PMA is coming up soon, which means it’s raining digital cameras!
I would really like to review a TX1. Canon, if you’re interested please contact me to set it up.
I’ve been hoping for Canon to release a new S4IS, with better low light performance and SDHC support. They haven’t announced anything yet, but The TX1 has certainly caught my eye, in a big way.
The TX1 is small, around the size of a deck of cards. But it’s BIG on features. Most notably 1280×720 30fps video recording with sound, 10x optically stabilized lens, ISO 1600, face recognition, and SDHC support for up to 32GB SD cards.
I’ve noticed there’s no manual focus hardware button, I wonder how useful the ISO 1600 really is, it’s 39-390mm (35mm equiv) F3.5-5.6 lens is not very wide or fast, and it’s got a tall shape that looks difficult to hold steady. Then again my S2IS’s 36-432mm equiv lens is not that different. My S2IS’s f2.7 is going to be a lot faster than the TX1′s f3.5.
What do all the specs mean?
Ok, there are a ton of sites out there already with copies of Canon’s TX1 specification table. Great, but this device has features you just can’t directly compare to your 1-4 year old digicam.
- Size
At 89 x 60 x 29 mm (3.5 x 2.4 x 1.1 in) It’s about the size of a deck of playing cards. The lens and display fold into the unit so you can safely drop it into your pocket or bag. - HD video recording
OK, this one is big. With 1280×720 video resolution , the TX1 records video at 3 times the detail of MiniDV camcorders. - Recording Options
You can record video using ANY of the TX1′s settings. This is not to be overlooked, as it offers options not available on camcorders. Imagine shooting HD video on the super-macro setting. Your ant videos will look stunning. You could also shoot with a small depth of field and approximate the look of a 35mm movie camera. - 10x Optically Stabilized lens.
Optical stabilization moves the lens rapidly in the opposite direction of your camera shake, in an effort to cancel it out. Canon has a great stabilization technology, which is needed with its great 10x optical zoom lens. I don’t know of any other camera of this size with 10x zoom. - Stereo Audio recording
Lots of digital cameras shoot video, but most record mono sound. The Canon TX1 records stereo sound with the video, making your memories sound as good as they look. - SDHC Support
SD cards hold up to 2GB each. SD High Capacity cards can hold up to 32GB each. You’re going to need that kind of storage if you shoot a lot of video and don’t have a way to empty your cards when away from home. UPDATE: I found 8GB SDHC cards for $52 US at Newegg.
I’m really interested in trying this one out. Magda’s been wanting a camera of her own for a while now… With this and our S2IS we’d be set.
More details about the Canon TX1
Here’s a size comparison, the TX1 is the pink box. Here’s a link so you can view from different angles.
UPDATE!
Here’s a gallery of live images from Engadget
Here’s a real first impressions review
Here’s a video overview:
Firstly I am a TX-1 fanboy – I love the photos and video, and I am happy with the compromises made for the camera: I take it with me everywhere and use it all the time.
“I’ve noticed there’s no manual focus hardware button”
You can use the CHDK firmware to get a manual focus feature (CHDK it is still under constant development) – see http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK
“I wonder how useful the ISO 1600 really is”
it gives a lot of noise. Like most point-and-shoots the low light performance is poor (unless you manually set longer shutter times and your subject is still).
“it’s 39-390mm (35mm equiv) F3.5-5.6 lens is not very wide or fast”
The lack of a wide mode is made up by the addition of a super-macro mode (down to 0mm) which is fantastic for taking microscope like close ups of insects, flowers etc. I rarely want a wide mode (and if I really want it, there is the stitch assist mode and can stitch photos later).
“it’s got a tall shape that looks difficult to hold steady.”
It is not the best form factor, but with a little use you find the best way to hold it. I accept this given the camera’s portability is such a benefit to me.
Any questions head on over to the TX1 forum http://forums.powershot-tx1.com/
Cheers
I too have one of these great little cameras and the videos are great. I am a professional photographer so I wasn’t looking for a still camera so much as I was looking for a video camera small enough to take with me on assignment and everywhere else. If you want to see some videos that the Canon TX1 can produce check out my video blog (vlog). http://www.TodayIFeelLike.com/tifl
I have video in both standard and high def.
I have the TX1 and I am blown away by its performance. The picture quality is excellent and the videos are excellent! Though you need to have a fairly new sd card with a speed of at least 150 to avoid buffering videos, the tx1 is a powerful camera that sends a lot of information to the the sd card during hd recording and the card has to be fast enough to respond to that or it will simply buffer and then quit the video. Overall though the tx1 is now ranking as my favotrite purchase in some time and for some time to come!