Good HD camcorder, even digital camera

I received the camera 2 weeks ago. It was clear that a 1 / 2.3 inch CMOS sensor is less than 10 Mpixel more noise generator for image sensor. The physics applies just as well for Canon. And, as expected, with good lighting conditions, up to ISO 200, you get quite usable images, for all other post is announced and the results require a certain willingness to compromise. My main interest in ordering the SX1, however, was the full-HD video function. But first, the photo feature:

I can compare the camera with a few other cameras with identical motifs and lighting conditions. For a DSLR (Canon EOS350) or bridge camera with a large sensor (Fuji S100 FS), the results are sobering up staggering. Compared to a Panasonic TZ5 and Canon S5 IS, the results are at least equal, a Casio F1 is superior to the SX1. Unfortunately I have no Panasonic FZ28 can muster, the comparison would have been certainly interesting. A comparison with the SX10 would be exciting, I would expect the SX10 is superior in the photo the SX1 (a CMOS sensor rushes in principle now times more than an equal CCD sensor with an identical nominal resolution). But do not worry, just these comparisons will be shortly available from the testing professionals with security.

Pronounced positively surprised I am, however, that Canon apparently does not follow the current trend, excessively destructive to denoise so that in the pictures but a few details are still included, which are sacrificed with other cameras of noise reduction. My bad example is the Casio F1 (see review), despite the large sensor with only 6 Mpixel wegbügelt all details. In the SX1 I want to offer it in post-production in their own hands, if I want at the price of increased noise for details, or low noise. Advantage: one can decide partially within the image also. Images of the quality of a Casio F1 can take the SX1 and subsequent post (interference filters for individual flavor, general direction: the more the better) but easily obtained.

All this would be no reason to keep this camera, because there are much better for the same price. The decisive feature is the HD video mode. This really can make videos, which can also withstand a comparison with a "real" HD camcorders good HD. I had a Panasonic HDC-SD9 for comparison, both images and sound were nearly equivalent, the SX1 tended surprisingly rather less artifacts than the HDC-SD9 with my comparison videos. The greatest disadvantage of the SX1 is the sluggish focus, but that will certainly never change a manufacturer who wishes to sell camcorder. A big advantage over the HDC-SD9 is that it is possible from the video extract really useful stills (2 Mpixel) that allow very handsome 10 * 15 prints (for detail). Even some 13 * 18 prints look as if they came from a good digital camera. Mind you, I'm talking about subsequently extracted stills from a video! So you can shoot without remorse and has still something for the family album. Of course you can also make a 'real' photo during filming, but since I usually meet at least ere always exactly the wrong moment ...

My (certainly incomplete) list of essential characteristics:

Pro:
- Good Full HD video function
- In good lighting conditions (up to max. ISO 200, including better remain) usable photos
- Effective image stabilization
- Little destructive Entrauschungsalgorithmus, allows individual post
- Good, intuitive operation
- Plenty of manual intervention options
- For a 20x zoom camera quite fast
- Up to 4 frames per second in full resolution until the card is full or the battery is empty, no additional storage time, such as at the Casio F1
- AA batteries instead of expensive Li-ion as the competition
- Adjustable display image clearly visible even in sunlight. Who has something really used once, it is no longer like to miss.
- Compared to Panasonic's AVCHD format and the associated paraphernalia ease of use and management of HD video on your PC, but also for current hardware is required (Canon says: 2.6 GHz Core 2 Duo with 2GB RAM, 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM and Windows XP you go as well). I have each used the software provided by the manufacturer. Good news: you do not have, like Panasonic, to be an administrator to view videos. Attention: Real video editing I have not yet tried, still a sticking point could be.

Con:
- As a photo-camera in low light is not really usable, video noise in low light.
- For continuous autofocus tendency to 'pump'
- Poor autofocus in low light.
- Weak intimately is necessary for Full HD Video 16: 9 aspect ratio adjustment automatically used for photos. Who are not careful there, has either 16: 9 or VGA photos instead full HD videos.
- Battery life seems somewhat limited: 1 set of freshly charged Eneloops (2000 mAh) have just 150 photos (about 30 with flash), 10 min. Video, and the usual setup of a new device survives.
- Electronic viewfinder is a joke (very low resolution), which gave it 5 years ago better
- HD video file sizes in the SX1: 5.5 Mbyte / sec, approximately 3 times larger than the HDC-SD9. Under 16 GB memory card you should not start with video ambitions, that's enough then just for very just under an hour.

My Conclusion:

The SX1 is a mediocre photo camera, combined with a very useful HD camcorder. Considering the fact that an HD camcorder will never even come close to producing good photos as the SX1, the SX1 is currently certainly not optimal, but probably the best combination of both worlds photo and HD video in 500 Euro price range, but only for good lighting conditions.

Who just wants to seriously take pictures, should stay away from the SX1 or even specify a secondary camera for this request. Who, however, HD video is important finds in the SX1 a useful combination product for photo and video in bright light. The SX1 is the best camcorder I've ever had, and, with certain restrictions, to use even for photographing. As such, it therefore fulfilled my expectations completely, the 4 stars. As a pure photo camera she deserved for the called price at best 2 star.