I think Canon just made the perfect camera

[Fritzo]

I'm in the market for a camera, and the new SX20 IS is the first camera for under $400 that I've seen that actually has everything I want. My requirements for a camera are:

- use standard AA batteries
- 15x or higher optical zoom w/ stabilization
- use standard memory formats (SD)
- take high rez movies w/ sound
- can use the optical zoom w/ movie recording

This thing has a 20X zoom, uses SD cards, gets 600 pics out of a set of NiMh AA's, does 720p movies (!), and even has a stereo mic and HDMI out built in! Check this bad boy out:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=19208

Gotta clear it with the wife, but I can see a bow on this thing by tomorrow Best Buy has it for $369 and I have a bunch of coupons/gift cards.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

i should replace my Powershot G3 now!

 

[alm99]

That is a nice camera! Love Canon.

 

[ravana]

Thanks for posting this. I was considering the SD1200 & 8xx for the wife. I think I am definitely gonna add this to the running list of contenders!

 

[waffleironhead]

looks like a nice update to my aging s2IS

 

[SAWYER]

I would rather spend a couple hundred more and get a dslr that does video

 

[edro]

Sweet!

My mother just got a Powershot G11.
It is amazing... except it doesn't have HD video.

 

[Maximus96]

i also love canon, but my wallet does not

 

[Ausm]

I am a huge Canon camera fan thx for the post.

 

[darkxshade]

If they can fit all that into the frame of the SD models I'd be all over it. Otherwise, I'd rather just get a dslr.

 

[Ausm]

Not a bad price, I wonder how good this retailer is?

http://www.us-appliance.com/sx20is.h...317_a_7csx20is

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Yeah but you get a better sensor in the S/G series than the SD series. They're larger. G-series is amazing and this is basically comparable to a G series.

DSLR is a different arena. Be prepared to drop tons of money for lenses. I'm forcing myself not to buy another lens at the moment.

 

[dullard]

Combine that with these:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/09/powergenix-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries-finally-some-cells-w/

Finally 1.6V rechargable batteries instead of the crap 1.1V or 1.2V that can't run many cameras.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Combine that with these:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/09/powergenix-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries-finally-some-cells-w/

Finally 1.6V rechargable batteries instead of the crap 1.1V or 1.2V that can't run many cameras.

The 1.1V and 1.2V is fine in an NiMh battery. They can run many cameras just fine. It's not the voltage that's an issue. Traditional alkaline batteries are 1.5V but they have a higher internal resistance than NiMh batteries so that the 1.2V is actually equivalent to a 1.5V with higher internal resistance.

I guess it's something about the power of an NiMh battery even if the mAh rating is the same that some devices perform better on rechargeables while others fare better on alkalines. A lot of LED flashlights tend to do better with NiMh batteries. Candlepowerforums guys will laugh if you stuff alkalines into a nice LED light.

 

[dullard]

The 1.1V and 1.2V is fine in an NiMh battery. They can run many cameras just fine. It's not the voltage that's an issue. Traditional alkaline batteries are 1.5V but they have a higher internal resistance than NiMh batteries so that the 1.2V is actually equivalent to a 1.5V with higher internal resistance.

I've used 4 Canon cameras so far. NONE could use the NiMh batteries for more than 1 shot (if they even turned on). I've tried several different brands of rechargable batteries and made certain they were all fully charged. None could get a sufficient voltage for the Canon to think they were charged.

Maybe you got lucky with your Canon and rechargables.

I posted an Engadget link above that raved about them. Here is another (Popular Science's best new invention of 2009): http://newsblaze.com/story/2009111204161200001.bw/topstory.html

Care to post one reliable link saying NOT to use them in a Canon?

 

[Fritzo]

The 1.1V and 1.2V is fine in an NiMh battery. They can run many cameras just fine. It's not the voltage that's an issue. Traditional alkaline batteries are 1.5V but they have a higher internal resistance than NiMh batteries so that the 1.2V is actually equivalent to a 1.5V with higher internal resistance.

I guess it's something about the power of an NiMh battery even if the mAh rating is the same that some devices perform better on rechargeables while others fare better on alkalines. A lot of LED flashlights tend to do better with NiMh batteries. Candlepowerforums guys will laugh if you stuff alkalines into a nice LED light.

And I'm laughing at the guys that post on a Candlepower forum---seriously??? A forum for flashlight enthusiasts???

 

[yhelothar]

One problem...
1/2.3-inch type Charge Coupled Device (CCD)

Great beginner cam. I started my quest in photography with a superzoom too. But don't be expecting spectacular image quality.

 

[Train]

And I'm laughing at the guys that post on a Candlepower forum---seriously??? A forum for flashlight enthusiasts???

My brother (before he got married at least) was a huge flashnight nut. He had them in all sizes with a crazy assortment of lenses, bulbs/LEDs, etc.

He used to hang out on flashlight forums just talking about flashlights.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Canon did make the perfect camera, it's called the 5D MKII.

 

[KeithP]

No raw support and F5.7 at full telephoto is a bit slow. Not a bad camera for its target market but it does miss perfection by a bit (IMHO).

-KeithP

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

No raw support

Seriously? Wow. Camera fails HARD.

 

[foghorn67]

No raw support and F5.7 at full telephoto is a bit slow. Not a bad camera for its target market but it does miss perfection by a bit (IMHO).

-KeithP

How fast do you want it? Making it a faster lens will make it a bit bigger, making it not so perfect.

 

[rudder]

My brother (before he got married at least) was a huge flashnight nut. He had them in all sizes with a crazy assortment of lenses, bulbs/LEDs, etc.

He used to hang out on flashlight forums just talking about flashlights.

ummmm I think he probably hiding the fact that they were in fact fleshlight forums.

 

[purbeast0]

all I have is a point and shoot camera, but I really want to get a really nice one like the one in the OP before I go on my next vacation to take out when I go see places.

the point and shoot owns though for when I go snorkelling on my trips and can take underwater pics w/the underwater housing.

i don't know jack shit about cameras though, that one in the OP is a really good one? i've always been happy w/my canon point and shoots.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

LCD is too small.