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Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom | 
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| Brand: Canon
Category: Photography
List Price: $399.99
Buy New: $328.95
You Save: $71.04 (18%)
New (50) Used (2) from $359.00
Rating:  96 reviews
Sales Rank: 5
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Includes Software: Yes
Optical Zoom: 20
Digital Zoom: 4
Connectivity: AV
Display Size: 2.5
Maximum Focal Length: 100
Minimum Focal Length: 5
Maximum Resolution: 10
Has Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 4.9 x 3.5 x 3.4
nv:Sensor: 10 Megapixel
Image Resolution: 1600 x 1200
Image Resolution: 640 x 480
Image Resolution: 2272 x 1704
Image Resolution: 2816 x 2112
Image Resolution: 3648 x 2736
Image Resolution: 3648 x 2048
Movie Resolution: 640x480
Movie Resolution: 320x240
Storage Media: MultiMediaCard
Storage Media: HC MMC Plus Card
Storage Media: SD/SDHC Memory Card
Storage Media: MMC Plus Card
Compressed Format: JPEG (Exif Ver 2.2 )
Movie File Format: Mov
Optical Zoom: 20x
Digital Zoom: 4X
Combined Zoom: 80x
MPN: SX10IS
Model: SX10IS
UPC: 013803100785
EAN: 0013803100785
ASIN: B001G5ZTZO
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | 10.0-megapixel resolution for high-quality printing and flexibility when editing | | • | 20x optical zoom, wide-angle lens and Optical Image Stabilizer; improved speed and quiet zooming | | • | 2.5-inch Vari-angle LCD; DIGIC 4 Image Processor improves Face Detection | | • | MovieSnap mode lets you capture high-resolution still images while shooting a movie | | • | Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Whether the action is fast or slow, close up or far away, youll always get the shot you want with the PowerShot SX10 IS. This camera puts you on the cutting edge of advanced technology, with an incredibly powerful 20x optical zoom, 10-megapixel resolution, and new DIGIC 4 Image Processor for high-performance face and motion detection.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 91 more reviews...
 (Updated) Looks like winner so far. October 5, 2008
K. Heim (USA)
260 out of 269 found this review helpful
To my surprise, I stumbled across a SX10-IS from in a local store in Green Bay WI. Saturday Oct 4th. I bought it quickly. Amazon would have been my next step. (Cameras can be an addiction sometimes.) I have only been experimenting with it for 24hrs so far. I can't speak for its dependability yet. I will be comparing it to my old companion the S2-IS that has served me for 3 plus years and has worked for me flawlessly for many of thousands of pictures.
These new pictures are a noticeable improvement in every respect. High ISO is greatly improved. Colors, highlights, dark areas, all are excellent. I don't think I'll do checking for the edge sharpness or purple fringing. That is best left to the pros to check out.
Photography has been a hobby of mine since before 35mm cameras had light meters built in. I know a good picture from a bad one. This camera's 28-560mm is what makes this camera like no others. With the 100 or so pictures produce for me so far, it looks a feels like a winner. I have to repeat "so far". I know I'll be upsetting some SLR owners, (I been there, done that, and have a closet full of SLR equipment). If anyone is looking for a camera to just simply bring home the most pictures that everyone will want to look at, then this one is hard to beat.
If I sit down and think of what I would spend to get slightly better pictures in the 28-560mm range, there is no way I justify the cost difference. I remember lugging and switching all the lenses around. This just is not necessary anymore with the new super zooms. I always missed my 28mm with my old S2-IS. Really, the 28mm is very useful compared to the normal 35mm in any brand of camera. And on the long end, you can't have too much zoom. I have accepted the minuscule loss in sharpness compared to an SLR's when I bought my S2-IS. I have brought home more great pictures since that time then I would have lugging all that stuff. 28mm-560mm is one heck of range to have at your finger tips. I got off the subject a little.
Two things I am disappointed in. The miner one is it is heavy compared to my S2-IS. It probably is in the lens. Secondly, I can't believe Canon went to using the Apple .mov files for recording movies in this camera. This is clearly a big negative. So there it is, this great camera that is going to change forever what we can do with one single do it all camera, and then Canon goes and throws a big old horse fly in the ointment, with their .mov format movie recording.
