now and come to love this package for the workhorse service it has unfailingly provided . When I read about the SX10IS , I jumped at the chance to upgrade at an incredibly affordable price . I didn't look around too much - - I'm brand faithful and would go Canon anytime . There are so many detailed reviews here that I would never hope to match them . As an avid amateur though , and after using the camera for about three weeks , I have only praise for it . I've shot hundreds of pictures , indoors and outdoors . I experimented with shooting video . The results were always more than five-star in my book . The camera feels positive and points naturally . Yes , it is on the heavier side , but the strap does a good job of helping you carry it with no problems . Minor complaints are the absence of thread to allow using filters and the annoying little plasticky cover of the USB hookup . However , the filter problem should be solved soon : check out this site [ . . . ] And don't underestimate the GREAT practicality of the SX10IS running on 4 AA batteries - - no proprietary rechargeable , AC adapters , and all such to lug around . Just buy batteries at the drugstore or , better , get a couple of sets of AA rechargeables with your own little charger and you're on , no sweat and tears . This is a super package at an unbeatable price . And it carries Canon quality . Statistically , you can't go wrong .
    • 095 4  I want a camera that takes excellent pictures but really don't want to learn all of the intricacies of photography . This is the camera for me . The set up was relatively easy following the simple directions , and the camera setting is for Auto and probably will never be changed . I have been practicing before our vacation with all different kinds of pictures and they have come out awesome ! I love this camera and will be enjoying it for many years to come !
    • 096 4  Heys guys , this is indeed a sweet camera . Great features which have been covered in other reviews already . This is to simply provide an alternative to applying a filter on the end of this unit . It was not designed to carry one as is . But there is a solution . Amazon does not allow links in these reviews since mine was removed . But the company's name is Lensmate . They do have a website . This company has come to our rescue , knowing how important a protective filter is . So voila ! An adapter which will accomodate any 58mm filter or step ring . I bought mine I also got the lens cap and a UV protective filter ring from this company . A god-sent for sure . Now lets get to shooting some serious pictures without the worry of scratching our camera lens . Cordially , Manny from Tampa
    • 099 4  I have bought pocket size as well as 35 - mm based digital cameras through the years . After a friend bought the Canon Powershot SX1 and was raving , as well as showing some fantastic prints she had created , I did my own research and determined the few features that were different between the SX1 and the SX10 were minute and not anything I would need for almost $200.00 difference in price . Also some of the reviews had the SX10 having less noise or graininess in the zoom shots . So , after much debate , I bought the SX10 . I am so pleased with my decision . So far , I have only just played around with it , but I have taken shots in low-light , bright light and distance and each one has all the quality I could ask for . After going on vacation in July , and forgetting my Sony's battery charger ( and spending quite a bit of time locating a replacement charger - finally found at a Radio Shack ) , it is nice having a camera that takes AA batteries . Available everywhere ! I have only just begun to examine all the features , but the real test is coming - - in December we're going to DisneyWorld ! Unless you have some extreme need for the high quality video feature ( I buy cameras for photos , not video ) this is the best buy .
    • 100 4  I am an amateur at best & was wanting great pictures of my infant . My canon powershot A75 was great for my now 4 yr old but it took 3 or so seconds to take the picture & I was missing that 1 second smile my infant would give before she looked away . I read reviews on this camera plus many other cameras & decided to go with this one , instead of the Nikon . The single most important thing to me was getting the best quality picture ! I'm not concerned with how it works with the computer or the video aspect of it , so if you are buying it for that , my review won't be that helpful . Pros : This camera definitely has crisper pictures with a softer look & snaps photos quickly , one right after another which is great . I haven't had to change the batteries yet & have used the camera a lot . The lighting is spectacular , even indoors & it wasn't even on the indoor setting . The manual was easy to read & provides much information on how to get the best shot in all situations . ( Personally , I can't remember it all & only focus on how to get the best still shot , action shot & indoor shot ) . Cons : The on / off button . I keep hitting that instead on taking the picture . Canon should have put it in a different place . The flash ; it isn't automatic but it tells you to put it up when necessary ( by then your one & only shot may be gone ) . When using the zoom at its max , the pictures are blurry unless your hand is perfectly steady ( not mine ! & I try really hard ) . I would suggest a tripod . It is a little bulky & bigger than my previous one . I give 4 stars because even if I have to snap 6 pictures in 5 seconds , one at least turns out & I just delete the others whereas I missed the shot entirely with my other camera ! My pictures are great . I need to work on action pictures so they are not blurry but I just read up on it last night & haven't had the chance to experiment yet . So , if you are a mom like me & want great pictures of your little ones , I suggest this camera ! ( Nikon may be nice too but if you already own a Canon , the features are very similiar & you'll adjust in no time ) .
    • 102 4  This camera is providing terrific pictures . It's easy and intuitive . The automatic setting is very smart . The camera is light . The zoom does amazing closeups and distance without the greater weight and lens-swapping of the big boys . I've been told it's in demand by pros as an alternate camera because the price-to-feature ratio is so good . Cons : 1 ) After 5 months , a tiny plastic piece broke off inside the battery door and it won't stay closed ( must send camera to Canon ) , 2 ) No lens cap tether , 3 ) Can't seem to find a polarizing filter for it , possibly because this is not an SLR camera with live viewfinder ? , and 5 ) Does not shoot in RAW format . I would still rate this camera best in its class , absolutely . The next step would be a much more expensive DSLR .
    • 103 4  I purchased the Powershot SX10IS a couple months ago and am thrilled with it . I was a little nervous at first with all the bells and whistles this camera provides , as I've been using a very basic / simple point and shoot for a couple years now . Surprisingly , I got the hang of how to use the camera very quickly . The dials and zoom features are all right where you can easily reach with your thumb , so you don't miss the shot you want trying to get the settings set up . My favorite feature by far is the 20x zoom lens . The zooming is simply incredible . I had been used to close up photos looking a little fuzzy , but not with the Powershot ! You can take very detailed , up close photos that come out sharp and in focus . The sharpness is amazing . I am glad I splurged and bought this camera .
