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Canon PowerShot SX10 IS

Discontinued
Reviewed
December 2009
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Canon PowerShot SX10 IS

Pros
  • 20x zoom lens
  • Optical image stabilization
  • Extensive focal length range
  • Very good photo quality
Cons
  • Unreliable autofocus
  • No RAW support
  • No HD video
  • No internal memory
 
 
Where to Buy
 
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The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS wins accolades from reviewers and users as a robust and versatile camera. The Canon SX10 has plenty of upgrades, among them a faster processor and 10 megapixels. Most notable, however, is the whopping 20x zoom lens with a 28 mm wide angle, so it's great for close-ups and panoramic shots. Like other cameras in its class, the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS's zoom has optical image stabilization to reduce image blur in the upper telephoto ranges. Fast shutter speeds include a 1.5-second power-up and shoot speed, as well as nearly instantaneous pre-focus shutter snap. The hefty Canon PowerShot SX10 IS weighs 19.8 ounces, as much as some digital single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras. Reviewers also criticize the lack of RAW support and HD movies. Other common denominators among expert and user reviews include imprecise autofocus, problems shooting in low-light conditions, and some image artifacts -- although overall, image quality rates highly.

CNET, Imaging-Resource.com, DCResource.com and DPReview.com offer the most in-depth testing and evaluations of the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS. ConsumerReports.org includes the SX10 in its comprehensive digital camera report. Topping off our sources are reviews at Amazon.com that reveal problems experienced by a wide range of users over an extended period of time.

Where To Buy
 
 
Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

 (464 reviews)
Buy new: $399.99   38 Used & new from $200.50
 
 
 

Our Sources

1. CNET

The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS is one of the top-ranked ultra-zoom cameras reviewed at CNET. Editor Lori Grunin says it's "a nice evolution of the megazoom," with its improvements offering "an attractive option" for users. However, Grunin laments the lack of RAW support and HD video, and in her tests, the auto-focus isn't always accurate.

Review: Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, Lori Grunin, March 23, 2009

2. Imaging-Resource.com

Editors at Imaging-Resource.com find the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS to be "a superb image maker," even in light of some noise at all ISO settings. Nonetheless, the camera has a great zoom and solid optical quality, and it produces photos with unusually sharp edges.

Review: Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, Andrew Alexander, Mike Tomkins and Shawn Barnett, April 15, 2009

3. DCResource.com

Jeff Keller favorably reviews the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, especially for its whopping 20x zoom lens and extensive focal range, variable LCD screen and full manual controls, to name a few features. Like other reviewers, he concurs that the SX10 suffers from visible noise reduction and detail loss in some ISO ranges.

Review: DCRP Review: Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, Jeff Keller, Aug. 11, 2009

4. DPReview.com

The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS is considered one of the best in its class. Editors like the great image quality, excellent feature list, first-rate electronic viewfinder and big zoom range. Drawbacks include the bulky size, lagging lens speed at high telephoto ranges and slow focus in low-light conditions.

Review: 'Super Zoom' Camera Group Test: Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, Editors of DPReview.com, Jan. 15, 2009

5. ConsumerReports.org

While not nearly as detailed as photography sites, ConsumerReports.org nonetheless conducts rigorous tests and evaluates key performance features. The handy rankings chart of ultra-zoom cameras includes the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS.

Review: Digital Cameras, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

6. Amazon.com

More than 430 users post comments about the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, with the majority praising its powerful lens and breadth of features. Complaints include image noise, issues with autofocus in low light, bulky weight, and lack of lens cap attachment. Overall, users consider it a great camera and an excellent alternative to an SLR.

Review: Canon PowerShot SX10IS, Contributors to Amazon.com

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