Canon super-zoom powershot S series lovers

[Rottie]

I have a Canon Powershot S3 IS that I bought few months ago just for expierment with superzoom len...I think it is time for upgrade because Canon will release new and latest Powershot SX40 soon. I am looking at few Powershot superzoom..I need your opinion please.

Canon Powershot SX10 IS (10MP CMOS and RAW)
or SX20 IS (12MP CCD no RAW)
or SX30 IS (14MP CCD 36X zoom no RAW)

I have done with review with those in the past but it is hard decision for me.

[The Stigenator]

I love my S3IS.. its got a rather fast lens for what it is F2.7-3.5 (most newer zooms are 2.7-5.6)

I do miss the RAW portion and higher MP but its fine for what it is...

[corkyg]

I got an S3IS a few years ago when I temorarily lost my EOS5D kit. It did very well, and since then I got a SX10IS and a SX30IS. I did get my 5D back with all lenses, etc., and have since upgraded it to a MKII. I will probably get the SX40 when it comes out and start giving the others to grandkids.

I find that for serious travel, the SX is terrific. Fits into my laptop case, and does the job I need. RAW is nice, but I truly have no need for that.

[sixone]

The SX10 was great. The only reason I gave it up was to get the longer zoom of the SX30.

The SX30 did not do as well in low-light situations, but performed beautifully at long zoom.

I'm waiting for sample images from the SX40, before I decide whether to get it.

You will be able to have RAW capabilities with any of the cameras you listed, with the CHDK hack. Read here for more info on CHDK. It will probably be a couple of months before this hack is ready for the SX40, but that will give you plenty of time to fully explore the camera and its capabilities, so that you have a better idea of what CHDK will add.

[Rottie]

Yeah but I posted thread regards about CMOS vs CCD I understand CMOS is better than CCD that is the reason I wanted SX10 BUT SX30 have 36x zoom and 14MP...

Also I believe all 3 lacks face detection feature that I am looking for...I am taking picture of me....

[iGas]

Originally Posted by Rottie

Yeah but I posted thread regards about CMOS vs CCD I understand CMOS is better than CCD that is the reason I wanted SX10 BUT SX30 have 36x zoom and 14MP...

Also I believe all 3 lacks face detection feature that I am looking for...I am taking picture of me....

There is virtually no different between 10mp vs 14mp.

You can get good 8x10 print out of 10mp, and unless you are planing to print 11x14 the it is a moot point to get 14mp cam.

The SX30 sport 24-840mm (in 35mm equivalent). And, that mean you have to shoot at a minimum of 1/200s to get 50% keepers, and 1/400s to get 75% keepers at 840mm. That said, what the hell are you going to do with a zoom that long beside spying on people?

I own the S95, and it served me well on my trip to Costa Rica, and SE Asia.

[Rottie]

Originally Posted by iGas

There is virtually no different between 10mp vs 14mp.

You can get good 8x10 print out of 10mp, and unless you are planing to print 11x14 the it is a moot point to get 14mp cam.

The SX30 sport 24-840mm (in 35mm equivalent). And, that mean you have to shoot at a minimum of 1/200s to get 50% keepers, and 1/400s to get 75% keepers at 840mm. That said, what the hell are you going to do with a zoom that long beside spying on people?

I own the S95, and it served me well on my trip to Costa Rica, and SE Asia.

I think I will go with SX20 IS instead...thanks and you have a nice pictures with S95

[cparker]

I have an s3IS which I've had for years. I still use it a lot and love the camera. I use it for both stills and video, by the way. I've thought of getting a newer version, but then I can't come up with a reason why it would do better for me than the s3is. More MP means that they are cramming more pixels into the same space and that generally means lower quality pixels, so you have worse performance (more noise?) under lower light conditions. For me, I prefer the better low light performance. The newer versions have larger screens as well as HD video. That might be a reason, although not for me at this time.

[de8212]

Just got an SX40 yesterday. Haven't really done much with it but I plan to take a few pics this afternoon.

