Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Review: Consider the SX10 instead?

On paper the Canon Powershot SX1 IS looks to be a much better verion of their Powershot SX10 IS, adding full 1080 HD video and RAW capabilities, and switching out the SX10 IS’ CCD sensor with the CMOS variety (rare in compacts) in the SX1 IS. Meanwhile both cameras share the incredibly versatile 28-560mm 20x zoom lens. The SX1 will set you back about $600, which clearly is getting into DSLR territory. That SX10 IS is “only” $370.

But the SX1 IS is a much better camera right? Err… maybe not. DPReview has posted a review of the SX1 IS and come away less than thrilled:

Once in hand, the SX1 IS cannot deliver on the promise of the CMOS sensor (which Canon is known for in their EOS range of DSLR cameras). Image quality, while not terrible is actually slightly worse then the much cheaper SX10 IS, and high ISO noise performance is firmly in compact territory. As much as it tries to be DSLR junior, as soon as you see the images you know that it is not.

-DPReview

Again, the better option might be a DSLR, as I’ve explained here. Otherwise a smarter option here might be the SX10 IS.

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS at Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama.

Canon PowerShot SX10 IS at  Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama.

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