With a 20x zoom, the Canon SX10 IS offers some appeal to the point and shoot crowd looking for a camera that can give a little more reach than the typical point and shoot. It also brings Canon up to speed in the world of the ultra zoom point and shoot. Behind the 28-560mm lens is a 10 megapixel CCD sensor that should be more than adequate. The SX10 IS also offers VGA quality video recording and a flip out screen for framing your next photo or video. The screen can move in almost any direction, including toward the subject for easier self portraits or timer shots off of a tripod and offers 100% coverage of the frame.

Standout features

• 20x zoom lens with a 28-560mm equivalent range
• VGA quality video
• 10 megapixel CCD sensor
• Rotating flip out screen

Features

The SX10 IS seems to be built to appeal to both experienced and novice photographers, offering full automatic or full manual controls. Canon has incorporated a bevy of technologies to help the user achieve better results. Motion Detection Technology can be used to have the camera automatically adjust the ISO to reduce blurring in moving objects. Also built into the camera is an Optical Image Stabilizer as well as Face Detection Technology. The SX10 IS also offers a wide range of exposure options with shutter speeds of 15 seconds to 1/3200 second available as well as apertures of 2.8 to 8. The ISO range is typical of the class, with a range of 80-1600 and an optional 3200 at a reduced resolution.

The SX10 IS also has an easy to use design. Make use of the viewfinder for those longer range shots or on a sunny day. Controls and menu options are easily accessible with one hand via the thumb dial on the backside of the camera or the zoom toggle placed around the shutter button. Change modes quickly with the mode dial on the top side of the camera.

Stereo microphones have been built into the SX10 IS just above the lens for a more authentic audio recording. Also useful is the built in flash, the hot shoe for an accessory flash and the macro focusing option. The camera is powered by AA batteries, so there is no need for expensive or difficult to find replacements. Canon rates the camera as getting 340 shots with alkaline batteries or 600 shots with NiMH rechargeable batteries.

Summary of Reviews from Across the Internet

Experts have liked the autofocus speed of the SX10 IS as well as the flash range, battery life, image quality and color reproduction. Reviewers were disappointed with the minimum aperture when the camera is zoomed in. While the competition can step down to f/4.5 or better, the minimum aperture for the SX10 IS is 5.7 when using the 560mm lens.

Summary

Users have enjoyed the large zoom range and the 28mm wide lens. Customers wrote positively about the improved image quality over older models. One disappointment however was the .MOV video files that cannot be edited in Windows Movie Maker.
 

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