**** UPDATE ****
The movie recording in the proprietary Apple (.mov) container means that you cannot directly edit your movies in Windows "Movie Maker".
"Movie Maker" is the editing program that at least 99 percent of the population has available for free at their finger tips, in every Windows computer. "Movie Maker" is excellent and very easy to use. Canon could have compressed the movies without using the proprietary Apple format.
ISO at 400 and above has improved. This means ISO 800 on my new SX10 is like ISO 400 on my S2-IS. Please keep in mind that this can be very subjective from one person to the next. I don't think anyone would be disappointed with the ISO improvement. Some of the forums are reporting even better improvements. We all need to see some reliable reviews on the SX10.
The quality at 20X is very good and will produce impressive pictures to all but the critics. 8x10 prints should no problem. Using any lens at 560mm needs to be used with care and a basic understanding of long lenses.
We need to keep this in prospective. This lens ranges from 28mm to 560mm. If a person is looking for this kind of range in one single lens, what are our options? Correct me if I'm wrong but I see only the SX10 and the Olympus SP570. Again correct me if I'm wrong, that a 28-560mm is not available even in a single SLR lens. So really I have no choice at this time. If I want to get a nice picture of that mountain range at 28mm and the close-up of the wild mustang before it runs away using 560mm, both from one lens, I have only two choices. (SX10 or SP570).
In addition to all this, because the high pixel count, now the digital zoom is useable with caution and can produce some surprising results.
The new "Wheel" control on the SX10 is not good and hard to use, I don't like it at all. It functions, but is very clumsy to use. Depending on the user, some users might not use it much.
I have never seen a perfect camera at any price and doubt that I ever will. So far I am happy overall, and feel I have a quality and fun camera that I will take more pictures with than any other choices that I could have made. I would buy it again.
*****Update(2)***** 10/30/08
Canon SX10IS -------- 28-560mm
Olympus SP570/SP565 - 26-520mm
Casio EX-FH20 ------- 26-520mm
Not all 20X cameras are exactly equal in there focal lengths. So if that little extra reach in the optical zoom is important to you, then check them carefully. The Canon reaches just a little further.
Now, with many more pictures taken since my first post, I can say that anyone looking to buy this camera needs to consider that this SX10IS uses a 5.7 lens when zoomed out to 560mm. This is normal for a 560mm lens, even with many SLR lenses. Buyers should check out what these numbers mean and make sure you understand how they impact the final image. It's gets to detailed for this post.
Still a happy SX10IS user.
 Probably best in class, worthy upgrade October 17, 2008
Kevin K. Fosler
192 out of 195 found this review helpful
I've owned each new version of this camera since the Powershot S2IS. For me this is a worthwhile upgrade over the prior version, the S5IS.
I'll start by saying that I am not a digital camera "power user". I just want good quality photos without a lot of hassle. This camera provides that, yet also provides a lot of room for growth with plenty of custom settings that I can use if I want to learn how to use them in the future (for example, aperture priority).
Pros:
- In initial testing, the face detection technology seems to work well. I can take a self portrait now and the lighting comes out very good. I think the technology has gone from buzzword marketing to true usefulness.
- One side benefit of the face detection technology is that it enables the camera to intelligently take red-eye out of pictures without using the red-eye reduction lamp.
- The flip-out and rotating viewfinder has always and continues to set this camera apart from its peers from other companies. It allows for less intrusive candid photos and has many other advantages.
- Thankfully, the SD card door is separate from the battery door as it was with the S3IS. Thank you Canon! There are times that I just want to take a few pictures, and now I don't have to open the battery door to take the SD card out and put in my PC's card reader.
- Low battery warning. I think this is the first version to have that and it's very welcome.
- 28mm -- I will never get another camera without wide angle built in. I have the Canon Elph 880IS too, which is a very powerful "pocketable" camera that complements this one well.
- Sharp 20x zoom. Pictures turn out very good even at high zooms. In an indoor-lit apartment, I can read fairly small print from a photo taken all the way across a room -- it truly is amazing.
- The picture quality is better at higher ISO's than previous models. Each model improves on this and this one definitely continues that. I haven't tried out the "I-Contrast" setting (on vs. off) but I can say that in some outdoor pictures that I have taken detail is good in shadow areas.
