Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

Overview

The SX1 is not a small camera; at 5 x 3.48 x 3.45 inches, it's not going to fit into a pocket. This is a camera that's going to hang around your neck, but at least it's not too heavy. At around 22 pounds, it shouldn't give you neck strain.

The SX1 is a large and rather bulky camera

Front

The standout feature on the front of the SX1 (literally) is the lens; the large lens barrel protrudes from the camera body by a full inch and a half. Above and to the right of the lens is the AF illuminator, then two microphones underneath the small, circular grilles. Above the text identifying the camcorder is the remote control receiver. On the top of the sizable grip is the combined shutter button and zoom control.

The lens is the biggest feature on the front of the SX1

Back

On the back, the main feature is the LCD screen, which is on a rotating panel shown in the closed position below. Above this (from the left to right) is the print button, the standard def/high def mode button for video recording, the viewfinder, the video recording button and a series of buttons that control playback, exposure compensation and the focus points. Below these is the 4-way control button, which doubles as menu navigation as well as controlling focus, macro, ISO and self-timer features. At the bottom are two other buttons; one for switching between the viewfinder and the LCD screen, and one that opens on the on-screen menu.

The LCD screen is on a rotating panel

Sides

There are a few features on the side of the SX1; on the left side is a grille that covers a small speaker. You can also see the hinge mechanism for the screen.

The grille covers a small speaker

The right side is where the various ports and sockets call home. At the bottom is the cover for the SDHC card socket, then a rubber cover over the multi port and the HDMI mini port. At the top is a single cover that keeps the power socket and analog A/V output warm.

The various ports and sockets are located on the right side

Top

The top is where a lot of the action happens for the controls; from the left we have a button for controlling the flash and for adding voice memos to photos, the flash shoe, the mode control dial, the on/off button and the combined shutter and zoom control.

The shutter button is lcoated at the top right side of the camera body

Bottom

There are only two major things to see on the bottom of the SX1; the cover to the battery compartment and the tripod socket.

The bottom of the SX1