Canon SX10

[VVFF]

Well I did it. I ordered the SX10. Thanks for the links & the 15% cashback info.

I need another camera like I need a hole in the head. Its time to sell off some of the older ones I think.

Congratulations! Make sure you share pictures with us! I really do enjoy taking a look at how others shoot as we all have our own style whether we realize it or not. I've been trying to break out of my "photography shell" recently...very hard.

Good shooting!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I did some experimenting over the weekend, trying my S3 vs my SX10. And I finally had that "duh!" moment as to why I'm so disappointed with the SX10 in low light. While both cameras have F2.8 when they're at their widest, once you start to zoom you lose the aperture: fully zoomed, the S3 has F3.5 while the SX10 only has F5.7. And since the SX10 starts out at 28mm vs. the S3 at 36mm, you begin to "lose" aperture sooner on the SX10 (for want of a better way to phrase it). In bright daylight, however, the only real difference between the 2 cameras is the zoom.

I know what you mean. FYI this happens also on dSLR zoom lenses that don't have a fixed aperture, like, say, a 50-200mm f/2.8, which is why those are very expensive (but worth the investment).

I'm still going to play around with the SX10 for a while and see if I might be able to get better photos in low light, but I think in that respect the S3 has the SX10 beat by a mile. DH and I are hoping for a nice "couples only" vacation next fall, and at this point I'm not sure I'll want to take my SX10; I might go back to my trusty S3. It's either that or carry both cameras with me, the SX10 for its zoom in bright light, and the S3 for low-light conditions. But if I'm going to carry both cameras, I might as well make the leap to a dSLR and carry all that other gear. But I really don't want to lug all that stuff around with me, which is why I've been holding out against getting a dSLR. Decisions, decisions.

Come to the dark side...

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I have had an S3 IS for about 3 years now. It's gotten a lot of use, and I keep it in my purse as a backup to my dSLR. That thing has taken a lot of abuse and is beginning to have some problems, but I'm in the process of buying another (gently used) S3 because it's a great camera. I guess my point to Silent is, why buy another camera if you like your S3 and it's working well for you?

 

[AlienBrain]

Hey, I was in Pittsburgh about a year ago. Here are some similar pics from my Rebel XTi. I forget what lens I was using. I think it was my friend's lens (not that high quality). Also, it looks like the time of day was different. I think the SX10 looks to have some pretty good IQ.

 

[Silent1CB]

I have had an S3 IS for about 3 years now. It's gotten a lot of use, and I keep it in my purse as a backup to my dSLR. That thing has taken a lot of abuse and is beginning to have some problems, but I'm in the process of buying another (gently used) S3 because it's a great camera. I guess my point to Silent is, why buy another camera if you like your S3 and it's working well for you?

I ended up buying the SX10 last night online. I tend to visit lots of places where more zoom would really come in handy although the zoom on the S3 is nothing to sneeze at.

For some people its shoes or handbags, us, its electronics & gadgets. I do know that newer isn't always better. I'll try it out. If I don't like it, I'll just return it.

 

[Amy]

Come to the dark side...

Ah Linda, you know I've been going back and forth on this issue for a LONG time! I've been reading the Canon message boards about the SX10, and there was a thread titled something like "SX10 Owners - Are You Ready to Make the Leap to an SLR?" Lots of lively discussion, mostly how using M mode will prepare you for an SLR and that kind of stuff. But there were also quite a few posts from people who have dSLR's and downsized to the SX10 because they were tired of lugging all that gear around.

I used to have a film SLR - a Pentax ME Super. Still have it, plus flash and lenses. I used it a LOT until my boys were born, then I got tired of lugging a diaper bag and all that camera gear, plus I missed a lot of shots because I had to get out the camera, attach the right lens and the flash, focus, etc., etc. I switched to using those "110" film cameras if you remember them, and used them until digital came along. My experience with that is what's making me hesitate to take the dSLR leap now. I'm not getting any younger; do I want to haul all that gear, or do I want to travel light?

