Hybrids are not just on the highway – they are to move the camera gear in a big way. One of the newest is Canon PowerShot SX1 IS, an expensive 10-megapixel digital camera with the ability to record full 1080P video clips – a cut above 720P. Until the introduction of this model could only high-priced DSLRs like the Canon 5D Mark II 1080p at 30 fps capture. The affordable Canon EOS T1i only shoots 1080p at 20 fps, and Nikon SLR cameras shoot 720P. Together with the higher-quality films, the SX1 has a powerful 20x wide-angle with a focal range of 28-560mm and a fold-out 2.8-inch widescreen LCD.
Features and Design
A quick glance at the black-bodied Canon PowerShot SX1 IS and you’d swear it was an entry-level DSLR. Although there is a Nikon D60 or Olympus E-450 may be similar, there is no mirror assembly or, more importantly, the rapid response of a digital SLR camera. But it has a built-in 20x zoom and you would have to spend a small fortune to a 28-560mm focal length with add-on to get DSLR lenses. And that does not even take into account the bulk and weight of this type of glass collection. At 20x SX1 IS can certainly be a mega-zoom camera, but for the record, the 12MP Olympus SP-590UZ is the strongest with a whopping 26x lens (but no HD video capability). The SX1 IS measures a very SLR-like 5 inches wide, 3.5 high and 3.5 deep, while the scale at 24 ounces with the batteries. It’s a bit like a boxer, and you can not just slip it in your pocket.
Obviously the lens of the dominant on the front. It has our “favorite” feature, a separate lens cap that is being lost from, because there is a clip attachment on the cap itself, rather than a connecting line string (which is still a pretty funky arrangement, but all Mega zooms have this problem). Also on the front of the left and right stereo microphones, an AF-assist lamp and a remote sensor. Logos are low key and unobtrusive on the front page, but Canon went a bit over the top on the lens itself advertises Image Stabilization, Full HD, 20x and so on. Calm down, guys.
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At the top you see a flash and microphone button, a hot shoe on top of the built-in flash manually to use, dial, power switch and shutter speed, which is surrounded by the wide/tele control on a sturdy pistol grip. The dial gives you access to your camera settings, including auto, manual Program AE, aperture and shutter-priority, and custom. There is also access to four common scene modes, 12 more of them SCN, Stitch Assist (panorama), and film. Surprisingly, the camera is not found on the smart Auto function on other new PowerShot, the scientific thinking of the camera before the scene, and make possible the proper adjustments.
Indicative of its high-definition video camera to evaluate the function has an articulated 2.8-inch widescreen LCD 230K pixels. The screen smeared a bit, and a camera in this price class should have an improved display (460K). However, it can be rotated in a variety of positions, and turned inward to protect the screen when not in use. As with other mega-zooms, the SX1 IS has an electronic viewfinder with diopter adjustment to be used if the LCD wipes. A rubber eyecup prevents slamming his forehead. Electronic viewfinder (EVF) is OK quality, but the number of pixels should also here (140K) will be increased.
There are a number of buttons on the back directly pressure, aspect ratio (4:3, 16:9), movie, playback, and exposure compensation whatsoever. The four-way controller with center Function/Set button has moved to a rotating jog wheel through the menus and options. The dots on the controllers provide direct access to ISO, burst mode, macro and manual focus. Display and menu buttons complete this layout surprisingly funny. You will definitely need to do some homework before you completely comfortable with that feeling. For example, to switch between aperture and shutter speed, while in manual mode until you press the exposure compensation button. It’s just not as seamless as it should be.
The right side has pockets for optional SD cards, USB, Mini-HDMI and A/V outs, as well as DC-in for an optional accessory. The left has a speaker, while the bottom of the SX1 is produced in Japan, has a stand and compartment for four AA batteries.
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Accessories
The SX1 IS comes with everything you need other than an SD card and mini-HDMI cable. You get the camera and four bases, but you should use them for flashlights and batteries for the camera, as it was for 420 shots instead of 160 for standard batteries last. You also get USB and A/V cable, remote control, and lens hood. It also comes with a 306-page user manual, direct printing and software starter guide. The included software CD has ZoomBrowser EX 6.2, PhotoStitch 3.1 and Digital Photo Professional 3.6 for PC and ImageBrowser 6.2, PhotoStitch 3.6 and DPP 3.2 for Mac in order to process images and develop RAW files.
