not another sx10 is vs sx20 is thread!

[andalusianb]

hello everyone i'm new to the forum and i'm thinking about getting an sx10 is or a sx20 is.
i know this has been a hot topic but i'd like to know if the pic quality of the sx10 is better than the sx 20? i'm more interested in pic quality than video. i'd like to take pics of my animals as well as my orchids, which aren't always in the brightest of light. (especially at shows)
what i've been hearing is that the only real improvement the sx20 has over the sx10 is the HD video. however i'm not planing on showing the videos on an HD tv, rather i'd just upload them to youtube or just watch them on my computer. would the HD video of the sx20 even be usefull to me then?

i'm leaning more towards the sx10, but i'd like some input from experienced users. this will be my first decent camera so i'm still in the process of learning about everything.

thanks in advance

[Woolburr]

The HD video is the big addition....but there are other refinements as well...an additional 2mp....supposed better high ISO performance. Given the slight difference in price...I'd take the SX20IS any day.

[andalusianb]

thanks for your input.
i'm still reading conflicting opinions about the ISO performance of the sx20. i've been reading that the extra MP on the same sensor is doing bad things to the low light performance. and the sx10 has the noiseware downloads.... will the sx20 get the same software "upgrades"?
you are right about the price difference, it's very small

[Catman70]

At this stage of the game with the sx20 being out for a while now, u might be able to find good deals on the net for the sx10. I found it on amazon for a one day deal about a month ago for 300 beans. If u can save a bit I don't think the difference will be much of a choice.

[Aweitzel]

Me and my wife use her sx10 almost exclusively for quick videos. It doesn't do a bad job at all. Its been good enough to stop us from buying a real Camcorder this long. i can only image how great the sx20 HD vid would be.
The movies include family stuff, Disneyland's fireworks, Disneyland's fantastmic, grand canyon sunset.
I know this doesnt answer your question cause your not instrested IN the vid feature, just food for thought.
As for noise, this is a shot at 1600 iso.

[Silverfox1]

The SX10 mated with the Speedlite 270EX can shoot some very nice indoor & outdoor pics and the 480p video dont hog your pc up like HD clips do:

The below are 2 samples with the 270ex external flash and one macro pic outside daylight with no flash & a Hummingbird shot with no flash, also a plumeria shot since your interest is shooting orchids:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v679/Silverfox111/IMG_0044.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v679/Silverfox111/LanceLipinskyFans2-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v679/Silverfox111/HoneyBee-1-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v679/Silverfox111/LHB2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v679/Silverfox111/IMG_0019.jpg

[andalusianb]

wow thanks for all the replies! and nice photos!

[configsys]

Since you mentioned you're more interested in pic quality and not HD video, I'd just go with the SX10is. Plus, you can use CHDK with the SX10 and can't yet with the SX20. Just my 2 cents.

[andalusianb]

when do you think the chdk will be available for the sx20is? also i'm sorry if i didn't word one of my questions correctly, but will the HD video even be useful to me if i just plan on using the videos for youtube or computer viewing?
if it will be useful and make a difference then i will more than likely go for the sx20is

thanks for all the help. i hope to contribute more to the forum once i buy the camera!

[Jon]

Actually, Youtube handles HD video just fine, and on your computer the standard video will typically cover about 1/4 the screen at max. resolution; HD will let you see it full screen at better resolution.

[andalusianb]

ah nice to know, thanks!

[don quixote]

Sorry to intrude with my own question, but it is related. I see that the sx10 is actually MORE expensive than the sx20 currently. Maybe this is because of limited supplies or the fact that Consumer Reports still ranks it as the #1 recommended superzoom. I am a family guy looking for a camera that will take great pics under various conditions, so the sx10's slightly superior picture quality is appealing, but the thought of not having to carry a camera AND a camcorder on vacations, to sporting events, etc. seems very appealing. I know within a copuple of years, the bar will be raised, and full 1080 HD video will probably be the standard on cameras, but for now, is image quality of pics taken with the sx10 so much better than those of the sx20 to warrant my buying an sx10 AND a camcorder?

[Woolburr]

You probably aren't going to find a ton of places that still have SX10s. I would just get an SX20 and start shooting. There is nothing wrong with the SX20....it is a very capable camera for all but the pickiest pixel peeper.