I also went from the S3IS to the SX40. I would certainly hope it's a significant improvement. I'm not expecting DSLR but should beat the S3 in every area.

[AnitaPeterson]

Have been an S3 IS enthusiast for quite a while.
My primary camera is now the SX1 IS.
CMOS, 1080p, 20x zoom... I absolutely love it, and am very attached to it.

[Rottie]

I haven't posted here for a while because I stopped using my S3IS when I got an iPhone 4S. Now S3IS is about to sold soon and I am about to get S30 IS soon but I found out they said Auto setting is awful then using Manual setting and low light is worse, it makes me wondering if it is worth or not. I heard many many positive thing about SX40 HS but I can't afford it yet.

[corkyg]

Hang in there, Rottie! I gave my SX30 to my daughter-in-law when I got the SX40. SX40 is better, especially under low light conditions. Am now lusting for the SX50.

I use it as a supplement to my 5D MKII and an assortment of lenses - especially where air travel is involved. The super zoom capability is awesome, but it does require at least a monopod for extended work. That's not all bad - also serves as a walking stick.

[sixone]

I'll second that - the SX40 is MUCH better than the SX30. I'm trying to get my uncle to buy my SX40, so I can get the SX50.

[AnitaPeterson]

The SX50 looks like a monster. A very desirable one.... 50x zoom! Holy crap!

[sixone]

Originally Posted by AnitaPeterson

The SX50 looks like a monster. A very desirable one.... 50x zoom! Holy crap!

And considerably faster, shot to shot, from what I've seen.

[Throckmorton]

Does it actually produce usable photos at 1400mm or whatever?

[sixone]

Originally Posted by Throckmorton

Does it actually produce usable photos at 1400mm or whatever?

Check out the Canon Powershot forum over at dpreview.com. There are new pics posted there all the time.

[Rottie]

Originally Posted by corkyg

Hang in there, Rottie! I gave my SX30 to my daughter-in-law when I got the SX40. SX40 is better, especially under low light conditions. Am now lusting for the SX50.

I use it as a supplement to my 5D MKII and an assortment of lenses - especially where air travel is involved. The super zoom capability is awesome, but it does require at least a monopod for extended work. That's not all bad - also serves as a walking stick.

Hi Corkyg....you never stop buying Canon cameras every year?

[Rottie]

Originally Posted by sixone

I'll second that - the SX40 is MUCH better than the SX30. I'm trying to get my uncle to buy my SX40, so I can get the SX50.

Why are you getting the SX50 if SX40 is mucho better than the SX30?

[Rottie]

Originally Posted by sixone

And considerably faster, shot to shot, from what I've seen.

Sweet!!

[corkyg]

Originally Posted by Rottie

Hi Corkyg....you never stop buying Canon cameras every year?

Just one of life's joys, Rottie. I guess eventually all my grandkids will have a hand-me-down.

[sixone]

Originally Posted by Rottie

Why are you getting the SX50 if SX40 is mucho better than the SX30?

It's better, but certainly not perfect - no camera is. The SX50 is enough of an improvement to be worth the extra money.

And my uncle's camera got broken last week. He'll probably buy the SX40 from me.

[corkyg]

Originally Posted by Rottie

Hi Corkyg....you never stop buying Canon cameras every year?

Well,Rottie, I lust no longer! B&H just threw me an offer I could not refuse for the SX50. An $80 discount and free overnight delivery!

Gotta keep the economy moving, . . . right? <LOL>

[corkyg]

Well, the SX50 HX arrived just 23 hours after I placed the order. Awesome!

I have had a change to play with it. the 50X zoom is interesting. Here is a quick shot from my garage door looking towards street. Note the tall saguaro cactus.



From the exact same spot, I let her go to the max to capture the top of that cactus.



Both shots used the same P setting, and are reduced to 1024x768 for Internet transmission and email.

I can definitely see some application in wildlife shots where one can't tote huge lenses and a DSLR.

At max zoom, a tripod would definitely help - at least a monopod.

[Throckmorton]

That zoom is impressive