- Finally, a standard lens-cap. It doesn't have a tether, but you can buy a cap attachment from a camera store that sticks on the front of the cap. The one that I got has an elastic band that goes around the base of the lens. I also got a better lens cap which can now be done since it's standard.
- Controls ... I like the new placement of the controls such as dedicated on-off button and display button. I don't think I will like the scroll wheel but time will tell. For those not familiar with this camera, there is a dedicated video button so that you can take video quickly without having to mess with the controls.
- Weight and shape. I liked the shape of the S5IS a little better. This one seems too "boxy" and the grip seems too abrupt. It's bigger and heavier but not in a way that matters. It's expected with the new lens.
The only thing I would have liked to see improved is the size of the rotating display. It's usable, but the 3" one on my pocket SD880IS is much better, and competing cameras offer a larger display. In order to get a larger display though the electronic viewfinder would probably have to be eliminated which is something that many wouldn't like. I'd rather have a larger display.
I don't know if the compressed movie mode results in less quality because I didn't take movies with prior versions of this camera because the file size was larger. I like that videos take up less space now and I will use the video feature of this version.
Canon released a camera similar to this with HD video capabilities but it's not available, as far as I know, in the U.S. Check the Canon website for more info. if you want to research that.
There is not a way to screw filters on this camera as there was with the optional lens adapters available for the S5IS. It seems that Canon could have easily done this by threading the end of the lens but maybe I am missing something. I anticipate that Canon or some other company will come out with an adapter that will allow filters. My main use of filters was simply to protect the lens.
I don't know if the software is improved because I don't use it. If you want date / time stamps on your photos, you need to do it via software.
If you like this camera and are interested in a great pocket-sized camera to complement this one, check out the SD880IS. It has many of the same features such as the Digic 4 chip, face detection, wide angle, I-contrast, and in addition it has a beautiful 3" display.
Update 10-26-08
- I previously commented that I thought the shape was too boxy" and the grip "too abrupt". After using the camera for a while I have grown to like the shape because it helps keep the camera more steady and helps prevent dropping it. There is a ridge below where the index finger is, and above the other 3 fingers holding the camera. That helps keep a good grip on the camera which makes it steadier while shooting and helps prevent dropping it while carrying it around.
Happy with the SX10 IS October 11, 2008
Mark N. (Texas)
140 out of 146 found this review helpful
This camera replaced my old Olympus C2100, a formidable 10x zoom camera introduced 8 years ago that started the mega-zoom race. Have played with the SX10 IS for a week now and very happy with it.
Below are what I like:
-It uses regular "AA" batteries. Never buy a camera that uses specialized batteries no matter what people may tell you.
-It has a useful 28mm wide angle lens. This means you can include a whole group of people in a picture without standing too far back(such as in a small room). Most cameras (I say 90%) do not have lens this wide.
-You can zoom (optical & digital, with audio) while taking movies. Many cameras do not allow optical or audio during movie taking.
-It takes SD memory cards which is most popular (plentiful, cheap). Do not settle for cameras that take any other type of memory cards.
-It has a rotating LCD display.
-It is quick to take (and view) pictures and movies.
-Picture and movie quality (with stereo audio) is superbly competitive to any other high quality cameras.
Below are what I don't like:
-No grip: this is one slippery camera. I like its size and weight but its grip needs to be designed accordingly.
-The LCD display is very easily scratched. Do not wear this camera with a neck strap with the LCD facing out, because your shirt buttons will scratch the LCD. Immediately put a protective screen on this LCD first; there are several protective screen or tape products available.
-The lens has no thread so you can't put on a lens filter to protect it from smears and dust.
-The lens cap has no tether or tether hole so there is little you can do to attach the cap to the camera. Canon, what was you thinking?
-I wish it can record movies in widescreen 16:9 VGA. It does not have HD movie feature but I don't need HD, I only wish widescreen VGA.
Currently there are several 20x zoom cameras available, such as the Olympus SP-570UZ and SP-565UZ, Casio EX-FH20. I've tried all of them, and eventually chose the Canon SX10IS as I think it gives you superb features and quality for an unbelievable price.
