Conclusion
The Canon PowerShot TX1 has a lot going for it. It’s one of the smallest cameras with a 10x optical zoom lens, so it could compete with the likes of the Panasonic TZ3 and the Kodak V610. The TX1 has HD video recording capabilities, found on the Panasonic LX2 and the Sanyo Xacti HD2. The Canon PowerShot TX1 blows away the Panasonic with a much better frame rate and is about half the size and price of the Sanyo. The Canon TX1 has an optical image stabilization system that keeps pictures and movies shake-free. The movie mode can be accessed at any time with the handy movie button too.

The Canon TX1 is a great concept of a camera; it bridges the gap between digital cameras and camcorders with a real hybrid option that produces great results from both areas. It isn’t perfect though. The pre-production model I looked at warmed up after about 10 minutes and wasn’t burning my hands but had them getting sweaty. The camera body was quite heavy too, and off-balance when the LCD folded outward, making it hard to stabilize vertically with one hand. Perhaps my biggest concern is the battery. Its specs claim 160 still images, and I doubt that translates to lengthy video time. Canon claims that the videos can record for an hour at a time but I am skeptical that the battery will last even that long while continuously recording video.

The Canon PowerShot TX1 will cost $499 when it becomes available in the next month or two. I can’t draw final conclusions because the camera hasn’t been extensively tested in our lab, but I am of the persuasion that this model is very cool but needs its quirks worked out. I’d be hesitant to fork over $499 for it now, but I’d cross my fingers and hope for better battery power and less heat from future models.