    • 104 4  You will not go wrong with this camera . It is the most versitile camera on the planet earth . You will not believe the zoom on this camera and how well it works with the image stabilization . You will not need to carry a set of binoculars on your hike . This camera is simply amazing . Very high quality pictures at the maximum zoom even without a tripod .
    • 106 4  I was able to run this camera through it's paces at my son's lacrosse tournament this weekend . I mostly used the sports mode to capture action shots of the games , and what shots they were . At the full 20X optical zoom the photos were clear with no motion blurr , many photos with the ball or player in mid air . The focus tracking mode is an excellent feature as it allowed me to select a player , follow them and automatically keep the frame in focus until I got the shot I was waiting for . I took 235 action photos and not one was out of focus . I used a Fujica AX - 3 35mm outfit for years but did not want the hastle of carrying around numerous lenses etc . . . This camera allows me to play in manual mode , and my wife to snap away in auto and both receive great results . My sunpack flash even works on the hot shoe if I need some extra umph in low light .
    • 107 4  I am by no means a photographer ! I picked this camera for the 20x zoom and optical image stabilizer . I have a Konica-Minolta with a 12x zoom and no stabilier and knew I wanted more for this year's vacation . It was my 25th anniversary / second honeymoon . A trip to Africa . We went on several safari's and this camera gave me the ability to point and shoot without a great deal of fiddling around . Although grainy at full zoom ( without a tripod ) I still took over 2500 pictures and at least 1500 or more turned out beautifully . The basics were easy to pick up and made the camera easy to use right away . Low light and night shots were pretty much a bust but I have to contribute at least part of that to my lack of general knowledge of trying to take pictures in those conditions . And , of course , being a man I must also admit to not reading the directions ! If any readers have tips , I would be interested - THANKS IN ADVANCE ! End result , I didn't miss a lion , giraffe , cheetah or elephant because of the camera . The bad shots were often my inability to hold the subject in frame at a high zoom level and of course , there were many moving targets ! All in all , this camera allowed me to have pictures that I will cherish the rest of my life ! Who knows , before the next big adventure I might even get someone to show me how to use it properly ! !
    • 108 4  This is our second Canon Powershot . The SX1 IS was terrific and after 25,000 saved images , the focusing gears were literally griding . ( The time spent taking photos in a desert sandstorm may have contributed ! ) The SX10 IS is terrific because - - it has low shutter lag time , excellent face recognition focusing , is solidly built and fits the hand well , 20X zoom , very effective image stabilization that allows frequent use of the long zoom in surprisingly low light , has 10 megapixel resolution and uses normal AAA batteries , We always use rechargables and get several hundred photos ( without flash usage ) between recharging . The swivel screen is a major aid in taking closeups of flowers , insects and small children . With 7 grandchildren and living in the beautiful Northwest , it rarely cools off !
    • 109 4  I am beyond pleased with my purchase . While I took a few Photography classes in college I'm by no means a professional and I feel as though this is the perfect camera for my needs ( higher quality family snapshots , travel pictures , etc ) . I do recommend taking a half hour or so to read through the users manual for a complete understanding of all the settings , but the camera is far from complicated . I am in awe of the stunning crisp images and amazing zoom . However , what has impressed me most is Canon's amazing technical and service support . My camera wasn't 48 hours old when the shutter was scratched . I had the camera around my neck with the lens cap off when I noticed that an 11 month old relative had put a pebble from the driveway in her mouth . When I rushed to make sure she didn't swallow it the camera grazed the ground , scratching it quite badly . Customer support was extremely helpful ( and sympathetic ) . I sent the camera to their service center and within a few days they e-mailed me to say that they were fixing at no charge and would return by FedEx to me . It is so rare to call a large company and find a friendly and helpful person who speaks English on the other end of the line . I will never buy anything but Canon again .
    • 110 4  The SX 10IS in not just your average camera , but a movie maker too . The lens on this camera is amazing . Equivalent to 300 mm in focal length , it's not removable from the camera body . This is great because you'll never contaminate the CCD in this gem . It has a well thought out selection of pre-sets , but still offers ease of manually configuring settings yourself . With the SD 16 gig Extreme III Card , ( the only one you should buy for this camera ) in good lighting , it can snap off 3.5 frames per second of action in continuous shoot mode . Canon's Digic II processor and Face recognition auto focus , make this camera well worth more than you'll ever pay for it . This camera is feature rich , well built , and has too many extras to mention here . Altho the lens will not accommodate filters , I managed to fit one on and found the camera takes much better photos with out it . I was recently surprised after taking hundreds of photos , and finding the next day had battery power for hundreds of more using standard AA batteries . Just behind the flip-up flash , is a hot shoe for a more powerful flash , if you think you'll need one . But I've found the flip-up flash adequate for anything within 40 feet in total darkness . The infra red focus assist in darkness is a priceless , well though of , feature . Normally the camera uses its brain to focus in light on the subject , But if it can't see the subject or object in the dark , the infra red kicks in and gets the job done . The software included with the camera is compatible with my Mac OS 10 , and Canon customer care is the best in the USA . I really don't think it's possible to find a better camera for the price . As each day passes I keep falling in love with how well this camera helps me share what I see with others .