 Fixing problems that didn't exist! October 29, 2008
Chris Nibley (bangkok)
79 out of 97 found this review helpful
I have owned and loved every S series camera since the S2 and so I was very apprehensive when I learned that they had made dramatic changes to the next iteration. The size is bigger, the zoom is longer, video files more compressed and the button layout has been switched around a good deal.
It's not that I resist change, I just believe that if you've got a good thing going - DON'T MESS WITH IT! But I had already promised my photo-loving little sister that I'd give her my S5 when the new one came out so I figured I had to at least give it a try, so I went ahead and ordered it.
I was most worried about the new video format as that was my favorite feature of the previous cameras, so as soon as I received the SX10 I ripped it out of the box, threw a 4gb extreme 3 memory card in and hit the record button. 4gb provided a little more than 45 minutes of the highest quality of video on the new .mov format, while on the S5's .avi, I got a little less than 30 minutes, but I've never been one to complain about the size of the files - just the quality! I walked around, trying to test it in as many ways possible, bright light, low light, wide open, fully zoomed, inside, outside, etc. I could tell that this camera had a more difficult time staying in focus when I zoomed in and out than the previous S cameras, but it wasn't appallingly bad, and I figured if that was the worst thing, it would still be a wonderful camera. So I watched the video on my computer and even though I was annoyed with having to use quicktime and found it a little less convenient (.avi files are displayed in windows with a picture of the first frame, making them very easily identified, whereas .mov files just show the quicktime "Q", meaning I would have to come up with catchy titles for all of my many video clips), I had to admit that the video quality was still quite good, and I think the audio is even a little better (that might just be the camera though).
At this point I'll talk about my impressions of the body handling. It is definitely larger than the S5, but still not nearly as large as any SLR I've ever handled - it still has a relatively compact feel, expecially considering it zooms all the way to 560mm! The grip in the right hand does feel a little weak and slippery, but I didn't ever have a problem with it slipping. In the left hand though, it actually feels quite nice as the larger lens protrusion gives you something to hold on to, including some very functional ridges along the bottom. So I'd say the ergonomics are very decent. The buttons are placed fairly well (I'd switch the play button with the function button) and they all feel nice. The wheel I hated, but I'll get to that later.
So it barely passed the first test, but I still wasn't convinced and I cleared 6 hours from my Saturday to really give it a thorough examination. I also brought my SD1100 just to have something to compare the pics and vids too.
I tried testing every limit of this camera as I stalked a crane, observed an ant colony, tried (unsuccessfully) to catch fish as they sprang from the water and just enjoyed a wonderful day among nature. Within the first five minutes I had come across two fairly serious issues. The colors and exposure of the viewfinder were terrible; things that shouldn't have been blown out were, and I had a difficult time composing a shot as nothing looked nice! The second problem came when I switched to manual (my preferred shooting method) and realized that the wheel had actually made things more complicated as now you have to adjust exposure and shutter speed on the same wheel and switch between them by pushing a button, whereas before up-down (on the 4 way selector) did the exposure and left-right did shutter speed. The interface has been improved but that was little consolation as I found this to be very frustrating.
But even all of this could have been forgiven if everything else was great. The flip screen was as good as ever, so I pushed on.
When I was finished I was actually feeling pretty good. I really enjoyed the extra zoom on this camera and I thought it handled very well. I had my reservations still, but I felt like I could get over them and learn to really love this camera. Not to mention I was really excited about some of the pictures I had taken and wanted to get back to my computer and see how they really looked.
This is when things got ugly, pun intended. I've read all the other reviews and I know some people say this camera produces sharp pics, throughout the entire zoom range, but I have to disagree, strongly. At the long end of the zoom, pictures look like there's a slightly filmy sheet of glass in between my subject and me. Any bit of cropping and this becomes very pronounced. The NR on this camera is very strong and any high-contrast, straight lines were severely deformed. Almost like the mirage effect only more blocky. Wide open, the pictures just had no detail and looked just... bad. I'm so glad that I brought my SD1100 because I was really convinced when I started looking at my comparison shots, that the SX10 needed to be returned. The shots out of my 165 dollar point and shoot looked really sharp and pretty, while the same exact shot out of the SX10 looked completely emotionless and stale. I couldn't believe it. I double and triple checked that the nice shots were actually the SD1100 but I assure you they were.
In all fairness I did get about 8 really nice shots with the SX10, but that was out of more than 200, and I know had I been using my S5 I would have had a much higher percentage.
