Overview
The Canon Powershot SX10 is an advanced, super zoom camera. It has a wide angle, 20x optical zoom lens and an impressive set of controls, including manual exposure and focusing. It also has a custom mode, flip out and twist LCD screen, hot shoe and image stabilisation.
Why Buy The Canon Powershot SX10 IS
In terms of picture quality this is one of the best super zoom cameras. Add in all the various controls and you have a very enticing packing for anyone who is serious about photography.
Main Features
Megapixels:
Zoom:
LCD Screen:
Dimensions:
Weight:
10
20x
2.5 inches
124.0 x 88.3 x 86.9mm
560g
Macro:
HD Movies:
Manual Controls:
Batteries:
Memory Cards:
0cm
No
Yes
AA
SD/SDHC
Image Quality - See Sample Images Below
Outdoor Scenic Shots in Good Light
After the composition of a shot my favourite aspect is the sharpness of the photo. When it comes to focusing I think Canon digital cameras continue to have the edge over the competition. The Powershot SX10 IS upholds that view with a series of sharp shots.
In my first outdoor shot the brickwork on the building in the centre of the photo is more or less pin sharp. There is only a small loss of sharpness as you move out towards the edges. The colours are powerful enough and the photo is one the best from a super zoom camera. Even the glare from the sun is handled surprisingly well.
Owing to the distance of this scene I think it is my toughest test shot. Here the Powershot SX10 IS delivers another above average shot when it comes to sharpness. With some cameras the left side of this shot can be very soft, but here sharpness is above average.
You can see just how close you can zoom in on the subject with a 20x zoom lens. Sharpness is good again. There is a small amount of purple fringing showing if you blow the picture up into a large print, but it compares well to the amount produced by other super zoom digital cameras.
My final outdoor scenic shot confirms my findings. Sharpness is again above average with minimal fall off as you reach out towards the edges. You should be able to create bright, colourful scenes with the Powershot SX10 IS.
Portraits
Working closer to the subject the Powershot SX10 IS is able to produce another sharp image. The colours are about right as well.
This is another example of how the better digital compacts are able to control the amount of flash light they produce. This leads to the colours being both stronger and also retaining a more natural feel.
I am happy with all three of my portrait shots. This final one is taken using window light. The definition in the photo is good and you may wish to experiment using natural light instead of flash from time to time.
Macro, Colours and Noise
A good quality macro shot says a lot about the quality of the lens. This camera has no minimum focusing distance and is more or less able to focus from right next to the subject. The Powershot SX10 IS should be able to take some excellent close up shots.
The colours have been consistent throughout my tests. They have plenty of punch and one thing you will not suffer from is washed out photos.
Although the top of the range Canon models handle ISO quite well there is still a loss of quality at ISO 400, especially in the darker areas of the shot. Quality falls away with each increase in ISO, so that at ISO 1600 there are high levels of noise across the picture.
Summary
In terms of picture quality I have no complaints. If I was looking for a super zoom digital camera based purely on picture quality this would be the one I would buy out of the models I have reviewed to date.
Style
This is one of the larger and heavier super zoom cameras. It is designed along the lines of a Digital SLR.
Shutter Lag Times
Single Shot
Five Shots
Single Shot With Flash
Five Shots With Flash
Turn on Time
0.32 seconds
8.15 seconds
0.52 seconds
11.95 seconds
2.34 seconds
Ease of Use
The reason for the difficult rating is the number of features Canon has built into the camera. To make the most of it you will need to spend some time learning how the camera works and what can be gained from the different controls.
Points I Like
Photo quality - features - flip out and twist LCD screen - optical zoom available for movies
Where it Could Improve
Camera has a plastic feel
Verdict
The Canon Powershot SX10 IS has the edge over other super zoom digital cameras when it comes to the sharpness of the pictures it produces. I have very few complaints about this camera and it is one for the shortlist if you are looking for plenty of zoom power.
Product Shots
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
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Related Pages
Canon Powershot SX10 IS Review Canon Powershot SX10 IS Specification Canon Powershot SX10 IS Sample Images Canon Powershot SX10 IS Features
Review Date
December 2008