    • 114 4  I typically shoot a Nikon D50 SLR , but for my recent trip to Hawaii I bought this camera so I wouldn't have to lug around any lenses . No camera bags or the like at Pearl Harbor so it's a pain to lug around extra lenses for the SLR but you want to have a nice long lens at the same time since Pearl Harbor really is an all-day visit . This camera solves the problem and then some . This allows for manual settings , as well as aperature and shutter priority that are typically only on SLR's . I was a bit skeptical if I would really like this camera since I'm used to SLR's - I love it ! Simply stated , my shots were fantastic ! I couldn't have done any better with my SLR ( and this maybe did a better job than that - yikes ) . The resolution is astounding - I got such tight shots at the Pro Bowl with it too and I was no more than 10 rows from the top of Aloha Stadium . People can't believe I actually got the shots I did with this camera - I almost can't even believe it ! My 52mm UV filter from my Nikon fit this nicely , but my 52mm circular polarizer ( made by the same company as the UV filter ) did not . It didn't matter - I got such beautiful shades of blue in the sky and water without it , though sometimes it is nice to have the creative control that the filter offers . At the Pacific Aviation Museum I was able to shoot crisp , clear photos indoors without using the flash or a tripod when I put it on the Tungsten setting - outstanding results that exactly captured the Museum's lighting . I still prefer my SLR for more formal portraits and macro work , but for nearly every other type of photo the SX10 IS will likely be the one I reach for first . I'm recommending it to everyone I know who's looking for a camera that's more advanced than a typical point and shoot , but who doesn't want to get into the SLR realm . An enthusiastic 5 stars and kudos to Canon ! Well done ! My suggestions for making the most out of this camera : - The rechargeable batteries promoted by the bunny with his drum work very well with this and last a good long time , even with moderate to heavy use . I have the 15 minute recharger that has a car adapter too , which is handy for people like me who travel a lot . Consider a second set of rechargeables to have ready at any time or at the very least keep 4 AA batteries on hand as a back up . Overall , don't go on the budget plan for your rechargeable batteries for this great camera - you'll get what you pay for . - If you want to keep your charger with your camera then don't buy a bag online - they probably won't have the capacity to hold both the camera and the charger unit . Go to a local retailer and pick one up there . - Get a 52mm UV filter , blower brush , lens cloth and cap keeper while you're at it . They should total no more than $25 and are well worth the small investment . - Consider picking up the laminated cheat sheet that an Amazon retailer offers . I found it by typing the camera's name under the books menu . It's about $15 with the shipping , but less cumbersome than the manual . If nothing else it helps you locate where in the manual to look for some of the more advanced settings .
    • 115 4  Much has been said in earlier reviews so I'll limit my review to subjective feedback . This is my 7th digital camera , including use of a Canon XSi . I've had limited shooting opportunities with this so far , but am VERY impressed with how capable it is . I've shot several shots now at the full 20x zoom and am very surprised by the high level of detail captured by this lens ( see sample photo of a shore bird on the beach ) . Video quality is likewise superb and is one reason that this is my take-everywhere camera . The fact that it has a hotshoe allowing you to add a pro-level flash ( e.g . 430EX ) adds to the versatility of this camera . Also appreciated is the swivel LCD . This is a carry-over from older models . Few cameras offer this now . For most shooting , I prefer the optical viewfinder , but you'll be surprised how many uses you find for an LCD like this . Is this camera for you ? That all depends on what you'll do with the camera . The zoom feature ( including wide angle ) , combined with excellent image quality , is really what pushes this camera over the top for me . There is very little you cannot do with this camera . The downside is that it is not a pocketable camera . It is fairly large and heavy . But if you don't mind the bulk , the camera will reward you with some great shots and video . It is worth a serious look .
    • 117 4  So far most of my photos have been of the birds in our backyard , and the quality has great . The zoom gives me the close up shots I've wanted for a long time . I'm still becoming familiar with all the settings , but so far they have been easy to understand . I'll be going to London this spring and I'm really looking forward to bring this camera with me . I would recommend this to anyone looking for the features of an SLR , but the ease of a point and shot .
    • 122 4  I researched for a camera for a while and ended up buying this sx10 is and have no regrets . Takes very good pictures and is fairly easy to use . I took a picture from my couch with the zoom pointing through my front door and storm door at a bird sitting on a tree branch and it looked like I was outside standing next to it . The only down fall is the owners manual , it doesnt explain things very well .
    • 124 4  It is awesome ! ! ! All I can say is zoom zoom baby . You can get any picture anywhere no matter how far . It is amazing . The zoom works really well and with the stability thing I think the pictures come out great for its class . This is no DSLR don't think it is . But for its class this is worth it . You also can get amazing close up group shots with the 28mm wide angle built in . All I can say is I will never ever buy a camera without that wide angle again . It is perfect . It is a bit bulky but worth it for the crispy zoomed pictures you get . And you get use to the bulk and the grip and I have small hands so no problem . It is probably bigger than you are use to , this is not ELPH . But with the 20x . . . It runs on double AA's but if you get some nice rechargeable they should last you long while . I was on a recent trip in Peru and used some sanyo batteries and they lasted for 3 days of continuous picture taking . the one annoying thing is no lens cap tether ! but you can buy one for a buck and do that yourself . one of the best things is the flip out LCD it helps you take really hard to angle shots . I found the wheel a little annoying and I had to use the book a lot when I was trying to figure other controls in the beginning , but if you want to just up and go with the camera you use the auto functions and get great pictures . So picture takers who want ZOOM take this camera and go ! ! ! ! !
    • 125 4  Have not had this camera very long but know that I will like it . Love the zoom lens . Photos with the tele-converter are clearer than with a digital zoom , so the actual length of lens available is more than 560mm . Clips in movie mode have been clear and of good quality ( 30fps ) . It more difficult to set the ' scene ' options than on other canon cameras , but think this will get easier with practice . At the widest angle of the lens ( 28mm ) the lens hood gets into the picture so it has to be removed before shooting .
