I just read a review that said this camera has a long “recycle” time on the flash. It said that you have to wait ten seconds after putting the flash up to use it. I can put the flash up and immediately take a picture with it. I don’t know if I am doing anything different, but it works for me. Also, I have never had problem with low light shooting. I have been able to get quite a few nice pictures in low light with this camera.
Copyright (c) 2009 Richard Walker
When buying a digital camera, you have either a choice to get a solid camera performer or a versatile shooter that can do many tricks, but still take good pictures. Here are two wonderful cameras that may suit one of your preferences and your budget as well.
Canon PowerShot SD880 IS
The Canon PowerShot SD880 IS is a slightly high-end camera that is priced around $250, which is not bad for a 10-megapixel shooter that has splendid photo quality. In fact, the sleek design and the photo quality alone is what makes this camera winner.
Features and Components
The excellent image quality is backed by the new DIGIC 4 Image Processor - the successor of the DIGIC III Image Processor found in the lower-end cameras. This is a combination of technologies that improve Face Detection, adds Servo AF, better corrects contrast, and captures enhanced photos. There is some noticeable fringing when photos are taken, but the new image processor makes the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS a powerful Canon PowerShot SX1IS 10MP Camera point and shoot camera even on automatic modes.
Advanced users will like the different shooting modes to capture all sorts of subjects and the 4x optical zoom can allow great high-resolution shots that don't look very pixilated. Like other Canon Cameras, the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS has the same Print/Share button that allows easy printing or sharing of photos.
Bottom Line
The Canon PowerShot SD880 may not have the best button placement for some, but it is a top performer in the point and shoot category.
Samsung i8
The Samsung i8 is a cheaper alternative that easily captivates in look. But it sacrifices a bit of the camera quality in exchange for adding fun features that a selected bunch will enjoy.
Features and Components
On the camera side, the Samsung i8 can take photos up to 8 megapixels. It has a decent image processor that can bump up the image clarity a bit and has some functions that can automatically correct the exposure or contrast balance. It also has 5 levels of sharpness, contrast, saturation for photo enthusiasts to get the perfect picture. The zoom function isn't very impressive, but the other features like Digital Image Stabilization and Face Detection should allow for some pretty impressive shots.
The Samsung i8 is able to play MP3s and supports SRS Wow HD and surround sound modes. Headphones can be plugged into the camera and the neat multitasking feature allows you to take pictures or view slideshows while jamming to the music. The only drawback to this is that it drains the battery much quicker.
Fortunately, the Samsung i8 doubles as a portable multimedia player as well and can play full-length movies as long as it fits in the card. It is also capable of reading certain text formats and comes with a World Tour Guide Information feature that provides useful information on destinations.
Bottom Line
Nothing really excels in the Samsung i8, but the combination of different features and exceptional camera functions make this multi-purpose device worth the $180.
Help answer the question about Canon PowerShot SX1IS 10MP Camera
Which Canon camera is the latest one on the commercials?
I haven't seen it for a few days, but there is a new Canon camera out. I went on their site and I found it, but I thought hey maybe ebay or amazon has it for a little bit cheaper. So I went to ebay and amazon. Now when I typed Canon PowerShot SX1IS 10MP Camera it into amazon I got 2 different ones, but pretty similar and priced differently. The 2 are:1. Canon PowerShot SX1IS 10 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.8-inch LCDand2. Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized ZoomOne is SX10IS and the other is SX1IS. I have info on both, I was just wondering if anyone has either or knows somebody who does and which one they recommend. Also, which is the one they are advertising on TV...number 1 or 2? Thanks for any type of info.
Watch the video related to Canon PowerShot SX1IS 10MP Camera
 | Canon PowerShot SX120IS 10MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Images Stabilized Zoom and 3-inch LCD USD $139.00 Order Now |
YouTube Videos
Related External Links
Kodak EASYSHARE C875 8MP Camera Free Important Tip
Sony Mavica MVC FD91 Digital Camera Roadmap
Nikon Coolpix 4600 4MP Camera information, prices, and auctions!
