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The Canon PowerShot SX1 IS is a successor to 2007’s PowerShot S5IS. This mid-level compact digital camera differs from its predecessor by improving several of the core features relating to image quality and performance. The SX1 IS is the first PowerShot to feature a 10 megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, which allows the camera to offer full resolution continuous shooting at 4fps, as well as 1080p HDTV video capture at 30fps. This camera also features a near-silent 20x wide-angle optical zoom. The SX1 IS also features Canon’s new DIGIC 4 image processor, which improves the camera’s motion detection capabilities by constantly adjusting the ISO and focus to prevent image blur. This camera comes with full manual controls, allowing for more advanced users to precisely tweak their photos. This camera is suitable for users who want the simplicity of a point and shoot, yet the flexibility of a more advanced manual camera in one package.
MSRP $599.99
Release date April, 2009
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Pros & Cons49
Reviews10
Details
Buy It10
Competitors5
Related2
Gallery3
Pros & Cons
9 positive
0 mixed
0 negative
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The ProSCORE is calculated based on the ratio of Pros & Cons about this product as voted by
approved reviewers from the ProductWiki community.
ProSCORE = 100 x (Pro votes) / [(Pro votes) + (Con votes)]
Numbers used for this ProSCORE:
Pro votes = 123
Con votes = 25
Total votes = 148
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Details
Features
- 20x wide-angle optical zoom
- sensor: 10 megapixel Canon CMOS (4fps continuous shooting)
- image processor: DIGIC IV
- 1080p HD video (1920 x 1080)
- focus: auto and manual
- flash: auto with red eye reduction
- 2.8" TFT LCD screen (230,000 pixels)
- connectivity: HDMI Mini, USB 2.0, AV out
- file formats: JPEG (Exif 2.2), DPOF 1.1, AVI video (Motion JPEG compression)
- storage: SD/SDHC/MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus
- power: AC power adapter and Ni-MH battery charger kit
- dimensions and weight: 128 x 88 x 88 mm, 585 g
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This report was started
February 20, 2009 at 1:28 pm by
shadowtech
with the last edit occurring
Today, 10:49 AM by
navitta
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11 contributors.
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Buy It
Canon SX1 IS
• Canon PowerShot SX1IS 10 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.8-inch LCD
• PowerShot SX1 IS Black Digital Camera
UPC: 013803101218
EAN: 013803101218
MPN: SX1IS
Competitors
Canon SX1 IS is ranked 2nd among it's competitors.
See the
top picks in
Digital Cameras »
MSRP $649.95
Released September, 2009
Pros
- auto picture mode - automatically selects the best preset mode for the photo you're trying to take, ideal for newbies
- HDR shooting mode
- can store images in RAW format
Cons
- viewfinder doesn't show selected auto-focus points
- crazier coloured bodies will be Japan only
- runs on AA batteries
Canon SX1 IS
0%
vs.
Pentax K-x
100%
MSRP $599.99
Released July, 2009
Pros
- optical image stabilization
- RAW format support
- 14.3x optical zoom
Cons
- large size
- high price
- non-removable lens
Canon SX1 IS
vs.
FujiFilm FinePix S200EXR/S205EXR
MSRP $379.99
Released August, 2009
Pros
- 18x optical zoom; very high
- extended battery life of approximately 470 pictures
- improved optical image stabilization (supposedly 2x better than the previous generation)
Cons
- big for a point-and-shoot
- User Interface sometimes poor - mystery descriptions like "Mode1 / Mode2" for stabilization, short on explanatory text which could help.
- Full operating instructions only supplied on CD, not in print.
Canon SX1 IS
100%
vs.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35
0%
MSRP $599.99
Released November, 2009
Pros
- great value when compared to the upgraded E-620
- affordable price
- great entry-level option - affordable price, 18-scene modes, etc...
Cons
- buttons are not backlit like those on the E-620
- does not accept the more common SD/SDHC flash memory
- artificially restricted firmware to deferenciate this model from the upgraded E-620 - lacks two-shot multi exposure mode, aspect-ratio based crop mode
Canon SX1 IS
vs.
Olympus E-600
MSRP $499.95
Released February, 2009
Pros
- utilizes easy to find, affordable and capacious SD/SDHC flash storage
- affordable price
- 24x optical zoom
Cons
- potentially too large or expensive for the majority of consumers
- still a point-and-shoot, can never replace a DSLR
- bulky for a point-and-shoot
Canon SX1 IS
100%
vs.
Nikon Coolpix P90
0%
Reviews
August 27, 2009
approved
reviewer
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- 20x optical zoom
- manual control option for the aperture and shutter
- 1080p video recording
- compatible with a variety of easy to find/affordable storage memory (SD/SDHC/MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus)
- includes a wireless remote control for shooting and playback
- affordable
- 2.8" screen
- high speed continuous shooting
- RAW support has been added
- uses AA batteries, rather than proprietary batteries.
- Outstanding photographs under right conditions
- zoom is really fast and quiet
- super macro is outstanding
- Good size/weight for larger hands
- Stereo audio
- Wide ranging articulating LCD screen
- RAW + JPEG support
- macros all the way down to 0cm (touching the lens)
- full manual controls rivaling DSLRs
- starts up and ready to take picture really fast - shuts down really fast too
- multiple face detection is great
- face detect timer allows photographer to casually enter picture - no rush to beat the timer
- shutter timers can be set to 2 or 10 seconds with 1 to 10 shots in sequence
- red-eye reduction using either strobe flash or within camera software automatically (goodbye to the strobe flash!)
- hotshoe compatible with E-TTL II flash attachments and 3rd party equivalents
- LCD can be flipped against the camera to protect from scratches
- zoom works quietly while filming in 1080p
- memory cards are easy to swap out
- HDMI out for HDTV hookup
- remote can control camera when connected to HDTV
- first non-DSLR camera from Canon that utilizes their CMOS sensor which allows fast burst modes, 1080p and other pluses
- Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) +/-2 for HDR images
- Digital zoom all the way to 80x
- Easy to use custom color modes allow for more artistic expression
- software wind filter for audio
Cons
- no external microphone input
- grainy in low light
- Lens cap falls off easily, no tether
- dial doesn't give feedback (too smooth, no clicks)
- no 720p video mode
- AF works too hard in low light
- need special filter adapter to add 3rd party filters
- Tripod hole not centered to lens, making panorama shots a little difficult in certain situations
- awkward photo deletion
Comments
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
February 21, 2009
approved
reviewer

