Canon PowerShot TX1 Digital Camera Review

Value (5.75)
Canon priced the TX1 at an expensive $499. Sure, it has a lot of cool features – but is it worth it? If you want to shoot high-definition videos, the Canon TX1 is the most compact device out there but its video quality is a far cry from high definition camcorders. The camera seems to be designed for the occasional, spontaneous video-worthy moment, but there are much cheaper point-and-shoot options for that.

Users who are looking for a good hybrid digital camera so they don’t have to purchase a camcorder may be disappointed. It isn’t a great camera. And it isn’t a good camcorder either: the poor compression, inability to properly handle motion, noisy footage, weak battery, poor handling, and massive video files that crowd memory cards are all problematic. By the time users buy the camera and essential memory card and extra battery, the cost goes up to at least $627 (see battery section for equation).

Comparisons
Canon PowerShot S5 IS – The S5 IS weighs about a pound and measures a chunky 4.6 x 3.2 x 3.1 inches; it won’t fit in a pocket. Though it doesn’t record in high definition, it is still a good pick as a hybrid model. It records standard 640 x 480-pixel video at 30 fps but has similar perks as the TX1, such as stereo audio, a wind diffuser, and selectable audio sampling rates. It has a 12x optical zoom lens with an optical image stabilization system and a wider f/2.7 max aperture that lets in lots of light. If the TX1 makes you feel a little claustrophobic, the Canon S5 may be a better fit. It has a 0.33-inch electronic viewfinder and a 2.5-inch, 207k-pixel LCD screen. The 8-megapixel camera has dual recording buttons like the TX1 for snapping full resolution still images while recording movies. Still imaging is more of a priority on this digital camera too - there is a full range of manual, priority, automatic and scene modes. Unfortunately, like the TX1, the S5’s movie mode is limited by a few factors: it stops recording after an hour or a 4GB SD card is filled and the 4 AA batteries only last 170 shots if alkaline or 450 shots if NiMH. The Canon PowerShot S5 IS retails for $499.

Casio Exilim EX-V7 – This 7.2-megapixel digital camera shoots widescreen videos, has 33 still scene modes, and a 7x optical zoom lens in an inch-thick metal body. It is held like a traditional camera and has a vertically oriented zoom lever on its back. It does not have dual recording buttons like the Canon TX1 nor does it have the high definition designation. Still, its widescreen videos record at 848 x 480 pixels and capture 30 fps. Casio flaunts a H.264 video encoding method that stores up to 1.5x more video in the same amount of space without losing quality, according to the company. The internal 7x optical zoom lens is functional while recording video and so is the stereo audio. There is an optical image stabilization system, video editing, and an option to print slides of movies. The V7 has a list of still imaging specs like a 3 fps burst, 64-800 ISO range, and lots of color effects. The Casio V7 has a 2.5-inch LCD screen with 230,000 pixels. Its flash, which only reaches 7.2 feet, isn’t very effective at all. The V7 comes with a camera cradle, a lithium-ion battery that lasts 240 shots, and a $399 retail price tag.

Kodak EasyShare V610 – This digital camera knocks traditional design rules but not in a pistol grip sort of way. Instead, Kodak fit a 10x internal lens into a 0.9-inch metal body by dividing the zoom between two lenses measuring 38-114mm and 130-380mm. Sure, the total zoom is 38-380mm, but there is a noticeable jump between 114mm and 130mm. This is quite jarring while recording movies. The Kodak V610 records standard 640 x 480 and 320 x 240-pixel movies at 30 fps and can snap 6.1-megapixel pictures – although not at the same time. The videos are recorded as MPEG-4 files, can be divided in the camera, and play back on computers using Quick Time. The V610 only has digital image stabilization that doesn’t work nearly as well as the Canon TX1’s optical stabilization.

With a slew of automatic modes and options, consumers who seek manual control will need to pass by this camera. It offers a meager ISO range up to 800, has only a few white balance settings, and takes way too long to take pictures and process them. The Kodak V610 has 32 MB of internal memory and a slot for SD, SDHC, and MMC media. The V610 also has Bluetooth wireless technology that transfers images at a rate of 3 Mbps. The 2.8-inch, 230k LCD screen on the back gives users a great view along with the simple interface. The camera originally retailed for $449 but can now easily be found for under $350.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 – This 7.2-megapixel digital camera looks more like a traditional camera and has a 10x optically stabilized zoom lens. The lens has a wider 28-280mm angle, so users can fit more people in the front line of group shots. The lens also lets in a little more light than the TX1 with a f/3.3 aperture. The lithium-ion battery lasts longer at 270 shots, but most batteries last longer than the Canon TX1’s. This camera is a little chunkier at 4.2 x 2.37 x 1.47 inches and weighs about a half-pound. It accepts SD media and has 12.7 MB of internal memory too. It has similar automatic still exposure modes and a movie mode that records standard and widescreen videos. The 848 x 480-pixel resolution records at 30 fps, but still isn’t defined as high definition like the TX1. The Panasonic TZ3 has an enormous 3-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD screen. The body comes in three colors: black, silver, and blue. It retails for $349.

Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 – This hybrid device is marketed as a camcorder with camera abilities, whereas the Canon is touted as a digital camera with a side of high-definition. Announced in January 2007, the HD2 snaps 7-megapixel still images and records high-definition video in MPEG-4 format. The 10x lens is fully functional in the movie mode, although it isn’t as quick as the Canon TX1’s zoom. The Sanyo HD2 has optical image stabilization that will steady video and is necessary considering the camera’s awkward design.

The HD2 has a similar vertical pistol grip design and a larger 2.2-inch LCD screen that folds out from the side. The HD2 is bigger and top-heavy, so it has an even worse tipping problem when the LCD screen is open. It records longer clips up to 3 hours and they can be cut or joined in the playback mode. The Canon TX1 only allows files to be cut. The Sanyo HD2 has stereo audio but subjects have to be very close to the camera for it to be picked up unless there’s an external microphone attached. Like the TX1, the Sanyo digital camera is equipped with separate still and video capture buttons. Some of the still capabilities include ISO up to 1600, 4 presets, and a custom white balance mode. There is a pop-up flash unit at the top too. The Sanyo Xacti HD2 has lots of nice features but they still don’t justify the high $700 price tag.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2 – Sony announced this hybrid digital camera in January 2006 and hasn’t followed it up since. That should say something about its success. The M2 has a vertical build but doesn’t have a pistol grip design like the Canon TX1. Instead, it is similar in shape to a cell phone. The 5.1-megapixel digital camera has a movie mode with editing features, stereo audio, and functional 3x optical zoom. The M2 includes still and video recording modes along with an interesting mode that records 5 seconds of video, snaps a full-resolution shot, and then records another 3 seconds of video. This is about the equivalent of Canon’s system that allows stills to be snapped while shooting video; the Canon stutters, the Sony stops. A larger 2.5-inch LCD screen is helpful, although it folds to one side and throws off the balance. Sony’s M2 has 57 MB of internal memory, but requires a Memory Stick Duo Pro card to record 30 fps movies. It doesn’t shoot in high definition either - it records only the standard 640 x 480 pixels. The Sony M2 originally retailed for $499 but is hard to find anywhere now.



Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100 – Coming in a host of swanky colors, the Sony T100 is very skinny and offers high-definition output. In true Sony style though, consumers have to purchase an extra HD cable for $40. And if they want to record 30 fps video, an extra Memory Stick Duo Pro card is required. The 8.1-megapixel Sony T100 has an internal 5x optical zoom lens with image stabilization and is fully functional while recording video. Widescreen movies aren’t an option, but the standard 640 x 480-pixel movies are available. The movies themselves aren’t high definition, but the audio is decent, color filters can be applied, and the white balance and exposure can be controlled. The Sony T100 has an equally effective face recognition auto focus system and a larger 3-inch LCD screen with 230,000 pixels. This Cyber-shot measures 0.9 inches wide and has a more efficient 340-shot lithium-ion battery. Its burst mode snaps away at 2.2 fps. The T100 can play back slide shows with interesting transitions and four soundtracks - these can be played back on an HDTV too. The soundtracks can be changed with the included software. The Sony Cyber-shot T100 sells for $399.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – These consumers will appreciate the automated modes and the extra perk of shooting high definition video from a camera that fits in a pocket.

Budget Consumers – At $499, these consumers will have to wait until the next high-definition model comes out and the TX1s are marked down.

Gadget Freaks – The first compact digital camera to include high definition video is truly a gadget freak’s dream. A 10x lens in a tiny pistol grip-type body along with face detection and image stabilization also make the TX1 one of the best gadget cameras of 2007.

Manual Control Freaks – The Canon PowerShot TX1 won’t fulfill all your dreams. Search on, manual control freaks.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists – Professional photographers won’t give the automated TX1 a look. Professional filmmakers won’t look either, despite the high definition video, as the battery doesn’t last long, it records only to an hour, and doesn’t accept cards bigger than 4 GB.