How come you should buy Sony Cybershot DSC-W170/R Camera
Sony Mavica MVC FD75 Digital Camera Useful Article
Kodak EASYSHARE Z1285 12MP Camera Free Interrelated Hint
Olympus FE-310 Camera Free Interesting Hint
Nikon Coolpix P80 10MP Camera auctions
Nikon Coolpix S700 12.1MP Camera Assistive Hint
Blog For Canon PowerShot SD400 Digital 5MP Camera
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I purchased the PowerShot SX1 IS for my daughter to use in her college classroom. She instructs at Ball State and likes to record short movies to share with her students. Her students are learning English as a second language. This camera is compact and with the 16 gig card can store tons of material. I also purchased two sets of rechargeable AA batteries. She will probably post lots of the movies on YouTube to share.
I just returned (last night) from a 12 day MIT alumni safari trip in Tanzania. I’ve been a serious amateur photographer for 50+ years, and had planned to take my Rebel xsi and two zoom lenses. I bought the sx1 3 months ago to evaluate it, and after many hours of using it, shooting test shots vs. the xsi, and traveling with it, I decided to take only the sx1 to Tanzania. Four people in our group had quality DSLRs and big lenses; one had an HD DVR. I am VERY happy that I chose to take the sx1. I got many more very good stills and HD videos than any one else. The DSLR people did get some exceptional stills that are better than anything the sx1 could do, but I knew that would be the case. My sx1 was always with me, always a second or two away from taking a quick shot, and even mixing stills and HD video simultaneously. I love that you can zoom while shooting video. I used Energizer “ultimate lithium” non-rechargeable AA batteries. I got 800 stills and 45 minutes of video on the first set before the “low battery” warning.
For me, reviews that point out that the sx1 image quality is not quite as good as a DSLR+lens that are 4x bigger and heavier are not helpful. It is true, and should be obvious. The big lenses are also better in dim light. In good light and mid-distance scenes, I can’t tell the difference in 8×10 images from my best DSLR and my pocket Canon SD970.
I had a choice of taking the sx1 on safari, with a total weight of 1.47 pounds including batteries, or the xsi plus a canon 17-85 and a sigma 50-500 zoom, total weight 7.05 pounds without cases and charger. The sx1 was more than worth the image quality tradeoff, and the ability to shoot HD video was a real bonus. I’m fairly new to video, but using PowerDirector I’m integrating stills and video, all 1080 HD quality, into a really attractive presentation.
I found that the Tamrac 5230 case was best for the sx1 on safari. I wore it on my belt, with the top unzipped (it has velcro and snap closures as well as the zipper). I put the spare batteries, lens cleaner, etc. in a big zip-lock bag and folded that in the bottom of the Tamrac, under the camera. The Tamrac would fit into the zip-lock bag in a downpour. I got an adapter (LensMate, I think), and kept a 58mm skylight filter on the lens, with no lens cap. I could wipe the filter clean quickly without worrying about scratching the lens. I kept a tiny tripod in the outer pouch of the Tamrac, and I was ready for anything.
If you are considering a camera in this size and price range, and you want the 20x zoom and HD video, you will love the sx1.
I love everything about this camera but its reliability. I’ve been really pleased with the HD video performance and was pleasantly surprised with how still images capture in such an extreme 20x zoom lens. The articulating screen is awesome and battery life has not been an issue due to AA accesibility. I was very happy at the thought of what I’d be able to accomplish with this camera on trips and was particularly excited to use during the holidays with family.
Where this camera fails in epic proportion is durabilty. My first SX1 lasted 3 weeks before it gave me the following error: “lens error, restart camera”. This was after 30 or so pictures, and 4 movies. Camera was never dropped or mishandled. Upon investigating online and forums, this seems to be an issue with both Japanese and US versions of this camera.
Well, maybe I’m just unlucky and eagerly returned for a second copy. Upon inserting batteries and attempting to turn on the camera for the first time, guess what error message displays on the LCD: “lens error, restart camera”.
Perhaps I am just very, very unfortunate to get this twice. But two times is enough for me. If you buy this camera, I hope you have better luck than I did.
After use it everyday for two months, I think I can say something.
the good:
1.- picture quality. CMOS sensor is realistic. The camera doesn’t add any make up to the picture. Same quality than the G9, with it’s 12.1MP CCD sensor. Noise appears at ISO 800 without flash. Personally, I never go that far in ISO selection. I prefer low ISO settings. This sensor do the job perfectly.