 

[Amy]

Hey, I was in Pittsburgh about a year ago. Here are some similar pics from my Rebel XTi. I forget what lens I was using. I think it was my friend's lens (not that high quality). Also, it looks like the time of day was different. I think the SX10 looks to have some pretty good IQ.

Hey there AlienBrain! Hope you enjoyed our city! Looks like you and I were standing near the same spot for our photos - near the statue of George Washington and the Indian during their peace talks?

 

[Amy]

I ended up buying the SX10 last night online. I tend to visit lots of places where more zoom would really come in handy although the zoom on the S3 is nothing to sneeze at.

For some people its shoes or handbags, us, its electronics & gadgets. I do know that newer isn't always better. I'll try it out. If I don't like it, I'll just return it.

Silent - be sure to come back and post on how you like your SX10. Maybe you'll discover something that'll help me with my low-light issues!

 

[AlienBrain]

Hey there AlienBrain! Hope you enjoyed our city! Looks like you and I were standing near the same spot for our photos - near the statue of George Washington and the Indian during their peace talks?

Yep. We took plenty of photos with that statue. Loved the city. I don't know why it doesn't have a better reputation. I really enjoyed my time there and there was plenty to do in that great area.

 

[andi_b_2005]

I am looking into buying the SX10, but I am a little worried about night shots. I am going to Disney in December and am hoping that this camera will produce good photos of the Christmas displays such as Osborne Lights and the castle lit up. Does anyone have feed back on this or know what settings I would need to have on the camera to produce nice photos. The camera I have now produces poor night shots so I am hoping the SX10 will be better. Thanks!

 

[VVFF]

I am looking into buying the SX10, but I am a little worried about night shots. I am going to Disney in December and am hoping that this camera will produce good photos of the Christmas displays such as Osborne Lights and the castle lit up. Does anyone have feed back on this or know what settings I would need to have on the camera to produce nice photos. The camera I have now produces poor night shots so I am hoping the SX10 will be better. Thanks!

What camera do you have? Can you post some examples? I hate to say it but most of the time when nightshots are bad its due to user error rather than the camera. I'm not trying to be mean but sometimes we all can be too quick to blame the technology.

Here are some Osbourne light shots with the S3 IS, the SX10 should be just as capable. These shots were taken with no tripod...just a short girls head

 

[prophotogal]

Y'all do know the sx20 just came out right? If I had known about the sx20 a month ago I would have waited to buy it instead of the sx10. Oh well I'm happy with what I have.

 

[andi_b_2005]

What are the major differences between the SX10 and SX20? I know the 20 has HD video. I am still debating on the two. I don't use video too much so I am thinking about saving a little money and going with the SX10, unless there is something extremely better about the SX20.

 

[Amy]

Here are some Osbourne light shots with the S3 IS, the SX10 should be just as capable. These shots were taken with no tripod...just a short girls head

I have to disagree with you VVFF - the SX10 is NOT just as capable as the S3. I have an S3, and I got Osbourne light photos very similar to yours with my S3. However, in low light, my SX10 doesn't do well at all, even with the image stabilization. And I figured out why - from my post on the first page of this thread:

I did some experimenting over the weekend, trying my S3 vs my SX10. And I finally had that "duh!" moment as to why I'm so disappointed with the SX10 in low light. While both cameras have F2.8 when they're at their widest, once you start to zoom you lose the aperture: fully zoomed, the S3 has F3.5 while the SX10 only has F5.7. And since the SX10 starts out at 28mm vs. the S3 at 36mm, you begin to "lose" aperture sooner on the SX10 (for want of a better way to phrase it).

Overall, the SX10 has smaller apertures than the S3, so you won't be able to get the same shots in low light as you would with an S3.

