Used Canon PowerShot SX20IS Bridge Camera

With fine art and industrial design as background, needless to say I've taken a picture or two begun decades ago in the analog world in which no small amount of cash went into camera equipment. Having had a decade or more laps before deciding to look through a lens again, it was obvious spending a large amount on equipment would not be a wise choice (digital equipment this time). I'm more than pleased with the Canon PowerShot SX20IS. It's an incredibly capable camera. It replaces an analog professional body Minolta plus two zoom lenses (28mm to 300). Comparatively the SX20IS added 200mm (total 500 optical zoom) with good image quality likely aided by its image stabilization; allowing hand held telephoto shots at photo speeds impossible with analog. That's impressive at less than a quarter the size and weight of the Minolta plus lenses. The result is it travels when the analog gear would have stayed home. After approximately nine months of ownership it has begun to sink in there are enormous advantages to a capable digital camera combined with a change in field approach vs. analog. The impressive analytical software of the SX20IS encourages your photographic eye by automatically replacing the extensive technical analog camera-information needed to attempt to make photographs appear the way you see the scene. The only down side has been learning the new lingo AKA software based controls instead of analog buttons, dials etc; wish it had fine incremental zoom control. It's not a professional camera, but its capability combined with software frees you to just seeing what's begging to be photographed. If it fits your hand grasp reasonably and you're willing to discover its abilities, you should enjoy this camera. (The SX10IS won't discourage you point and shooters either.)Side notes 7/2010: SX20IS (and SX10IS) do not have treaded lens rings to fit lens filters (hard to figure). The unapproved solution can be found from Lensmate (SX10, SX20 & SX1 Filter Adapter 58mm), approx [...] shipped [...] which uses the SX20IS lens shade mechanism to attach 58mm filters. You can then attach a clear filter to protect your lens - Hoya 58mm UV (Ultra Violet) Multi Coated Glass Filter $22.35 - FREE Super Saver Shipping http://www.amazon.com/Hoya-Ultra-Violet-Coated-Filter/dp/B00009R9A1/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277819958&sr=1-3 plus a $4.95 Zeikos ZE-LC58 58mm Plastic Snap On Lens Cap (Black) FREE Super Saver Shippinghttp://www.amazon.com/Zeikos-ZE-LC58-58mm-Plastic-Black/dp/B001LMXMD8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277820244&sr=1-1. Add a HOYA 58CIR 58mm Circular Polarized Filter for those great outdoor scenes for [...] FREE Super Saver Shipping http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006HOAQ/ref=oss_product and for under [...] have lens protection and enhanced outdoor photo capability. (It is definitely faster to have the Polarizer filter already attached to a second Lensmate adapter.)(There is a blog comment about the weight of a lens filter and the lens zoom drive-mechanism. (Opinion) it wouldn't say much for Canon engineering quality if the miniscule weight of a filter turned out to be too much, long term, for the drive system on this camera. It's more likely normal use would have someone scratch or otherwise degrade the front optics (lens); virtually now replicable for [...].)If you're not spent out yet; two (one) other products: a good monopod can be much more usable than a tripod (unless you're taking pictures of yourself). The Vanguard monopod is solid as a rock, extremely fast to extend and contract and is light weight enough with an added Vanguard ballhead (total combined cost $212.70), it often goes where the camera goes; extending dim light (i.e. under heavy foliage) photography options significantly. The SBH-300 ballhead is serious quality; the SBH-100 is likely the same. (Get Vanguard before the prices go up.)Vanguard ELITE CP-364 Carbon Fiber Digital Camera Monopod [...] ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016HTVL0/ref=oss_productVanguard SBH-300 Large-Format Magnesium Alloy Ballhead with Two Onboard Bubble Levels [..] ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016D3H1O/ref=oss_productOr the SBH-100 is likely more easily used and lighter vs. SBH-300:Vanguard SBH-100 Small Magnesium Alloy Ballhead with Two Onboard Bubble Levels $69.99 + Free Shipping (not Super Saver) http://www.amazon.com/Vanguard-SBH-100-Magnesium-Ballhead-Onboard/dp/B0016D1I0G/ref=pd_cp_p_3You've just "double" the price of the camera (adding $303.35 7/2010), but have a true go with you much more often piece of work instead of "wish I brought the camera". Thought of another way; it's approximately the same cost as a Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm alone; no zoom from 55mm to 500, filters, optics protection or monopod; and may more pictures taken because the gear goes with you and photographic options have increased.

