should I upgrade my camera? canon experts, this is for you!

[klineski96]

I have the chance to sell my Canon Powershot IS S5 (12x optical zoom and 8 megapixel) for about $200 to $250 so I can buy the Canon Powershot SX10 IS (20x optical zoom and 10 megapixel) for about $350. (The SX10 IS is basically the IS S5 just beefed up.)

SX10 IS:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...d=1218012527719
and
http://www.usa.canon.com/consu...p;modelid=17630

IS S5:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consu...p;modelid=15207

Should I do it? It's got a few more settings and of course a better zoom... but is it worth spending $100 to $150 out of pocket?

I'm not yet great with the one I have now so I'm learning, but I'm not clueless on how to work it either. I'm no professional but it's by no means too much camera for me.

I take alot of pictures in various places and in all sorts of situations, and I think this camera will allow me to get better pictures. Will an amateur like me be able to tell the difference between the 2?
Thoughts?
Thanks everyone!!


*oh and I don't know a thing about SLR cameras, which is why I want to stick with an advanced point and shoot.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I would suggest checking out DPreview.Com and going from there.

The vast majority of people who participate over here are dSLR shooters and honestly i have no idea what you mean by 5x Zoom and 10x zoom, etc.

 

[KeithVH]

I dunno. It's slightly heavier, slightly bigger, has a minutely larger sensor and continuous drive mode is half that of the S5.

On the other hand, the SX has a bigger screen, higher density sensor and goes to 28mm on the wide end. And DIGIC 4.

Past that, they're pretty much the same. Even the SX1 isn't that much better from the specs.

Now, if you were talking a G9/G10 or could get your hands on an A650, that'd be another story. Those units have much larger/superior sensors and the image quality puts the 1/2.3 gang to shame in any Canon. But no superzoom on them.

I guess you could look at it this way. It's an electronic device. Your S5 is starting to age. If the cost to upgrade is minimal, that might be the best thing to do and start with a fresh warranty.

 

[RiversideBunny]

See KeithVH's comments above.

Zoom and megapixels are good marketing items but they don't tell the whole story if you are looking to upgrade.

Image quality (IQ) is the most important. It comes from better lenses, better sensors, better processors, etc.
For example, that's why the high quality lenses for DSLR's cost a lot; they are just made better and, in many cases, can handle low light better.

Size and convenience may be important to you if you want to stick with P&S models and mostly use automatic mode. Also, do you want the ability to attach an external flash unit.

So- to answer your question about a possible upgrade, IMHO you need to jump up more than just getting the next version of what you have now if you want the upgrade, and the extra money, to be worth it.

I think, in the Canon line, that a G10 or a G9 would be a good choice for you if you want that type of camera.

Good luck.


EDIT- Here's a link to a Canon discussion web site.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php