So now I don't know what to do. It seems kind of silly to buy a camera that I just gave away and right now I'm kind of disillusioned with Canon. I might try the Fuji S100FS. I hope this helps and if you do decide to get this camera - good luck.
Sweet Big Little Camera (Updated 11-25-08) November 7, 2008
Rachel Barr (Fort Davis, TX USA)
73 out of 75 found this review helpful
This updated review comes after a several weeks of intensive use, new discoveries and additional insights.
SHORT LIST
Pros:
Excellent resolution and reasonably sharp images
Better noise control--ISOs are usable through 400; 800 works in a pinch.
Images edges and corner sharpness are great for a lens with such huge range.
Color aberrations are less than average.
Huge zoom includes true wide angle.
Digital zoom produces surprisingly good images.
iContrast increases dynamic range for detailed highlights and shadows.
Bright vari-angle LCD with wider viewing than predecessor
Focus frame size can be reduced for small details
Move mode has stereo sound.
Better movie compression means smaller files. Upload and share!
Hot shoe for external flash
Takes AA rechargeables--600 images per charge
Included lens hood
Cons:
Slow f5.7 maximum aperture just beyond the 100mm mark
iContrast images are rendered with a gray cast.
Contrast falls flat even with iContrast disabled.
Tendency to overexpose
Autofocus is difficult to achieve in certain lighting.
Some barrel and pincushion distortion at extreme ends of the zoom with color fringing at contrast edges
Tedious, flimsy control dial
At higher ISOs, noise control comes at the expense of some detail.
Zoom sounds are audible in movies.
IN DEPTH
A semi-pro photographer with 30+ years' shooting experience, I am respectful yet rigorously demanding of my photo equipment. Be it SLR or point-and-shoot, I push parameters, often absurdly so. The SX10 doesn't seem to mind this mentality one little bit.
The camera is solidly built and, although hefty for a point-and-shoot, feels well balanced in the hand. Controls are intuitively placed and easy to find with your fingers--no need to take your eye off the LCD or viewfinder when you've become acquainted with their positions.
Performance is excellent. The camera powers on and is ready to shoot almost instantly. Image recording time is swift, especially with a Class 6 SD card, and in reasonable lighting focus is quick and accurate. Resolution is superb; image stabilization is unbeatable. And the sheer zoom range--wow!
Given a little time and some tinkering in its creative modes, the SX10 offers up some really good stuff. Point-and-shoot capability is outstanding as well--break it out of the box, install batteries and memory card, and fire away. It's so easy, even little kids can do it!
The camera pleases in almost every respect. In writing this review, it's my intent to offer an unbiased assessment--which is going to be something of a challenge, as I've grown quite partial to it. Like any other great camera, it does have some drawbacks which I'll go over in depth. I'd just hate for anyone to shy away from buying it after reading these few quibbles. For its price point, features and class, this is a stellar offering, and I highly recommend it.
Even if you're a seasoned, advanced photographer, right out of the gate, READ THE MANUAL, regardless of whether or not you've owned one of Canon's previous superzooms. I've owned both S3 and S5, and I just assumed the SX10 was a beefed-up version of those models, which I know backwards and forwards. So when my camera arrived, I took off taking pictures and adjusting controls like I knew what I was doing. Without reading the manual. Well...it's not a beefed up S5. There are several BIG changes. I didn't actually look at the instructions for almost a week, and as a result I was sick with disappointment--and just knew that Canon had lost their marbles.
If you're a full-auto kinda person, you'll probably love the camera right away without wading through the manual--until you make your first movie. If you haven't read the advanced instructions for video capture, here you'll probably encounter disappointment. So at the very least, read the advanced instructions for this feature at pages 87-90 (English manual). For instance, you can lock the focus--very nice. But the thing I believe you'll really want to know about is a way to brighten movies when zooming. (More on that in a bit.)
It's when you begin delving beyond point-and-shoot into the creative zone that an in-depth perusal of the advanced instructions gets essential. The good stuff is in there all right, just waiting to be tapped, but without reading the instructions, knowing how to work it would take psychic ability. It's not a hard camera to control, but some of its features and the procedures for using them aren't exactly transparent. So do yourself and the camera both a favor. Instead of bashin' or smashin' the darn thing, read up on how to use it. It's well nigh impossible to get the best from your SX10 until you do.