    • 129 4  I am very happy with this camera . I was looking to replace / upgrade my Canon SD600 and significantly increase the zooming capability without getting back into the SLR realm . My current photography requirements call for a flexible point & shoot camera , and I did not want the bulk of another SLR system . This camera fulfills my needs perfectly . Although it's too large to fit in my pocket , the SLR-like capabilities it comes with make up for the larger form factor . Several friends who are new digital SLR owners were all impressed with the SX10 ' s zoom range . I have shot almost 900 pictures in the four weeks I've had the SX10 , but am still learning many of its controls and capabilities . I've discarded about 5% of the shot I've taken due mainly to poor exposure or focus , but have learned how to aim the focusing points and exposure metering properly to eliminate those problems . My previous cameras were : Nikon FM2 , Canon RebelG ( 35mm ) , Canon A70 , Canon A75 , and Canon SD600 . The SX10 reminds me of the RebelG in terms of flexibility and ease of use . I like Canon's use of AA batteries and SDHC memory cards , both of which are inexpensive and readily available . I was able to get a pair of Sandisk 8gb Extreme II and 3 Sandisk 4gb Extreme III SDHC cards for under $25 each during Black Friday sales , which should be more than sufficient for any future trips I take . I would strongly recommend this camera to anyone looking for a feature-packed point & shoot that is willing to sacrifice camera size for capability .
    • 130 4  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 .
    • 134 4  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 .
    • 136 4  Before purchasing the Canon SX10IS I did about three months of looking over reviews , going in stores to actually hold different cameras , and constantly changing my mind from Canon to Sony to Panasonic and back again . As you know there are plenty of diehard Canon and Sony lovers that have reviewed their particular purchase . I have not been brand loyal when it comes to digital cameras . I have had mostly Sony's , a few Canon's and some lower end Kodak's . So when I finally made my decision to push that order button on the Canon SX10IS it was because I felt it was the best camera for me . I was in a heated internal battle between the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 and the Canon PowerShot SX10IS . Both cameras have great ratings and reviews on Amazon and other electronic sites . One small thing to others was a big thing to me , the battery situation . I prefer to be able to use AA batteries over having to buy Sony batteries . Just for the ease of AA being handy no matter where I go . The other selling points for me were the flip LCD screen and the hot shoe feature for future use if I decide to get serious with my photos . I have waited to post my review because I wanted to use the Canon a while before giving my final thoughts . I am by no means a top tier photo person and I do not know half of what my Canon will actually do ( yet , still reading the manual as needed ) . However , I can honestly say the pictures are flat out beautiful that I have been taking . The 20X zoom is far more than enough for all my needs . The pictures I was taking so impressed the folks sitting next to me at a recent concert that they wrote down the model of the Canon so they could go home and order it from Amazon too ! We were sitting in the middle of the arena and my shots of the singers are like I was in the third row . Not only are the pictures great because you can actually see who is on stage ( unlike some of my previous camera's photos due to low zoom capability ) , but they are also so crisp . A major concern of mine prior to buying my camera was that there are not too many reviews that talk about concert photos . I give an A + + + on this bad boy when it comes to concerts . The Canon SX10IS is a tad heavier than the Sony DSC-H50 , but after holding both I liked the little extra weight . When we are getting to this level of point and shoot cameras , I liked the feel of holding something with a little more substance to it . I hope this review helps you make a decision . On a side note , the shipping from Amazon was wonderful . My camera arrived two days earlier than expected !
    • 137 4  I bought this camera as an upgrade from my 3 - 1 / 2 year old Panasonic 5MP 12X zoom . The main reason I chose this cannon over the Panasonic FZ - 28 is that it uses cheaper more widely available AA battery's which I have a box full of rechargeables and also uses SD & SDHC memory cards . Battery life is not an issue I use 4 AA NiMH rechargeable battery's and they last quite well . I have not yet reached the limit they have not gone dead while shooting yet , over 200 pix on several occasions and a lot of shorter uses where I shoot 20 - 30 pix throw it back in the case and get it out later for more shots . I'm not sure what the limit is but it has lasted all day with a lot of turned on time w / LCD on and over 200 pix . Pro : Sunny outdoor shots are sharp and have great color , 20X zoom , image stabilization is adequate , battery life . Con : The camera has a lot of settings and adjustments , in my opinion its more complicated than it needs to be . The preset dial has a lot of settings but does not have an indoor light setting , my Panasonic had setting for incandescent and florescent lighting which made it simple . I get a lot of blurred shots with the Cannon SX10 indoors or in low light conditions even with its night shot setting . Of course I have a more difficult learning curve with the SX - 10 over the Panasonic and I hope that once I master the controls I'll have better results . Given the same situation / options I would buy the SX - 10 camera again . However I see that Panasonic has just released new models and I would have to have a better look at their new FZ - 35 offering . My expertise level is about 7 - 8 out of ten , better than most but not professional .
    • 139 4  I purchased this camera after a great deal of research . The camera ( if you take the time to read the manual ) is user friendly , and takes great pictures . I especially like the image stabilization , and the viewfinder outlining the faces for proper alignment . Though a bit heavier than some of the competition , the body is solid and I believe it will last .
    • 144 4  I got this camera from Amazon about a week ago . Aside from using a simple cheap point and shoot camera , I'm new to photography . I bought this camera because I wants something that took video and pictures . This camera takes very good pictures and very good video ( NOT HD ) . I'm new and I am amazed at some of the shots I can get with this camera . I now look for shot as I drive and go out to take nature photos . I will say that you need to read the manual . Which I did right after getting the camera . There is a lot to learn with this camera . It can be as point and shoot or as manual as you want it . My dad liked my camera so much that he bought a camera based solely on messing around with mine . This is a very good camera . Check out some of the photos I uploaded for this camera . There are some aspects of the camera though that I can see that aren't the best . The higher ISOs gets grainy , I wish it was a little faster , like to have a better flash , and I wish there was a better way to manually focus . The dial wheel that some people complain about isn't that bad as far as I can say . I haven't had that much of a problem using it . All in all this is a veery good camera .
