Canon SX100 IS?

[Jay H]

What do you folks think of the new Canon SX series, looks pretty good paper wise... 10x optical zoom, runs on AA batteries, Image Stabilization.... Not a wide lens as say the SD800 IS. Isn't waterproof

Jay

 

[DougPaul]

There is a fairly comprehensive review posted yesterday at http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/SX100IS/SX100ISA.HTM.

I have no direct experience with this camera, but do notice the lack of an optical viewfinder. The 10-1 zoom looks handy, but large range zooms tend to be poorer optically than narrower range zooms (take your choice...)--there are relevant comments in the review.

Doug

 

[Jay H]

Yeah, I noticed the lack of a viewfinder. Hrrmmff... Maybe that is why there is a an S5 IS which looks like the SX100 IS on steroids, it has a viewfinder and also the swivel LCD like on my G3.

Jay

 

[DougPaul]

Yeah, I noticed the lack of a viewfinder.

That seems to be the trend in Canon P&S cameras... (I say Canon because I haven't followed the other brands, although many of them also lack optical viewfinders.)

A number of us purchased SD800 IS's while they are still available because it has a viewfinder and the follow-on SD870 IS does not. The 28mm minimum eFL is also nice for outdoor pics, too.

FWIW, I'm happy with my SD800 IS.

Doug

 

[bignslow]

The only thing I want to see from canon in the P&S market is water & shock proof (like olympus: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital_sw.asp). Honestly, what good is a 12.1 MP P&S if I can't take it hiking in a torrential downpour.

I think it stinks that they're just cramming more an more pixels into a sensor instead of trying to find the "next best thing" in regards to improving sensitivity and dynamic range.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I think it stinks that they're just cramming more an more pixels into a sensor instead of trying to find the "next best thing" in regards to improving sensitivity and dynamic range.

It's just like diamonds -- more carats is better than less, regardless of the cut or the color or the clarity. More megapixels is better. They can sell them, obviously, without making other improvements. Vote with your wallet and don't buy one until they make the improvement you want.

Doug & I want the A series with a 4-5x (or better) zoom and an eFL of 28mm. Meanwhile my recent A570 IS for $160 has served me well.

Besides, if it's pouring rain there isn't much to take a picture of anyway.

Tim

 

[DougPaul]

I think it stinks that they're just cramming more an more pixels into a sensor instead of trying to find the "next best thing" in regards to improving sensitivity and dynamic range.

According to http://www.clarkvision.com/imagedetail/digital.sensor.performance.summary/ the sensitivity (=low noise) and dynamic range increase with pixel size and the noise of current cameras is pretty close to the theoretical limits.

So the limits on sensitivity and dynamic range are driven by our desire for small cameras (which require small sensors and thus small pixels). If you want better sensitivity and dynamic range, you need fewer pixels and/or a larger sensor (ie a DSLR).

Also 8MP are about as many as you want in a P&S. As the pixels get smaller, the dynamic range decreases and the noise increases. And once the pixels get sufficiently smaller than the diffraction limit of the lens no resolution will be gained.


Some real pixel size data:

        microns/pixel   pixels           MP     sensor, mm
A75             2.6     2048x1536        3.1    5.41x4.04
SD800           1.9     3072x2304        7.1    5.84x4.39
XT              6.7     3456x2304        8.0    23.04x15.37
XTi             5.9     3888x2592       10.1    23.04x15.37
5D              8.2     4368x2912       12.7    35.8x23.9 (full size sensor)

Diffraction limited spot size (from http://bobatkins.com/photography/technical/diffraction.html):

Aperture        microns
f2.8            2.7
f4              5.4
f5.6            7.5
f8              10.7
f11             14.7
f16             21.5
f22             29.5

Thus for the SD800 at F8, the spot size is about 5 pixels. At this point, more pixels will just degrade the image.

Doug

 

[David Metsky]

If you like the SX100 take a look at the Sony H3 and the Panasonic TZ3. They are all 10x zoom, compact, and lack viewfinders. The TZ3 doesn't have manual controls however.

Making a camera weatherproof is expensive and reduces the image quality. Most folks aren't willing to pay that price.