I'll emphasize one point first - the same that I did with the SX10 - this is NOT a camera for the rank amateur or for someone who thinks that "point and shoot" applies to this camera. You can point it, and you can shoot, but if all you're ever going to do is use it in the "Auto" setting, you're wasting your money. This is such a versatile camera that using it on "Automatic" will get you average pictures. Of course, for some people, "average" is better than you've done in the past, so...I've had the SX10IS for almost a year, and have shot well over 10,000 photos. The SX20 has some improvements, and I thought it was worth the price to make life a little easier. In the past week, I've shot over 1,000 pictures with the SX20. All of these have been of birds, bugs, butterflies, bunnies, bees, scenery, and a few dogs. It's what I do. People aren't half as interesting. I leave those to my brother who has a Nikon Something-or-other and 30 pounds of lenses and junk that I no longer want to carry around. I will take pictures of my grandkids, but they're just that, snapshots. When I take pictures of wildlife with the SX10 or 20, it's photography, a hobby I've had for 65 years.Comparison with the SX10 and an Evaluation: Some things become apparent immediately on the plus side: (1) the wheel on the back is easier to use, faster, and more precise. So far, it doesn't change settings just by brushing up against clothing. (2) the viewfinder adjustment is more precise and spot on. (3) It is easy to use although the instruction manual has not improved. I urge anyone using the SX10 or 20 to read the manual. (4) The weight is fine and, even though I have a relatively small hand, it is comfortable and not at all bulky. Others must be comparing this to the Elph. That said, after four hours of shooting, even 18 ounces can feel like 8 pounds around your neck. I suggest, while keeping the camera around your neck, you lift it with one hand for a little while before it becomes a literal pain in the neck. (5) Battery life is still great. I do wish that Canon had added an ACCESSIBLE battery meter so that I could tell how much batter life I have left when I leave with a camera. Then I would know before I leave home whether or not to take an extra set with me which I now do as a matter of course since I never know when they'll die. The battery warning indicator leaves you with four or five photos that can be taken if that. Odd though it may seem, I chose the SX20 over the competition because it takes AA rechargeable batteries. While those may add a little weight, it's rare that I can't find regular AAs in a store, and I can always keep an extra set in the car if I happen to be driving to a location.What has not changed: (1) The camera is simply not made for low light situations, no matter what settings you use. "Low light" for me is a bird under the canopy of a tree even on a bright summer day. (2) The ISO has changed so that even at 80, you'll experience noise, This is worse than the SX10. At 800 and above, the noise is simply unacceptable. I keep the ISO at 200 or 100, and shoot almost exclusively at Av, Tv, or M. (3) I NEVER use digital zoom. If a bird is off some 200 feet, using the digital zoom may get you the bird, but it will be blurred no matter what the linear bar says. (4) Canon hasn't attached a cord to the lens cap since the S3 or S5, and I wish they'd bring it back. I USE the lens cap, and would prefer not keeping it in my pocket or even my hand while shooting. (5) I haven't found much use for the lens hood, and often feel that Canon added it to make the camera look "more professional" for those who feel inferior next to those using 1000mm lenses and carry 35 pounds of gear. (6) The SX20 is just as slow as the SX10, and that's fairly slow. "Continuous" is not like having a motor drive, and if you can get three shots off in 5 seconds you'd be doing very well. Birds, however, do not move for your convenience and three shots in a second would satisfy my needs. This does not. Even taking pictures of a kid running the bases is going to be missing something no matter what setting you use. Fortunately, I have the philosophy that what I miss today, I might get tomorrow. That does not apply to children at play although it might at Aunt Martha's 95th birthday party where nothing is going to move that fast.The SX10 has the same buttons on the back, but I always seemed to be pushing them by mistake. That, for some reason, hasn't happened with the thousand photos I've taken with the SX20. And I reiterate, the thumb wheel on the SX20 is much faster and precise. I can set the exposure - speed and aperture and even override the normal settings - in half the time as with the SX10.The macro settings on the SX20 became much easier and faster, though SuperMacro is just a pain to use. Supermacro must