Canon PowerShot SX10 Digital Camera Review

Canon PowerShot SX10

Digital Camera Review

The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS is a sophisticated 10-megapixel point-and-shoot with a huge optical zoom range (out to 20x) that would be an arm-breaking burden on a digital SLR or 35mm camera, but in this size is a portable pleasure for grabbing far away close-ups. Combine that telephoto power with extensive manual control options and you have a camera that should appeal to outdoor photographers, paparazzi wannabes and even current SLR owners looking for long-range shooting possibilities without the size and weight of an SLR properly outfitted for the task. The SX10 is scheduled to ship in October for $499.99. Here's our first impression of the camera based on hands-on experience at the Photokina show in Cologne, Germany.
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Canon PowerShot SX10
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Canon PowerShot SX10

Viewfinder
The electronic viewfinder sits just above the LCD. It's nicely padded with soft plastic and is large enough that even those with long eyelashes should feel comfortable with it. The Display button toggle the view between the viewfinder and the LCD screen. There are two information display options for the electronic viewfinder, a relatively clean version or one overlaid with all the information you would get on the LCD, including a live histogram.


The digital viewfinder is nicely cushioned.

LCD Screen
The 2.5-inch LCD on the Canon PowerShot G10 is significantly smaller than the three-inch displays we're seeing on many high end point-and-shoot cameras and is unchanged from the SX5 IS. The combination of small size and mediocre 230,000-pixel resolution point to an area where we think Canon could have done better. We do like the way the display is mounted, though. The ability to pivot and swing the screen makes shots of unusual angles possible without a lot of bending, squatting or stretching, three of our least favorite things.


The LCD is small at only 2.5 inches diagonal.


Flash
The pop-up flash is located just above the lens on the front of the camera. You can open the flash with your hand or leave it on automatic, in which case it will pop up when needed when using automated shooting modes. The substantial height of the flash above the lens helps to reduce red-eye, a problem that smaller point-and-shoots with their flash right next to the lens frequently suffer from. In the Function Set menu of the SX10 IS you'll find an option to control the output intensity of the flash, a nice feature that we don't see very often.


The relatively high flash position helps minimize red-eye.

Lens
The most prominent feature on the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS is the 20x optical zoom lens. With a focal length of 5.0-100mm f/2.8-5.7 it's a step up from the lens found on the SX5 IS. The lens is a good fit for amateur nature photographers, peeping Toms and others who want to get close to their subject without getting too close.


The lens extends out even further when you start using the 20x optical zoom.

Connections
The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS's connections are fairly standard. On the right side you'll find two tethered plastic covers near the top. On the top, just below the neck strap tether you'll find the cover for the AC in and A/V out. On the left and slightly below that is a separate cover for the mini USB port. We're not sure why Canon didn't just go with a single cover for all three ports.




We're not sure why two separate compartments
were necessary for these three ports.

Battery
The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS takes four standard AA batteries. The battery bay is found on the bottom of the device and has a secure switch to open and close it. According to Canon four alkaline batteries will get you through approximately 340 shots, while nickel-metal hydride batteries will let you take around 600 shots.

 
The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS takes four AA batteries.
Memory
The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS supports SD cards, including high capacity SDHC cards up to 32GB. The memory card slot is found on the right side of the camera, inside it's own door.


The SX10 IS takes SDHC cards, currently available up to 32GB.


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