Canon SX1-IS vs. Canon SD970 ELPH

[MAGICX2]

Trying to decide between these two point and shoots. Any pros/cons? Any suggestions?
I will also be purchasing the Canon D10 underwater camera.
TIA

 

[VVFF]

Trying to decide between these two point and shoots. Any pros/cons? Any suggestions?
I will also be purchasing the Canon D10 underwater camera.
TIA

They're pretty different...I would think the choice would be fairly obvious depending on your needs. Need manual controls? SX-10. Need Long zooom range? SX-10. Need it to be pocketable? SD970. Need the absolute best movies possible? SX-1. Cost a concern? SD970 or SX10.

 

[MAGICX2]

They're pretty different...

I guess I thought they were fairly similar except the body style. When I printed out the spec sheets on both models they seemed very similar. They had all the same features. Main difference was the zoom, SX 10 won that one hands down.

 

[VVFF]

I guess I thought they were fairly similar except the body style. When I printed out the spec sheets on both models they seemed very similar. They had all the same features. Main difference was the zoom, SX 10 won that one hands down.

So what is more important to you? Portability or zoom?

 

[MAGICX2]

So what is more important to you? Portability or zoom?

In my previous post (where I quoted you) I guess I was looking for more of an explaination of the major differences you eluded to. What do you think makes them "very different?"

By the way, I would like to have a great zoom AND portability.

 

[VVFF]

In my previous post (where I quoted you) I guess I was looking for more of an explaination of the major differences you eluded to. What do you think makes them "very different?"

By the way, I would like to have a great zoom AND portability.

They are very different for the following reasons:


SD970 series is a compact P&S that has limited zoom range
SX1 is fairly bulky with a large zoom range
SD970 will typically more problems with red eye and less flash range
SD970 will have few/no manual controls
The SX1 and SX10 both go to a wider focal length and have a lower F-stop
The SD970 has a slightly higher MP count which may lead to higher noise at high ISO
The SD970 also has a better LCD display but lacks a viewfinder,
SX1 does full 1080p movies, SD970 does 720p
SX1 has better macro and longer battery life(but takes AA instead of a rechargeable proprietary battery)
The SX1 is $200 more expensive than the SD970

I think those differences qualifies it as "very different"

 

[k5jm]

I got my SX1IS about 8 weeks ago and love it. It is my back-up to my DSLR. It takes great pictures up to ISO 100. You start to get grainy at ISO 200 when indoors. The HD video is great along with the SD video. I would get a minimum of a Class 6, 16gb SDHC card for your media and make sure you have plenty of AA batteries.

I still use my XTI and my main camera (Until I upgrade that to a 5DMk2). But the SX1IS (along with a good flash) does great as a back-up or even a main if you do not have a DSLR.

Here is sample of the zoom capability of the SX1 IS

From the Beach at the Poly zoomed out to 28mm:

Same location zoomed in to approx 520mm:

The one below was taken about 25 feet away from the dragonfly and zoomed in at about 500mm.

Yes, The SX1 is worth it. But something to remember, SX10 is essentially the same camera without the HD. I also love taking pictures in the Wide Picture format that is available in the SX1.