2.- speed. pretty fast stat up and continuous up to 4pps.
3.- impressive video quality. very good sound. No intrusion of zoom motor, neither in high speed zoom. Very precise and powerful zoom.
4.- built in flash turn on and off is easy. Simply raise it to fire it or leave it hiden if you want your picture natural. The camera will do the precice adjust so your picture is always good. (shake warning if too dark)
5.- wireless remote control is a must in entertainment cameras. this camera comes with one that can be used to control the player too. You can use it as a HDMI video player if you previously record the films in the card.
6.- vary angle 2.8″ LCD wide screen. very useful.
THE BAD:
1.- the lens cap: Easy to lost. It should have a small cord to hold it so you can let go right after take it off the lens. precious moments lost because you have to engage it to the neck strap. And if you don’t use the neck strap?…
2.- I almost always press accidentally the button “display” trying to open the screen. Need to be relocated.
3.- Lack of poketability: Spontaneous pictures lost. You have to decide whether you prefer to take this camera with you or leave it in the car… because it’s big and noticeable. My soon stop being itself when he notice the camera in my hands… you know.
4.- remote control: Easy to lost. It should came with a holder attached to the neck strap.
5.- have to set at one of the night modes to get more than one second of aperture. You can’t get it on speed priority mode.
6.- EVF is bad compared with the resolution in the main screen. but is useful if you want to capture the moment.
Over all, I really like it. The picture out of the CMOS sensor is another thing. It feels like a DSLR, as it’s the same sensor. Everybody likes it’s pictures and videos quality, resolution and brightness.
Upgraded from an older point and shoot Canon. Really researched this camera. So far, I love it. I’m used to the Canon menus, so using this camera was an easy change. Daytime pic’s are great. Night shots are challenging, but with a little experiimentation and a steady hand, I’ve taken some great pic’s. And the video mode in HD is amazing. Some have said the playback is jerky, I have a newer laptop and decktop PC, and the video is playback is fine. Great camera!
I have had this camera more than 2 years and I continue to be disappointed. It is good outdoors and for Video but indoors it is just bad. Don’t use the flash and your pictures have a 50 50 chance of turning out. Use the flash and it is ungodly slow. I have had 100 dollar cameras that warm up quicker. I will keep this camera for videos and buy another for photos. I miss out on way to many photos waiting on this camera flash to be ready or just to warm up for the next photo. I tried several different sd cards thinking it was slow because of them but it has made no difference. I read here that people like how small it is. It is not that small.
Pros for me
Good outdoor photos
Good video clips
AA batteries(use enerloops)
Cons
SLOOOOOOW
bad indoor photos
kind of bulky
I got this camera as a gift for Christmas a few years ago after doing a lot of research. I am into taking somewhat artsy photos, but am not fimilar with all the different settings and options it requires to take a great picture, so I thought this would be a great camera for me as it seemed pretty simply to figure out. I guess I was looking for something with similar features to a digital slr without the size (and price). I think this camera probably is compareable to that, but I feel like unless you really know what you are doing, or take time to memorize the manual, it is really hard to get what you are looking for when taking a photo. There have been several instances where I’ve had the manual out, testing out a setting, only to forget it the next time I use my camera. It was a little disappointing to say the least, as I would have liked to used this as a “regular” shot camera as well as some art type shots, but mostly have just used it for the latter.
Another con to this camera is the flash takes rediculously long to recycle. I have used the camera a lot to take photos of friends and whatnot, and a lot of times you sit there for what seems like forever for the picture to actually be taken because the flash takes soooo long. Several times I have missed a great shot because of this, and it’s really annoying when trying to take a photo of someone as they are standing there for so long waiting for the picture to be taken. It really makes it hard to capture the “moment” in a photograph.
Besides my two complaints, overall this camera takes great photographs and video. I think I would recommend this camera for someone who is more fimilar with the different settings (shutter speed, iso, all that technical stuff) or someone who will be able to take the time to learn them. Thank god for the “auto” feature. I do get some really great pictures from this camera, though.
You must log in to post a comment.