Canon PowerShot SX1 IS was presented first time at Photokina 2008 along side with its younger brother SX10 IS both successors of very popular Canon S5 IS camera.  Both models have 20x optical zoom (28-560mm) but model SX1 instead CCD has CMOS sensor and support for recording of video in Full HD resolution. This feature sets Canon PowerShot SX1 IS apart from all other cameras at this moment.

 

Design

Camera is packed into quality built plastics chassis, very compact, which is not big surprise since Canon categorized this camera as Digital Compact Camera. With rounded edges is looks like some compact dSLR camera but heritage of Canon S5 IS model is obvious. Lens chassis is made out of aluminum and as confirmation of built quality can serve you the fact that Canon PowerShot SX1 IS is heavier than Canon EOS 450D dSLR camera for about 100 grams. Grip, although deep enough, it is not wide enough so there may be some problems with ergonomics if you have bigger hands.

Controls layout is great. All buttons are easily accessible except navigational ring with four buttons that is accessible only if you hold camera with both hands. At the top side there are: on/off button, mode selection rotating button, shutter button with zoom ring, flash mode switch and electronic viewfinder which is almost useless because of low resolution (148.000 pixels). Back side is dominated by large 2.8 inch rotating LCD screen with 16:9 ratio and 230.000 pixels resolution. On the right from it are located additional commands like mentioned navigational ring with four buttons. There is also button that is used for switching from standard to 16:9 picture ratio and red video recording button. Besides, even on this camera is present not widely used Direct Print feature button that can be also used for setting higher ISO values if ISO shift option is enabled in menus. On the front side, as expected, dominates large lens but there also can be found: two microphones, autofocus lamp and IR sensor that is used by remote controller also present in the package. Slot for SD/SDHC memory cards, USB, HDMI and A/V connectors are located on the right side (at hand grip) while 4 AA batteries are placed at the bottom of the grip. On the bottom side is also present tripod mounting screw thread. Thanks to present hot shoe you can use external flashes and support for Canon SppedLite flashes (220EX, 430EX, 580EX, 580EX II) is perfect. Because of this you can adjust many options through menus and we tested these options with an 580EX flash which operated without a hitch. Of course there is integrated flash but we found that its position is not too wisely designed because it sits too close to lens so some shadows can occur if you use macro mode with this flash.