    • 145 4  It was really hard to choose between this camera and a more expensive DSLR . . . . and all that entails . . . but I wish i'd made the jump . . . But that's just my personal take . . . This is without doubt a great camera , with features galore for the enthusiast . Or those willing to become one . . . : ) The main reason for my purchase , beside the manual controls . . . is the great swiveling LCD . . . once you've used one you don't want go back ( sort of like dial-up vs cable : ) And there's that big zoom lens . . . Most folks will find the wide angle more useful than extreme zoom , but the long zoom is fun to play with . It's an excellent camera . . . you just have to learn how take advantage of it's strength's and you will experience a learning curve . . . it's one you will HAVE to play with , read the user guide , refer to frequently . . . and then perhaps love to play with ; ) It is a a great feature-packed , photography enthusiast imaging tool that produces excellent images , and it FEELS like a real camera , solidly built The features and price points sort of blur when you can get a camera like this with so many features and control options versus a DSLR . . . with a better sensor . . . that is a consideration , indeed . . . $ otherwise , it's a good buy IMHO ! I think the SX10 offers an outstanding value for photographers that want extended control over the camera , and are willing to put some time and effort learning how to do so . . . without breaking the bank . . . but there's that darn DSLR looming . . . . Bottom line , I love this camera , not everyone will , it loves to have it's buttons pushed , just so you know where YOU are . . . or where to lead you . . And you must read / refer to the manual It's definitely not a point & shoot except on A
    • 147 4  This purchase was an impulse buy . I saw 20X zoom and decided I wanted it . I think I made a great choice . I've had this camera for about 5 - 6 months now . I think I've learned a lot from this camera , and about photography in general . The picture quality is great in good light , and having 20x zoom is very useful . I noticed noise at ISO 200 in decent light , although that was viewing at 100% There are a lot of settings in the menus , but the nice thing is that you can make your own menu . I have only the functions that I use often , which is a great time saver . The swivel LCD is awesome . I can take low and high shots w / out having to be at eye level w / the camera . I noticed that the lens cap tends to get stuck . This causes the cap to fall off easy . All you need to fiddle w / the ring on the inside of the cap to make it circular ( when it's stuck , it would be oval ) . I don't like the wheel in the back that much . There's no tactile feedback , and moving it too slowly sometimes doesn't seem to register when using it in manual focus . Also , be careful if you have the lens hood on backwards before turning off the camera . If you're holding the camera like you would a DSLR , you may pinch your fingers , or prevent the lens from withdrawing all the way ( which may ruin the lens motor ) . Although this is a great camera , I'm considering getting a DSLR for a few reasons : 1 ) Low light performance is a lot better 2 ) Changing the aperture changes depth of field . . . doesn't really work in this camera 3 ) Faster continuous burst ( didn't think it was important at first ) 4 ) Faster more reliable autofocus 5 ) Better manual focus ( 100% zoom in live view and focus ring on lens is probably ( hopefully ) better than the wheel on the SX10 IS . 6 ) More durable build I'm still planning on keeping this camera though , as it is a small , lightweight camera that I can carry around w / me at all times that also has a great range lens . The reviews say that this camera is one of the best super zooms out there , and although I don't have any other camera to compare it to , I still have to agree . Chris
    • 148 4  I recently bought this Cannon digital camera and I love it . I had planned on purchasing this , but Consumers Report convinced me because of their high recommendation . I find it easy to use with fingertip controls . I've used the zoom alot and photos are really , really good . I highly recommend this product .
    • 151 4  I am very happy with this versatile camera . I was thinking about buying a camcorder and a still camera but this camera meets all my needs . The audio is good even though you cannot connect an external microphone . Battery life is good , zoom range is good , picture quality is very good with auto focus and auto exposure . I like the panorama feature that allows me to stitch multiple shots together . This camera is a great value .
    • 152 4  I have had the S1 & S2 . This is a worthy upgrade . I did not think they would be able to imrpve the 10X optical zoom on the S1 without stepping up into a SLR model . . . then they came out with the 12X optical ( S2 & S3 ) . I also love the wide angle lens . I can take a picture of a group of people in a living room without stepping way back ! As far as I am conerned this is the best camera you can get without going to SLR . The only thing I am bummed about is the size . It still is the same size ( roughly ) as the S1 , S2 , S3 . I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too . How else can they pack a powerful lens in a small package . If you want a pocket point and shoot , this is not the one .
    • 153 4  This difficult to find camera is the perfect digital high-end camera for both a beginner and camera professional . It is a point-and-shoot for the beginner but allows the user to learn by overriding any automatic function and practicing till the desired pictures can be captured . I do not yet have an external flash , but the built-in flash works well . The camera has a built-in viewfinder ; however the digital mini-screen on this camera is unique and more usable than on other cameras I looked at . The unique swivel feature allows for use at any angle to capture the expected picture . I am still learning about the features of this camera including the excellent zoom capability but I am extremely please with the relatively compact size and features the camera possesses .
    • 155 4  Although I own several Nikon SLR digital cameras along with numerous lenses , I decided to try out the Canon SX10IS for a recent trip in stead of logging all those heavy lenses along . I was not disappointed . When by chance I came upon a large crowd of parrots devouring tree blossoms in San Francisco , I was able to capture the phenomenon with this camera hand held . Several other professional photographers present expressed envy , since they were crouched in various contortions with their 18 - inch lenses on tripods , only to get the same results I did . The numerous direct-control features on this camera were also a welcome change from the command menu layers one normally will have to content with on most equipment of this type . But many of the controls and menu items are quite confusing , requiring extensive reading of the manual . In other words , they require a good deal of preparation . They are not naturally logical . Even so , this is a most capable camera and well worth the price .
    • 162 4  Even though is not a Reflex camera it behaves pretty well , if you like photography and want to take it to a new level , but you are not an expert or you are afraid to try a pro camera , this one is for you . Behaving still like a compact camera it has some of the goodies you find on a big guy , the lenses let you even take super macro pictures ( to put the camera as close as you can , even less than 10cm to obtain amazing results ) . You can attach an extra flash , even a remote controllable one , so that you can experiment with image results . The only drawbacks are its weigth , and the use of batteries , but considering the size of the lenses weight is almost impossible to overcome .
