PowerShot TX1: A bundle of useful technologies

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 07/02/2007 10:38 AM

Zatni Arbi, Contributor, Jakarta

As you must have noticed, taking great photos has become increasingly easy. Even better, we do not need a professional-class SLR (single lens reflector, also called single lens reflex) camera to get stunning results.

Quite a few useful technological advancements have become commonplace among today's point-and-shoot, compact and subcompact cameras.

One of the most important technological marvels is perhaps the image stabilizer. It is not a new technology, but it has become available in many mainstream models.

Often, the photos that we take are blurred because we cannot hold the camera steady. The image stabilizer helps minimize the impact on the photos, and is important when we use the zoom function.

In Canon's nomenclature, models with the image stabilization function have the suffix IS. So the Canon PowerShot A570 IS, A710 IS, S3 IS and Ixus 800 IS all carry the feature.

Camera makers utilize two different approaches in ensuring that the captured images are as crisp as possible. Some use software to compensate for what is known as ""camera shake""; others simply try to compensate for the ""shake"" by moving the lens elements up and down using a gyroscope or other balancing mechanisms.

Another noteworthy addition is the so-called face detection technology. As the name implies, this feature analyzes the image to find human faces and then locks the focus on them. The exposure is also adjusted so that the resulting pictures portray clearer faces.

Courtesy of Datascrip, distributor of Canon cameras and printers for Indonesia, I had the chance to play around with their new compact model, the PowerShot TX1.

The TX1 has a distinct look compared with the previous PowerShot cameras: It stands like a miniature camcorder, and it actually is.

In addition to the face detection technology (Canon calls it Face Detect) and the optical image stabilization that works for both still and video recording, the camera comes with a 10x optical zoom and a 4x digital zoom, Canon's own DIGIC III processor, the ability to capture High Definition 720p video and still images of up to 7.1 megapixels.

The camera's body is mostly wrapped in stainless steel. When the camera is off, the large 39- to 390-mm equivalent lens is retracted and protected with a built-in lens cover.

When it is powered on, the lens will protrude a little. When we zoom in or out, the lens will move back and forth inside the camera.

The 1.8-inch LCD screen lies flush with the camera body when closed. When open, it can swivel up to 270 degrees on its hinge -- and it feels very sturdy.

The screen itself is coated with an scratch-resistant, anti-reflection layer. It does not smudge easily, yet it is easy to wipe it clean.

The screen view follows LCD orientation. If we turn it all the way around to take a self-portrait, the camera has the intelligence to understand this and will maintain the image right-side up. If we place the camera horizontally, it produces a portrait view.

The TX1's level of sensitivity can be as high as ISO 1600, which helps improve photography of fast-moving objects or objects in low light.

Because it is an HD camera, the TX1 offers the 16:9 aspect ratio in addition to the conventional 4:3. It even comes with a wind filter, so we will not get the hissing sound when filming a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge, for example, on a windy day.

It also has extra features such as My Color, which allows us to replace a particular color with another.

Canon supplies a 32MB multimedia card (MMC) in the box, so you will need to buy extra memory cards if you want to use the camera on a week-long trip to Flores. The card slot can also accept older SD, SDHC MMCs and the new MMC-plus card.

The TX1 comes with all necessary cables, including the component video cable that will allow us to display HD movies on a TV set.

But it is simply not possible to design a perfect camera. Like buying a new computer or a new car, very soon new technologies emerge that we would like to see incorporated.

Currently, however, the TX1 is one of the best hybrid cameras -- for photos and videos both. Its pistol-like design reminds us of Sanyo's Xacti, which is also distributed by Datascrip.

Now, if I had my way, there are a couple of things that I would like to see improved.

First, the 1.8-inch LCD is a bit too small, and therefore the menus are a tad too tiny for people with limited vision like me. Several other pocket cameras now come with a 3-inch screen. On the other hand, the TX1's screen is very sharp and fares well under bright sunlight. Also, the smaller screen undoubtedly saves battery power.

An optical viewfinder like those found on old cameras would help us compose our photos without having to rely solely on the LCD screen. Unfortunately, this is absent from the TX1.

I would not mind if the designers had opted for a bigger body as long as the camera had the viewfinder. A larger body would also have allowed them to put in a bigger and more powerful flash.

I would also like to see some improvements in ergonomics, such as a more textured surface that would prevent the camera from slipping out of our hands.

Some users have complained about the layout of the control buttons, but I find them fairly acceptable after some time. I especially like the separate buttons for photo and video capturing.

We do need to be more careful when opening the cover of the battery compartment, as it feels a bit flimsy. The battery can only be recharged using the supplied cradle recharger. According to Canon, one full charge will last around 160 photos.

But these are minor drawbacks. At US$435, the TX1 is at the high end of the current price range for compact digital cameras, and on the whole, it is a great camera.

Actually, I am considering buying it to replace my PowerShot A520, which was stolen in a Barcelona airport last February.

I am particularly sold on the image stabilization feature, short refresh time and short shutter lag.

I do not care much about the limited length of the video footage it can take, due to the use of the flash card, because I would leave serious video taking to a full-fledged video camera.

At any rate, if you are in the market for a new compact digital camera, you are well advised to check this one out.

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