Canon PowerShot SX1 IS - Expert Reviews

Review summary: The Canon Powershot SX1 is one of two high-end ultra-zooms that Canon released last year. Both feature a 20X optical zoom lens with image stabilization and a sensor with 10 megapixels of resolution. While there are several subtle differences between ...

Pros: Accurate image colors with custom WB, Low optical distortion except at wide-angle, Reliable focus system, Excellent 0cm macro mode, Very fast continuous drive for an ultra-zoom, Quite responsive, Good LCD visibility, Solid build quality, Good battery ...

Cons: Loss of details even at low ISO, Nearly useless ISO 800 and 1600, Limited dynamic range, Poor automatic white-balance, High chromatic aberrations, 1s Shutter-speed limit in manual mode, Slow flash recharge cycle time, Poor resolution EVF, Pricey

Review summary: It would be tough to find a superzoom camera with more features than Canon's 10-megapixel PowerShot SX1 IS ($599.99 list), which offers terrific image quality, a powerful 20X optical zoom, and the ability to capture (and easily export) full HD video. ...

Pros: Terrific image quality. 20X optical zoom. Fast zooming and focusing. Captures HD video with stereo audio. Can take still shots while recording video. Comfortable manual controls. Widescreen LCD. HDMI-out

Cons: Pricey. Small screen. Electronic viewfinder ; Watch the PowerShot SX1 IS in action

Verdict: We have some minor gripes with the Canon PowerShot SX1including its high pricebut it's one of the best superzoom cameras you can buy.

Review summary: So there you have the main differences between the $399 PowerShot SX10 and the $599 PowerShot SX1. You might have noticed that 1) the SX1 costs $200 more and 2) the SX1 is actually worse than the SX10 in a few areas.

Verdict: So there you have the main differences between the $399 PowerShot SX10 and the $599 PowerShot SX1. You might have noticed that 1) the SX1 costs $200 more and 2) the SX1 is actually worse than the SX10 in a few areas

Award: Editor's Choice!

Review summary: The SX1 IS is really the ultimate bridge between a digital still and digital video camera. If you can bear to part with the cash, you won't be disappointed with the superb HD-video and image quality.

Pros: Great image quality; full-HD video recording; 20x optical zoom; dSLR feature set

Cons: No external microphone input

Verdict: Though the SX1 IS may look similar to the SX10 IS when you place them side by side, don't be fooled--this is a distinctly different camera on the inside

Review summary: The 10-megapixel PowerShot SX1 IS superzoom is one of the best cameras in its class, providing similar performance to a digital SLR, plus a 20x zoom lens and HD video, which dSLRs can't provide. Some irritating design quirks are compensated for by ...

Pros: Relatively fast ; good hi-def video ; raw file support

Cons: Large ; quirky interface ; some image artefacts

Verdict: One of the best superzooms we've seen, the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS offers a 20x zoom lens and HD video, which you can't get in similarly priced digital SLRs. It also delivers more features and slightly better performance and photo quality than the ...