    • 165 4  Great purchase ! For those looking to get into photography and don't know a whole lot , like myself , this is a great gateway camera . At the very least , it improves your regularly taken picture's quality . Can't say enough about this camera .
    • 169 4  Wonderful , amazing product . Superb results . You can't go wrong with this one.I am no professional , but having used a canon digital box camera earlier , this is a big switch & makes you relize that you have been living a stone age life so far . The zoom is excellent . There are few places you won't need to travel to view them , coz ' this powerful zoom will bring those things much closer to you . Even night results are great , although if shooting with subjects in front , you have to be cautious of the distance as too close or too far can make or break a great picture . The only downside is the battery pack , which you need to change often . For example during our last vacation with a whole day road trip planned which included sight seeing , the batteries hardly lasted us for the whole day & if you are making movies , then it'll eat it up even faster . I would strongly suggest to carry extra batteries at all times . If canon can replace this for a lithium battery pack , then that'll make this unit flawless . On the whole i'll still give it 2 thumbs up & definitely suggest to others to buy .
    • 172 4  Very nice camera . . . This is the best PS camera I have used so far . Pros : Very good picture quality . Picture quality is still amazing when fully zoomed . Does very well with moving objects . I have not had a single picture with Red Eye yet . Cons : No camera bag ! Lens cap is a snap on that isnt connected to the camera making it very easy to lose . Camera sometimes takes a little bit too long to focus and snap shots . Overall I feel this was a great buy and would buy it again in a second . As stated above , the picture qaulity is amazing and must be printed to see . If you dont want to break into the DSLR catagory then this is a very nice alternative at the top of the Point and Shot lines .
    • 173 4  I just love this camera . . . EXcellent piece ! tremendous capturing and processing speed , and the 20x optical zoom adds the cherry on top ! I just have one small suggestion for this one . . . . they should make some arrangement for hanging the lense cover to the camera itself . . . : ) all and all its an amazing camera !
    • 174 4  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 !
    • 175 4  This class of camera came about in order to satisfy the dreams of those who would have a digital SLR . . . IF they could afford it and the lenses they'd like . The image quality of the Canon SX10IS is pretty good but you always give up some image quality to gain such a large zoom range so there is a small bit of chromatic aberration , purple fringing , in the extreme zoom ranges . The one thing that I do miss is a remote shutter release , I like to do night photography . The 2 second self-timer setting helps a bit to overcome this oversight . Also the operating temperature range is a bit limited , 32 degrees F . Anyone who likes to take winter photos may have to keep the camera under cover , against their bodies when not shooting . I haven't tried it in below freezing temperatures yet so I don't know the practical limitations as yet . If even this price range is too much I'd strongly suggest the Fujifilm Finepix S1000fd at less then half the price . It has most of the features though less zoom and no external flash hotshoe . I bought the Fuji as an early Christmas present for my girlfriend and she's quite enjoying it . March 9 , 2009 UPDATE : This has been a very good consumer camera but there are two things that bug me about it so far . The first is that the Command Dial ( I think that's what they call it ) is not very responsive at all . You'll see other people complain about it as well . If you are using the dial to make exposure adjustments or if you are selecting Scene settings then jerk the dial in 1 / 4 turn increments . Simply using a smooth dialing motion won't work . Secondly , it really sucks for manually focusing ! It is really hard to manually focus this camera . * so sad * Secondly . . . because this is a consumer level camera the CCD sensor , the chip that senses the light in place of film , is a smaller sensor then pro or semi-pro cameras . This has the very sad side effect of creating digital noise . This is the equivalent of higher ASA / ISO film having more grain and in some ways is to be expected BUT if you can afford one of the higher priced DSLR cameras then I'd go for that as the larger sensors have less digital noise . If you want to get a little better image out of this smaller sensor try using the dust and scratch removal settings in your photo editing software . Try a 2 pixel setting first . Overall it is still a great camera . If you move up to a DSLR later then keep it as a backup .
    • 176 4  This is a wonderful camera . I wanted to start learning more about photography with a camera that was better than just a little point and shoot . It takes gorgeous pictures even on just Auto . I took our family Christmas pictures in our back yard with a tripod on the manual setting and they turned out looking professional . Definitely a good buy .
    • 178 4  I have been using the SX10IS for over a month . I will only echo the positive reviews already posted . I'm still in the process of exploring and expermenting with the special features of this camera . The result has been some very excellent and beautiful prints . The only two negitive things that I find annoying , is the unattached lens cap and the instruction manual . Other reviews mentioned the lens cap problem . I wish there was a better way have this cap less likely to be misplaced . The manual presents a good amount of information in a very compact booklet . After several days of using this manual it broke apart into several loose pages . I do not have any negitive comments for the camera . I am very happy with the features and operation of this product . I would recomment this camera to anybody that wants the ease of use of a point-and-shoot model and the many features that are available to you for photographic creativity .
    • 180 4  Great megazoom camera . One lens does everything I want with the built-in stabilization . Incredible detail at long distances . Good range of automatic settings . Feels solid to hold but numerous buttons on the body makes it easy to make wrong selection . Some button labels are hard to see . Included software does not work with Windows XP ( x64 ) . AA battery power makes it easy to find and use inexpensive alkaline or rechargeable NiMH batteries .
    • 187 4  I purchased a SX10IS through Amazon - process and delivery was perfect . Wanting an advanced Point-and-Shoot for wildlife and wanting to avoid interchangeable lenses , I researched this camera thoroughly . It looks as though Canon has tried to overcome the shortcomings of the SX10 with changes in the SX20 and SX1 but went backwards in image quality and viewfinder definition . I needed wins in both these areas so I went with the older SX10 . There must be a reason that they keep it in the lineup even after its replacements have been brought to market . Being my first serious digital camera , and coming from a film SLR background , I find I use the viewfinder as much as the LCD . I will grow into the LCD use I am sure . I was concerned by the reports that this camera does not take good pictures . I find it is very sharp right out of the box . It can not stretch the envelope with low light , way out zoom , ultra slow shutter speeds , but within these limitations I have been producing some very credible pictures after only a few days . They will only get better as I learn about this tool and get a tripod . I have not tried the video feature yet . Rigth out of the box , I set this SX10 up with a Lensmate filter converter , a 58mm protective filter , Eneloop recharge AA batts , 8 gig SD card and a LCD screen protective sheet . All set for a walk in the woods or shots into my backyard . I am very satisfied with my decision .