Now, shooting the Osbourne Lights or the castle all lit up at night - the light sources are pretty bright so you MIGHT be able to get some decent hand-held shots. We won't know for sure until somebody takes their SX10 to WDW and posts some photos for the rest of us to see!

 

[LaurieN]

[

I got fantastic fireworks shots on the 4th of July with the SX10, using fireworks mode. Can't complain about that.


I got HORRIBLE fireworks shots using the fireworks mode. I guess I was doing something wrong (no tripod maybe???)
I got this camera as an "I'm not quite ready for a dslr yet"camera (I have a LOT to learn before I get a dslr. So far I'm happy with it except for the fireworks. I actually got great shots of the sunrise over the ocean one morning. I have to get busy learning because we go to WDW in Nov and I want really nice "holiday" photos
Laurie

 

[VVFF]

I have to disagree with you VVFF - the SX10 is NOT just as capable as the S3. I have an S3, and I got Osbourne light photos very similar to yours with my S3. However, in low light, my SX10 doesn't do well at all, even with the image stabilization. And I figured out why - from my post on the first page of this thread:



Overall, the SX10 has smaller apertures than the S3, so you won't be able to get the same shots in low light as you would with an S3.

Now, shooting the Osbourne Lights or the castle all lit up at night - the light sources are pretty bright so you MIGHT be able to get some decent hand-held shots. We won't know for sure until somebody takes their SX10 to WDW and posts some photos for the rest of us to see!

In your first post you mention the aperture at the longest end of the SX10 lens. These shots were all taken at the widest possible focal length where the two cameras have the same aperture. So their low light abilities should be just about the same.

Lets also not lose sight of the fact that their focal length range is very different. I don't have a SX10 IS but I can bet that the Fstop at the equivalent of 72mm(longest on the S3) is probably fairly close to the SX10 IS at 72(cameras longest is 100mm where it is F5.7)

Is it a bit slower, maybe a stop or so, at the telephoto end? Probably. But I don't use the telephoto capabilities when taking hand held night shots if at all possible. Even then, the camera isn't at fault, what might have been "borderline" with the S3 and turned out now becomes just a step overboard and a tripod will be needed.

 

[tiggrbaby]

My S2 has stopped functioning after 3 years of great use. I am going to try the Canon Loyalty Program to get a new camera at a less painful price. If I can choose between the SX10 and the Rebel XT, what would be the better camera? I plan to use it for sports (swimming), WDW, and a safari trip. I don't know anything about changing settings other than the menu choices on the camera.

TIA!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Boy, that's a loaded question, tiggrbaby.

It really depends on what you want. Are you ready to jump into the dSLR world? If you think you might be, you should really research them a little bit. The XT, while a great camera, is several models old now. (The XTi, XSi, XS and the newest Canon, whose model name escapes me, came after it; many who had XTs have upgraded themselves.) But OTOH, it would probably come at a very good price and enable you to get started fairly cheaply. (Tho Aquisition Syndrome will later drain your pockets, LOL.)

plan to use it for sports (swimming), WDW, and a safari trip.

The XT would be good for all of these, but you may need to invest in some specialized lenses to get the best results (as opposed to the kit lens). On a safari, for instance, you will need a zoom. Indoor swimming does best with a "fast", ie large aperture, lens.

I'm sure the SX10 is a great camera and may fit the bill if you want to continue with a point and shoot camera. (I might ask if they have any S5s available.)

Either way, you probably can't go wrong as both of these models are great cameras. It's more about what you as the photographer will want to use and be happy with.

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

What type of rechargeable AA batteries are you using and what brand of charger ?
What kind of battery life are you getting?

So far my rechargeable are not lasting very long. I might on a good day get 40-50 pictures before they die in my Sx20is.

What are the best batteries to use ?

Right now I have the Targus 2700 mah NIMH batteries and a Targus digital charger.

Thanks

 

[ukcatfan]

How old are they? You might also consider getting a battery checker at Radio Shack. It might just be one bad cell.