Canon PowerShot SX10 IS: Review

Posted to Digital Cameras 2009-07-25

Canon PowerShot SX10 IS Review:

If you are a beginner trying to get into professional photography, the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS works as a great entry-level camera. It is loaded with some of the powerful features and capabilities that are included with top-market digital cameras. While it lacks HD and raw format support (surprisingly), this model takes speedy snapshots with a 20x mega zoom and boasts superb battery life. Overall, it's a great alternative for professionals who need a quick shot, or for beginners looking to become professional photographers.

The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS measures 4.9 x 3.5 x 3.4 inches and weighs 1.2 pounds- obviously a compact but "heavy" camera. This ultra-portability makes the camera great for the semi-advanced hobbyist or beginner in professional photography. While the video-shooting capabilities are hardly worth mentioning, still-shots are great with this model. This 10-megapixel camera features an ISO range of 1600 (up to 3200 for 2MP) and a focal length of 5mm-100mm on an optical zoom reaching 20x. Surprisingly, it was priced appropriately and certainly performs well for the avid hobbyist.

Rating:

4.6 out of 5

Quality

The picture quality of this camera is excellent. The DIGIC 4 Image Processor provides automatic face detection and image correction, meaning that your pictures will turn out crisp and clear every time. Hand not steady? No problem. The advanced optical stabilizer prevents blurry images, which is great for snapshots that feature moving parts. There is no need to worry about fragmented pictures, because the improved image processor ensures that every picture meets the quality expected in a 10-megapixel resolution. Even pictures taken at the farthest zoom (20x) are as perfect as those shot close up. Video recording does not boast the same impressive quality (no HD support), but this camera provides extraordinary photograph quality.

Features

Many consumers who have bought this camera are generally impressed about all the features except for the lack of HD and raw format support. Competing models on the market offer full-HD video recording in addition to the impressive still image quality that comes along with it. While that may sound like it downplays this camera, we must note the impressive features that counterbalance that negative. The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS camera is very speedy with snapshots, sometimes even beating competing cameras by far. The adjustable 2.5" color LCD (16:9 ratio) screen may seem sluggish at start-up, but all that matters in a camera of this caliber is the picture speed and quality. The PowerShot SX10 IS has one USB port, one composite video/audio output and one SD memory card slot. It processes images very quickly, even automatically enhancing images, thanks to the improved DIGIC 4 Image Processor. It includes optimized face detection and even a self-timer. The ISO is also automatic, with a range of 80-1600. As mentioned before, the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS features video recording but does not support HD modes. It does have the ability to shoot stills and video simultaneously, however.

Summary

What sets this camera apart from others is that it takes excellent pictures at a reasonable price. The camera is fairly compact, which is great for the on-the-go hobbyist or beginner professional. It also works as a nice backup camera if your primary model is out of order. While it lacks features of similarly-priced models, it is still impressive with 10-megapixels and 20x zoom. If you prefer excellent quality and don't need HD support, then the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS might be for you.

Pros

Compact and great for on-the-go photography
DIGIC 4 Image Processor with automatic face detection and image stabilization
10-megapixels with 20x optical zoom (ISO1600) for quick and crisp pictures
Features USB and composite ports plus SD memory card support

Cons

Lacks HD and RAW format support and features of similarly-priced cameras