    • 188 4  I tried out way too many cameras before I finally found this one , and it is definitely The One . The picture quality is amazing , and crisp , the colors are very vivid . I love the display screen that I can turn around to keep closed when my camera is in my bag to avoid getting scratches on it , and the way the screen flips over has been really useful in taking pictures of yourself grouped up with friends when no one else is there to do so , instead of just guessing if your all in the frame you can actually see it . The self timer and face self timer function lets you take up to 10 pictures and instantly recognizes your face and has let me take incredible pictures on top of mountains and in remote areas on my travels in Turkey and Europe . You can just set up the camera and when you get into range look straight at it and it begins taking pictures clicking away 10 times , or less depending on your setting . You can keep the volume up so you can hear when its taking a picture or keep it low if you are indoors and don't want the sound to be heard . This is an incredibly useful function . The panoramic assist function and the zoom browser stitch software have let me put together incredibly stunning views of entire cities on my journey that I have been able to take from high locations by hand without they use of a tripod . The zoom on this thing is incredible . If you are thinking , do I really need 20x zoom ? I was thinking the same thing , but traveling around when I am inside a building with huge domes and high ceilings the zoom lets me stand in one place and get close up to all the incredible details and capture them perfectly , the zoom is incredible , and allows you to shoot wide shots or get very close up to the tiny details you wouldn't even be able to see otherwise . I was able to take pictures of the moon with the super zoom and without a tripod , and of sunrises and scenes as well as indoor shots of details inside of high domes and all have come out stunning with little effort from me . The video function on this camera is also very good and has allowed me to get some great videos of interiors of buildings and outdoors too . The wide angle lens is incredible for capturing ALOT of detail a big scene or the large facade of a building . This camera has great features and great picture quality and is incredibly easy to use , even for the beginner and has enough flexibility that you can work with the manual controls if you want to be more creative . criticisms : The lowlight pictures could be better , they do tend to get grainy in extreme lowlight so you have to watch the iso , I guess this is what the manual settings are for so if you are good with that sort of thing you can probably change it around to get much better results . I haven't been able to master the settings yet but I havent had to I have been getting great pics on the go throughout . My other criticism would be that sometimes you have to watch what batteries you buy because even if your batteries are fully charged they wont be recognized by the camera . I had some trouble because the camera would not recognize my rechargeable energizer batteries which I bought with a charger for my travels so the whole thing went to waste and I had to keep buying duracell batteries wherever I went . It does recognize duracell and a few other types though , you can google it to see the best type . As long as you have the right kind of battery on had it lasts for awhile without giving you trouble but just beware of investing too much in a battery and charger that wont work for this camera . neither of these are fatal flaws though . This camera fits great in my hands and the pictures are pure magic . Take a look at the ones I uploaded and judge for yourself . I would highly recommend this camera and completely love it , I've finally found what I've been looking for .
    • 191 4  After using this camera for nearly a week , and taking close to 200 photos , I'm satisfied . My zoom lens works just fine , I'm getting use to the controls and reading the manual . And I've taken some incredible shots . I'll be sharing some on this site soon . If you want to move beyond simple and inferior pictures , this camera is the right one . Yes , I've had problems with the lens cap , but that can be solved by buying an attachment for it . Securing it onto the lens is best done by just holding one end as you snap it back on ; squeezing both ends of the cap creates a difficult time of trying to get it to stay on right . My lowlight handheld results have come out just fine , even without a flash at 800 ISO . Of course I've always known that it means steadying yourself . I've owned several Nikon SLRs in the past , so the weight isn't an issue either . Only if one is only use to carrying nothing but compact digitals . I'm keeping it and can't wait to see continued superb results . But you have to study the manual , as with any advanced equipment .
    • 193 4  I purchased this camera in Jan . , 2009 . Takes great outdoor photos ( haven't used very much indoors ) . Upgraded from the Canon S3 . I think the S3 takes better photos and is more user friendly for the every day , non-professional photographer . I've had problems with blurry and grainy pics , especially if anything slightly moves . I feel as though this may be from a wrong setting . I still love this camera ! Have had for 8 months and still trying to learn the features . I purchased the step-ring and UV filter to protect the lens , 2 sets of ( 4 ) AA rechargeable batteries . One set of batteries takes about 400 - 600 photos ( without flash ) . I also purchased Bert's photo cheat sheet and the Short Course in Canon Powershot SX10 IS Photography book . I take a lot of cemetery headstone photos and it works great ! Still learning !

  • 029 4  I purchased this camera to use on a visit to a game reserve in South Africa . This device is far more than a camera for party pics . A serious photographer would aim higher , though you can capture serious images with the SX10IS . Between those boundaries , I found the convenience , flexibility , and image quality of this camera to be a marvelous combination . At $400 US retail , what a value ! I enjoyed the balance and feel of the camera in my hand . The zoom made full frame shots a breeze . The video feature is easy to use , and the image is of very good quality . I took two 8 gig cards . In four days , I almost filled one . I bought a brick of batteries , but changed batteries once . The image stabilization works very well . On the long zooms I used a monopod for additional stability . If you want to shoot five or ten frames per second , spend four times as much . If you're happy to snap every 1.4 seconds , save your money . The microphones work well . They do pick up the sound of the zoom lens operation . I'm gifting one of these cameras to a friend . I find I've taken more pictures in the last month than I have the past year . This camera is great FUN .

