[UPDATE JAN 6, 2009: I've had the camera since Dec 22, 2008 and posted a review title, "Canon PowerShot SX1 IS User Review“)
Unless someone advises me otherwise, and suggests a better alternative, I’m going to buy the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS as soon as it is available in my place, sometime in December. The Olympus SP565-UZ and Casio Exilim EX-FH20 seem to be strong contenders of the SX1 IS — especially the EX-FH20 — for the point-and-click camera I have in mind.
However, brand recognition and the SX1 IS’s ability to shoot at 4fps at full resolution and 30fps 1080 high definition video does make it stand above the rest, in my eyes at least, in the 20x optical zoom segment.
I think I’m willing to forgo the EX-FH20′s ability to shoot at 40fps for the SX1 IS’s 4fps, but I still have two-solid month to decide. Until then, and until someone tells me otherwise, the SX1 IS is a done deal.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I have just returned my SX1is due to poor image quality, It amazes me some of the great stuff said about this camera and after reading many reviews decided to buy one, Big mistake!
I tried it on every setting including total auto everything and although the images looked ok on the LCD screen (on the camera) once on my PC HD Monitor it told a different story. At most iso settings if you zoomed in slightly there was lots of graininess and one shot of my car had purple fringes on wheel rims. I have mentioned this to many people and had pro photographers test my camera and all came back with the same reply “Get rid of it” Not what i wanted to hear after spending £400 on it? Ok I may have one of a bad batch circulating as I’m not alone with these problems? I replaced it with a Fuji S100fs which although doesn’t have as long zoom and HD video it is a very good camera and anyone thinking of buying the SX1is should definatly go to a shop and test both cameras before buying.
I’m very disappointed with Canon after this and although I have a Canon 1dmk2 + big lenses (300-800mm) I will never buy another Canon compact. The camera is basically a point and shoot (with a few clever options) and it basically didn’t! I had a friend who was going to buy the same camera for her holiday luckily i got her to change her mind! imagine how she would feel when she reurned home with memory cards full of unusable shots? lucky escape i say
And before you say “Oh the guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about” I sent some images to a Canon technician and he agreed they were poor quality nuff said.
Too late, my friend… I’ve bought the SX1 IS and will have to live with whatever quality the camera is giving me. I decided not to return it because it doubles up as a camcorder. My next camera will definitely be a DSLR.
Hi Jason,
Don’t let my comments put you off your Sx1is, like i said I may have been one of the unlucky ones and its possible there are a few bad uns.
I have seen some fantastic shots taken with the SX1is which makes me even more convinced about some may not be 100% fault free but you’d never get Canon to admit it LoL
Its a shame because I too was looking forward to using the HD video etc.
So never mind I’m very happy with the Fuji S100fs.
Cheerio and have fun
Brian
Ps look forward to seeing some of your macro images and once i have worked out how you use the Raynox 250 i’ll pop some Fuji shots on here!
No, not at all. In good lights, the SX1 IS is capable of shooting good macro photos and I’m okay with it.
Looking forward to seeing your Fuji shots