CameraFly

Camera Reviews from Amazon.com

• August 17, 2010
  Hands down the best hybrid camera I ever bought!

  

  When I bought this camera it was for the hybrid capabilities and the impressive array of features for the price class.
  
  Pros:
  - Awesome HD video quality
  - Powerful 20x optical zoom
  - Quality optical stabilizer
  - Quality construction
  
  Cons:
  - Only average image quality
  - Confusing settings and modes
  
  Summary:
  If you are looking for a very good hybrid cam that offers an impressive array of features but puts more emphasis on video quality then this is the perfect cam. Yes, the settings and modes can be a bit confusing but with a little usage they can be mastered.
  
  Brief Review:
  Frankly I bought this camera with the intention of taking still images with it but I also wanted 1080p video capability (in case I don't have my much more expensive video camera with me). After taking several hundred images I found the still image quality to be unimpressive (or about average).
  
  It was when I switched it to video mode that I was blown away. The quality and color depth when set to "vivid" preset was absolutely stunning! In fact, it was so good I immediately got rid of my dedicated video cam. Ironically, I love the video quality so much I have all but stopped taking pictures.
  
  
  
  
  

• May 7, 2010
  Great images, video, features and small size!

  

  Comparing to my previous EOS Elan, this camera is amazing! You have to try it!

• April 28, 2010
  SX1: the good & the bad

  

  I bought this to replace an S5IS, so I'll be comparing the 2 cameras. in some ways it is a better camera, but the old S5 still does a few things better.
  
  The good:
  HD Video: The 1080P movie capability is pretty awesome. Very few camcorders can do 1080P, but this camera does it, and does it pretty well. Movies are stable and look good, although a little jerky at times. The dedicated movie button is cool too.
  Rapid shooting: 5 frames per second at full res is pretty amazing - this is DSLR territory.
  LCD screen: the size and clarity are awesome, and the articulating feature is a must have for me. It would be perfect if not for the polarizing - see below.
  Build quality: This is the most solid camera of this type that I've used. DSLR like.
  
  The bad:
  Picture quality: Canon went with a CMOS sensor to increase the speed, and it is fast, but the picture quality suffers. It is still pretty good, but pictures from the old trusty S5 are better - less noise, crisper, more detailed.
  Controls: Canon went from increment buttons on the S5 to a thumb dial on the SX1. This is used to change ISO, shutter speed, aperture and other settings I regularly access. The dial is just fussy and hard to use.
  Lens: Here I am comparing it with an S5 with a 1.8X teleconverter, achieving similar magnification. The the S5 images are better in every way, clearer with less distortion and fringing.
  LCD screen: Great screen BUT, and this is a big one for me... it is polarized the wrong way! Arg. The S5 screen is polarized such that when wearing polarized sunglasses, you can clearly see the screen in landscape position. The SX1 screen is polarized 90 degrees off from the S5. In other words when looking at he screen in landscape position, it is totally black with polarized sunglasses. This is a big one for me, since I love polarized glasses, and like to be able to shoot without taking them off.
  HD aspect ratio. You have to switch the camera from 4:3 to 16:9 to shoot HD video. Kind of a hassle switching back and fourth when shooting video & photos.
  
  So I am using the SX1 mostly because of the HD feature. But aside from the build quality, HD, and still shooting speed, I prefer the old S5.