    • 074 4  I love this camera . My previous was a Canon S1 IS and I loved that one also . The images with the SX10 IS are fantastic . I love the 20x zoom capability and with the 10 mega pixels is a great improvement over the 3.1 on the previous camera . I love the swivel LCD screen and use it quite often . I personally like the bulk of this camera - I have a real problem with the thin pocket size cameras being able to handle them properly . It will take me a while to become proficient with all the new features on this camera as it would with any new camera with so many extra features . For someone with limited financial resources and who simply wants to take snapshots , there would be better choices but if you are wanting to take more than simple snapshots and have the resources available , you won't find a better camera with tremendous features and value for the money . I couldn't want any other camera as much as I love this one . Only one small complaint - the digital connection cover is awkward to open and awkward to insert the cable to connect the camera to the computer . Fantastic images .
      • 046 4  I own the S3 and really wanted the 20x zoom . I so wanted to love this camera and the features are nice and the zoom is awesome . BUT , I shoot 90% of my pics as action such as swim meets , cross country , triathlons etc . I was soooo disappointed in the lag in the camera . I took it to my son's swim meet and couldn't even get a shot off before he entered the water . My S3 I can get about 2 - 3 pictures between the start and him entering the water . I tried sports mode , manual with high ISO and nothing made a difference . So it is going back to the store I am afraid .
      • 092 4  I have owned 3 Sony Cybershots H1 , H5 and H9 prior to my purchase of my Canon today . I was about to purchase the new H50 and decided that the quality , the functions , extra shooting modes and 20x zoom were the clinching factors in my switch.I have only shot about 100 pictures i am seriously happy as a novice photographer . Incidentally the lens cap can be attached to the neck strap .
      • 120 4  I have been carrying around two cameras since each one had its strengths and wanted to be down to one camera that did it all . After careful study I picked up the SX10 IS and can't be more happy . It is fast and has image stabilization so it can replace my Canon A710 IS in most cases , unless small camera size is important . It is 10MP , has a 20X zoom , fast flash recycle times and a nice sunset mode , so it replaces my older Nikon Coolpix 8700 and exceeds its specs . Last evening I went to a concert and by setting the ISO3200 Scene mode I was able to get usable photos without flash from the back of the room at full zoom . Yes , the colors were sometimes washed out and the size was down to 1600x1200 , but faces came out well and the photos looked fairly good . This camera keeps surprising me and I am very happy to have it .

    • 084 4  I already own a Canon S3 and bought this camera as an upgrade in focal length . I like to shoot nature photography . I took the new camera to Monte Vista , CO to shoot the sandhill cranes that stop over on their migration north . I shot about 1000 pictures and if I got 20 in focus it was good . Nothing in the frame is in focus in most pictures . Not the mountains , not the trees , not the birds . I read the instruction book cover to cover , studied the settings , made changes . After 3 days of shooting I came home very disappointed , packed up the camera and returned it . If you are looking for the added focal length forget it . The photos are uniformly soft which I guess is good for something , but not for me .
      • 036 4  This camera is awesome . This was an early christmas present from my boyfriend . I took it to the Nebraska vs . Oklahoma football game . Our seats were in the North endzone and I was able to get a clear picture of midfield during the cointoss and of Coach Pellini . I was also able to get some pretty good action shots with the sports setting . That's really the only thing I have used the camera for at this moment . If you are looking for a camera that takes really good sports photos or any photos , I would recommend this camera . Once I figure out how to post a couple of pics with this post , I'll post some .
      • 068 4  I've only had this camera a short time , haven't even had time to play with it beyond the basic functions , but already am thrilled with it . Still shots of birds on the far side of the back yard are amazingly clear and focused . The most amazing is the close-ups , both still and video . After taking many pictures of a flower spider , and cropping and enlarging some , I saw incredible details that I hadn't noticed , even with my face 6 inches away from the real thing ! The translucence of the skeleton , copper-colored markings , hairs on the legs . . . If a camera can get me this excited about a spider , it's got to be good !
      • 105 4  I have a simple Cannon point and shoot which I love but I was searching for something beyond that . I found this Digital SLR and once I received it , I knew I made the right choice . It has all the niceties of point and shoot with the added bonus of facial recognition , image stabilization , serious zoom in capabilities and a rotating review screen . Basically , it's perfect for the weekend photographer or someone who's just getting into photography . The picture quality is crisp and sharp with easy to use features . I didn't even read the owners manual and I had no problems getting everything set up .

    • 142 4  if you want a camera thats not too big and not too small then get this one . it is the BEST ever ! it takes out-of-this-world pictures and high quality videos . this camera can meet all of your photography needs . it even takes great pictures at night . it may be a little on the pricey side , but it is well worth it . trust me and just get it .
      • 185 4  This is a good camera . I am a forensic scientist and have to take photos for a lot of my work . Overall I am pleased . It has a little trouble capturing the focus under lower light conditions . The software is not great , but if you learn its quirks , it get the job done ( some menus are concealed - only accessible by pressing an obscure series of buttons - it you do not have the secret sequence you won't find the menus ) . The manual is really really bad - Example : Hmmm , how do I operate the self timer ? OK , thats in the index - go to the page - it tells you it can be operated in several fashions - BUT DOES NOT TELL YOU HOW TO ACTUALLY DO IT ! Frustrating on an otherwise good camera

    • 168 4  Although the flash did not work on the camera , I did return it and exchanged it for another - no problem ! The camera has met and exceeded my expectations ! On of my primary drivers in choosing this camera was the 20X zoom - it is absolutely wonderful . The photos are crisp and the settings are many - haven't explored them all yet . The camera is somewhat heavier than I'm used to so I do have to steady my hand in taking shots . I would highly recommend it to others , especially those interested in the zoom feature .
      • 128 4  This Canon camera is awesome . I wanted to take a set up from the 5MP Sony Cybershot I used for years . Having 10 MP and 20X Optical with this Canon makes a world of difference . It's great having the ability to tilt the viewing screen . I've recommended this camera to all my family and friends .

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