In this review, you'll notice a several references to existing-light photography. It is my personal preference; I only use flash when I absolutely must, so I've spent a lot of time working out the angles for that sort of shooting.
In this model Canon addresses several issues inherent in the "S" series--most notably noise and dynamic range. Though still noisy at ISO 800, about half the images I've shot at that setting have been pretty usable, and all are very good at ISO 400. Pictures taken between ISO 80 and 200 are excellent and clean. Noise reduction at higher ISOs does degrade image sharpness and detail a bit (more noticeable at the longer end of the zoom) but not enough to abandon the higher sensitivities altogether, especially for making prints.
Both edge and corner sharpness are very good at all but wide angle and full zoom, and even here sharpness is improved from Canon's previous "S" model at ANY focal length. In truth, no zoom lens of great range has edge-to-edge sharpness at its focal extremes.
Color aberrations are a mixed bag--depends on the focal length, ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Overall, I don't notice that much fringing. At wide angle some is apparent in the outer edges of the frame at high-contrast edges; bumping the zoom lever once or twice makes all the difference.
There is barrel distortion at the wide end as well, though not bad. It's only bothersome where there are obvious vertical or horizontal lines (again, a bump or two of zoom, and lines strighten right up).
These issues can be corrected in most photo editing programs, though not in Zoombrowser EX, the camera's supplied software.
Achieving focus in certain lighting can be iffy and sometimes fails. Changing the focus frame size usually remedies it; when it doesn't, manual focusing is necessary. Fortunately that feature is improved on this model. The autofocus issue seems linked to extremes in light contrast, be it low or high, rather than actual light available. Low contrast, low light situations present the most difficulty, but a couple of times my copy has struggled and failed in high-contrast, intense lighting, as well. Adjusting down the sensitivity helps.
If you prefer existing light photos and stay at ISO 400 and under for best detail, at focal lengths beyond 100mm you'll need to reduce shutter speeds significantly, and action shots get tricky. For stationary subjects, though, the camera can be hand-held at shutter speeds as low as 1/6 sec to produce very sharp images without flash--phenomenal. (This works best with image stabilization set for single shot rather than continuous.)
The camera is an excellent tool to have handy in any situation once you've familiarized yourself with the big lens. As just stated, it does place some constraints on what you can do under certain conditions. If you insist upon existing low-light photography and eschew flash altogether, carrying a mini-tripod or monopod is a good idea. Here the camera's tendency toward overexposure actually works to your benefit. An increase in shutter speed not only corrects exposure but also results in fewer blurry hand-held shots, helping to offset the limitations of narrower apertures above 100mm. So, although it's a good idea to have one handy, the tripod probably won't be needed too terribly often.
The camera's built-in flash is quite good to about 17 feet. There's also a hot shoe for dedicated external flash; and with flash employed, the playing field broadens almost to infinity. I've not yet encountered a situation where I couldn't get a picture when working with flash. Manual focus has sometimes been necessary, but by golly, I got the shot.
The big lens does zoom--boy, does it ever! Furthermore, digitally zoomed images are surprisingly detailed compared to the previous PowerShots I've owned--superzoom and compact alike. I forgot to change to a lower resolution before capturing some 1.4X digital zooms and was pleased to see that they didn't suffer much at all from my mistake. (Actually, I'm using one of those as my desktop background right now.) Furthermore, image stabilization is so effective that in good lighting sharp, hand-held shots are very doable at maximum magnification--a whopping 80X. The hardest thing about shooting at that length is just keeping the subject in your viewfinder.
Canon's vari-angle LCDs are thoroughly spoiling--they cook! Just gotta rant a bit about this feature. The SX10's LCD is an improvement over its predecessor. Although the same 2.5" size, the angle of view is wider, and the resolution is beefed up a bit.
There have been many instances when I simply wouldn't have captured a keeper without an articulating LCD. It not only offers the flexibility to shoot no-hassle self portraits, overhead, ground-level and other awkward-angle pictures, but it also gives an extra measure of stability in composing your pictures. Just fold out and tilt the LCD and hold the camera close to your body with your elbows tucked in. It's a much steadier stance than the traditional arms-out, eye-level method of composition. Makes for some good stealth photography, as well as opening up new perspectives (think children and pets). Also, folded out and rested on the left palm, the LCD helps brace for shooting at slower shutter speeds. And is a real boon for macro work.