in my opinion be used with the LCD. You won't do much with the viewfinder at a distance of 5mm. It works, however. I rarely use it except for very small insects, but I imagine if you have a coin or stamp collection, it could come in handy although lighting will always be a problem at that (lack of) distance. Otherwise, I like the macro because the zoom works well with it. Of all the features that takes practice, it is the macro.This is my fifth digital camera going back to 2000. Four of the five have been Canons and, if I didn't need the focal length for what I do (nature photography of everything from raptors to dragonflies), I would have stopped at the A620, perhaps the finest all-round P&S camera Canon has made. But, if you want to take a photo of a dragonfly or bird and can get within 15 feet of it, this is the camera for you...unless you like changing lenses, calculating for various conditions, and carrying all that stuff around with you.What I fear most is that, having now bought the SX20 is that Canon will come out with another P&S that moves us closer to DSLRs and the need to have at least two lenses. After 50 years of using SLRs, I want easy, not complex. In fact, I might have told Canon to leave off some things from the SX20. I don't need fancy. I need accuracy and clarity. And I don't need automatic features with 30 different scenes. Because there's so many extras, superfluous extras added to the SX10 and 20, I can't say that the controls and menus are easy. Knowledge makes things easier, but the best knowledge is knowing what works and what you can do without. I use perhaps 40% of the functions of the camera.Oh, before I forget, the date stamp would have been very nice if the print was smaller and if it was in the lower right corner at stated in the manual. Instead, it's about a half-inch above and to the left of the lower right hand corner, and can ruin a shot that cannot crop out the date. I would suggest leaving the date for software. Remember, once you use the date stamp on a photo, it can't be undone. I emphasize that you set the Date Stamp to "No."The LCD is still a great plus. There have been many times when I need it to "see" over a wire fence and the only way is with this articulating LCD. Other than those circumstances, I exclusively use the viewfinder, The LCD is primarily to see what I hope will be clear when I download to my computer.I'll repeat something else I said about the SX10: The Viewfinder on this camera is the best I've ever had! It can be set by use of a knurled ring on the left and, if you wear glasses, can make the picture you see through the viewfinder sharper than if you used glasses alone. It's five times better than using the LCD. For the viewfinder alone, I would buy this camera!I know that many people have bought this because you can now shoot HD movies. I used the SX10 for movies twice, and probably won't do much with the SX20 in this regard either. Even with an 8GB card, a movie of a green heron chick catching a dragonfly in midair can take 6-8 minutes, and that's a lot of MBs in the process. However, if it's your son or daughter running the bases, it's great! It is possible to take one frame out for printing, but the resolution and size will be smaller than a "normal" shot. Still, this camera is capable of an awful lot, and you might as well use it.All and all, I almost love this camera. If it were faster and could shoot in low light on a foggy day, I would love it. Overall, 4 to 4½ stars. Considering that I've published as many with the SX10 and 20 as with my 35mm SLR, I'd say that my patience and the digital point-and-shoot have improved mightily.I compared this camera to four others (Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, and Canon), and I still ended up with the Canon SX20. The fact that they went to 12.1 MP means very little. The two extra MP doesn't make much difference, and they kept the 20X focal length of the zoom. However, I used the 24X zoom of a competitor, and there was so much noise at the upper end that I thought it was digital rather than optical. This camera was also more comfortable, albeit a little heavier, and I am really partial to AA batteries. It certainly is something to consider. (See my review of Eneloop batteries.)I rarely recommend anything to anybody. If I recommend something as "sophisticated" as this to someone who points and shoots and still cuts off heads and feet, then I'm to blame. If someone buys the camera because s/he sees what I can do with it, they often forget that I've been a semi-pro for almost 50 years and have had a 35mm since 1953. Would I recommend THIS camera? Yes, but with several caveats which will soon be forgotten.Postscript: For a number of very good reasons, I will not upload photos taken with this camera. All of my photos can be found on my Web site.