have it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- 20x optical zoom
- manual control option for the aperture and shutter
- 1080p video recording
- compatible with a variety of easy to find/affordable storage memory (SD/SDHC/MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus)
- includes a wireless remote control for shooting and playback
- affordable
- 2.8" screen
- compatible with a range of professional accessories
Cons
- no external microphone input
- no RAW support
- somewhat bulky
Comments
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
February 20, 2009
approved
reviewer
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- 20x optical zoom
- manual control option for the aperture and shutter
- 1080p video recording
- compatible with a variety of easy to find/affordable storage memory (SD/SDHC/MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus)
- includes a wireless remote control for shooting and playback
- affordable
- 2.8" screen
- compatible with a range of professional accessories
Cons
- no external microphone input
- no RAW support
- somewhat bulky
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
September 15, 2009
approved
reviewer

have it

love it
Pros
- 20x optical zoom
- manual control option for the aperture and shutter
- 1080p video recording
- compatible with a variety of easy to find/affordable storage memory (SD/SDHC/MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus)
- includes a wireless remote control for shooting and playback
- affordable
- 2.8" screen
- high speed continuous shooting
- RAW support has been added
- uses AA batteries, rather than proprietary batteries.
- Outstanding photographs under right conditions
- zoom is really fast and quiet
- super macro is outstanding
- Good size/weight for larger hands
- Stereo audio
- Wide ranging articulating LCD screen
- RAW + JPEG support
- macros all the way down to 0cm (touching the lens)
- full manual controls rivaling DSLRs
- starts up and ready to take picture really fast - shuts down really fast too
- shutter timers can be set to 2 or 10 seconds with 1 to 10 shots in sequence
- hotshoe compatible with E-TTL II flash attachments and 3rd party equivalents
- LCD can be flipped against the camera to protect from scratches
- zoom works quietly while filming in 1080p
- memory cards are easy to swap out
- HDMI out for HDTV hookup
- remote can control camera when connected to HDTV
- first non-DSLR camera from Canon that utilizes their CMOS sensor which allows fast burst modes, 1080p and other pluses
- Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) +/-2 for HDR images
Cons
- no external microphone input
- grainy in low light
- Lens cap falls off easily, no tether
- dial doesn't give feedback (too smooth, no clicks)
- no 720p video mode
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
October 6, 2009
approved
reviewer
Pros
- 20x optical zoom
- manual control option for the aperture and shutter
- 1080p video recording
- compatible with a variety of easy to find/affordable storage memory (SD/SDHC/MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus)
- includes a wireless remote control for shooting and playback
- affordable
- 2.8" screen
- high speed continuous shooting
- RAW support has been added
- uses AA batteries, rather than proprietary batteries.
- compatible with a range of professional accessories
- Outstanding photographs under right conditions
- zoom is really fast and quiet
- super macro is outstanding
- Good size/weight for larger hands
- Stereo audio
- Wide ranging articulating LCD screen
Cons
- no external microphone input
- grainy in low light
- Lens cap falls off easily, no tether
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
September 29, 2009
approved
reviewer
Pros
- 20x optical zoom
- manual control option for the aperture and shutter
- affordable
- RAW support has been added
- uses AA batteries, rather than proprietary batteries.
- multiple face detection is great
- face detect timer allows photographer to casually enter picture - no rush to beat the timer
- red-eye reduction using either strobe flash or within camera software automatically (goodbye to the strobe flash!)
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
September 24, 2009
approved
reviewer

love it
Pros
- 20x optical zoom
- manual control option for the aperture and shutter
- 1080p video recording
- compatible with a variety of easy to find/affordable storage memory (SD/SDHC/MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus)
- includes a wireless remote control for shooting and playback
- high speed continuous shooting
- RAW support has been added
- uses AA batteries, rather than proprietary batteries.
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
June 18, 2009
approved
reviewer
Pros
- 20x optical zoom
- manual control option for the aperture and shutter
- 1080p video recording
- compatible with a variety of easy to find/affordable storage memory (SD/SDHC/MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus)
- includes a wireless remote control for shooting and playback
- affordable
- 2.8" screen
- compatible with a range of professional accessories
Cons
Did not agree with any cons
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
July 25, 2009
approved
reviewer
Pros
- high speed continuous shooting
Cons
Did not agree with any cons
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
Today, 10:49 AM
approved
reviewer
Cons
Did not agree with any cons
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
Price comparison information by:
This product is also known as:
SX, 1, SX1