Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera Review

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.
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