With NiMH batteries charged, along with a 4GB Class 6 SDHC card, it was time to take this hybrid for a test drive.
Performance and use
The Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor, a first for the company compact camera line-up, His DSLRs have CMOS sensors used for years. The benefit-in theory this type of imaging device is faster response and lower noise. We will soon enough when the see the case.
First, the hybrid camera – surprise! – A camera to see, how good it still images recorded. It was on RAW + JPEG with all the default settings auto (ISO, white balance), continuous optical image stabilization, continuous AF and i-Contrast set involved. As usual, we have in the car, went to the manual options, then some scene modes to the mix.
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Having just checked one of the Canon better target-and-forget digicams, we must say we were disappointed by the LCD screen. Although we liked the flexibility, we fixed a higher quality display would have preferred. There was a significant delay in switching from position to position, and the detail just was not there. The attempt to give this a “camcorder like” screen for video recording was a good idea but the execution was weak. Canon camcorder screens have controls on the bezel, allowing them to use a breeze. This is not the case and it is a bummer for a $ 600 camera.
In general use, the SX1 was quite attractive, save, and RAW + JPEG files, but that was definitely not a DSLR, since they could only save a little more than 1 fps in Continuous AF mode; Any decent DSLR will do 3 frames per second. If you shoot bursts but with fixed focus, it will capture four images per second – much better than the competition. The camera focuses fast access with little, while the focal length was an explosion. The move by the beautiful scenery for 28mm then zoom to birds to distant branches definitely one of the best digital camera on the Internet.
As for the menu system and general operations (photography, film photography) the camera does not feel very intuitive. You must keep the manual handy as you go through different tasks. It is not rocket science, and you’ll get it pretty quickly, but Canon’s engineers should I stepped to the plate for this expensive digicam. The hand-operated flash stands as another demerit on this cam, which should really have a car pop-up type.
Shooting high-definition movies is a snap-switch only the aspect ratio to wide screen, then press the red record button. If you think it is 4:3, you’ll only record SD. You can zoom with the 20x optical during the filming, which is a very good thing. Another note to Canon: Why have a movie setting on the mode dial to, if there is a big red button on the back provides access to video mode? Another SX1 IS idiosyncrasy.
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Once with our photo and video jaunts done, it was time to check prints, files on a monitor and review on a 50-inch plasma via HDMI. Overall, the SX1 is a mixed bag with the occasional flash of brilliance. First the bad news: At default settings, the camera offers no quality pictures indoors in available light. Focus was not sharp, and there was also detail or color. It was surprisingly bad for a Canon. If we set the exposure, the results were more accurate, but we expect better. In our test shots were ISO digital noise up to 400 and was very noticeable at 800, but usable for a small pressure. ISO 1600 looked bad. Native ISO ranges from 80-1600, with a special setting for 3200 at lower resolution.
If the camera had enough light, he produced the excellent results we expect from the company. The color in macro photos of sunflowers was spot on, with excellent detail. It was so good, we even spotted a small bee in a flower, when we enlarged on the monitor. The OIS have to keep a good job, what stable. Another pleasant surprise was the absence of color fringing to extreme telephoto shots, like the tips of evergreen branches. It just was not there, and this is usually a problem competing with mega-zoom.
As for the 1080p video, the film was shot with this camera was far better than the competition, with subtle colors and fast focusing. That is, it still was not as good as HD camcorder, which typically produce rock-solid results. If you are with the SX1 IS there a wavy effect, pan-some call it a Jell-O effect. However, you do not see it when you zoom directly to a topic. Since this is not a DSLR, there was no need to go Live View modes and fight with focus issues. Also good is the smoothness of the objective. Even with extensive zoom, there was no noise on the soundtrack. Cool Stuff.
Conclusion
The Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has a lot to offer, as well as some disadvantages. After testing it, we really can not wait for the 2010 version of this camera such as Canon takes care of the issues that we – and other guests – are detailed. In the meantime, it is a great mega for the photographer willing to learn its quirks, take the time to master their skills, and spend $ 600 zoom.
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