Currently, there are several excellent ultrazoom offerings with RAW capability, a recording format I much prefer, but few if any have tilt-and-swivel LCDs. In choosing the SX10 I sacrificed RAW for this feature alone. It was a no-brainer; the LCD really is that great!
I really appreciate the ability to reduce the focus frame for shooting little details. At last! My macros are what I've tried and tried over the years to get with only limited success. Never before have I owned a camera that "knew" I was going for the antennae of a moth and not its entire body. And you can zero in on someone's eye as the sharpest point in the frame, really making for a stand-out photo. Pictures are so much more interesting with this new capability.
About iContrast: while dynamic range increases some, it's not that significant. This camera ably preserves both highlight and shadow detail even without it. At least with my copy, iContrast images are rendered with a dull, gray-blue cast that's pretty hard to stomach. No amount of tweaking colors or white balance offsets it, so I keep iContrast disabled.
Pictures are not as contrasty as those from its predecessors, especially at longer focal lengths. Some of this has to do with overexposure. In average to bright light, decreasing exposure from the camera's suggested setting helps considerably, both clarifying the image and upping highlight details. The exposure compensation button makes this pretty simple. Photos captured in overcast or shady conditions, on the other hand, nearly always lack contrast, regardless how I adjust exposure or which iContrast setting is used. I personally don't mind this. Contrast can always be boosted in post-editing, much preferable to salvaging images with blown highlights. Because when highlights are blown, the details are just gone for good. To me, not enough contrast is better than too much.
In its auto exposure modes, the camera selects an ISO, aperture and shutter speed that almost always works very well, although you may occasionally bring home noisier images than you'd like, and the white balance might be just a tad off. It also means employing the flash fairly often, so if you prefer point-and-shoot, existing light photography you really may want to consider a different camera.
About movie mode, in my estimation the only down side is the lens noise it records--an audible click-clack when focal length is changed. In every other respect, movies are outstanding. I had read user complaints about how dark videos grow when zoom is used, and that concerned me. Sure enough, when I got my camera and gave it a whirl, my movies were just bogus beyond the 100mm zoom mark.
Then I read the manual--duh. And Canon has made provision for the lens's narrowing aperture as you move toward full telephoto. When you notice the image growing dim, you can increase the exposure--during recording! It's very easy--a press of the exposure compensation button and a twirl of the control dial does it. Works like a charm. And that's not the only new enhancement. I mentioned focus lock earlier. You also have the ability to set preferences for white balance and color before beginning a movie, among other things. With stereo sound, volume adjustment, a wind filter and such enormous zooming power, the movie mode is a great addition to an already magnificent camera--it's just gravy.
If anything ever breaks or fails on my copy, it will be the control dial. Making adjustments with it is often trying. The dial is thin and slippery, and its mount is very shallow--almost flush with the Func/Set button it surrounds. The knurls on the dial are barely palpable, providing little traction. Worse, the dial doesn't always engage and slips while it's turning, and that's not going to improve over time. Applying the pressure to make it engage often changes the ISO setting, or the camera goes into manual focus or macro mode. It's plain tedious and does the blood pressure no good whatsoever. I've improved with practice at working the dial, but still all too often I have trouble with its responsiveness--or lack thereof. The thing's just tetchy!
Despite this complaint, I'm very glad the control dial is there. The SX10 is a camera that offers many adjustment options for making the very most of its incredible abilities.
If the control dial were more easily engaged, and the zoom were silent during video capture, I would give this camera a resounding five-star rating. It probably deserves one anyway. If I weren't an audiophile, the zoom noise probably wouldn't be an issue. And if I didn't use the creative modes almost exclusively, the control dial probably wouldn't be a bother, either. That needs serious improvement, though. Because this camera falls in the "advanced" category, aimed at the photo enthusiast/advanced photographer set, and because it is one of the most-used and important features for that kind of shooting, I can't rationalize away its mediocre build and performance and just love the dial anyway. Canon simply MUST improve on the next "SX" iteration's control dial--and I expect they will!
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