Canon has finally brought the much-desired SX1 IS to the US, along with an SX200 IS.  For those not familiar with the SX1 IS, it was previously released in non-US markets and subsequently followed by many bitter US consumers asking where their powerful point and shoot camera was at.  Canon has answered those requests and by bringing the SX1 IS to American soil.

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Key Features

• 10mp CMOS sensor
• 20x Zoom (28-560mm equivalent)
• Articulating LCD
• Hotshoe (for external flash)
• DIGIC 4
• 1080p video
• Price $599

The SX1 IS should be available in April.  Check availability at Amazon.com.

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Reviews

Photography Bay (Hands-On at PMA)

The zoom range, RAW capture, hotshoe and 1080p video recording all add up to make this camera an excellent choice for anyone looking to move up a notch or three from a basic point and shoot camera.  Enthusiasts will also appreciate the features of this camera and, I’m sure, will find a way to stretch it to new limits.

Neocamera

The 20X optical zoom range is rather impressive with relatively low distortion except at wide-angle and a good amount of details retention across the zoom range.

Buy-N-Shoot

Canon’s PowerShot SX1 IS is certainly on the upper end of the compact camera market both in terms of performance and therefore price. As a result however, it delivers good quality images and fantastic high definition movies – a combination likely to suit certain photographers and hobbyists to a tee.

PC Mag

We have some minor gripes with the Canon PowerShot SX1-including its high price-but it’s one of the best superzoom cameras you can buy.

Digital Camera Review

The SX1 IS produced generally good results and is a pleasant camera to use. The ability to jump into movie mode with a one button push is a handy feature for folks who shoot video.

Cnet

A top megazoom option, the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS offers a 20x zoom lens and HD video, which you can’t get in a similarly priced dSLR, and delivers more features and slightly better performance and photo quality than the cheaper SX10 IS.

DP Interface

. . . the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS is an excellent ultra-zoom camera (one of the best out there) which is very capable in both still shooting and movie recording.

DP Review

The SX1 IS is a nicely designed, easy to use camera with a very useful zoom range and an effective image stabilization system.

Cameras.co.uk

If you want all the bells and whistles, very good picture quality and plenty of zoom power then the Canon Powershot SX1 IS is hard to beat.

Canon PowerShot SX200 IS Key Features

• 12.1 megapixels
• 12x Zoom (28-336 mm equivalent)
• Optical image stabilization
• 720p video
• 3″ LCD
• Price $349

Check availability at Amazon.com.

Canon PowerShot SX200 IS Reviews

Buy-n-Shoot

It is a highly recommendable unit that would make a great travel companion or gift for somebody who enjoys compact photography

Imaging Resource

The Canon PowerShot SX200 is a versatile photo companion, packing a 12x zoom that gets to 336mm, an image processor that can track faces in motion, a wide selection of recording modes including Manual, HD video with an HDMI port, and more.

PC World

Canon’s PowerShot SX200 IS is a very good camera with plenty of features for everyone: novices will make good use of the easy mode, while experienced photographers will appreciate the manual features. It’s a comfortable camera to hold and it has the ability to take some good looking shots – even in dim light.

Neutral Day

Overall performance may not win blue ribbons in any given category, but the SX200 IS does most things very well, with an approachable interface, enough controls for enthusiasts to be happy with, a competent lens, and yes, it even takes great pictures.

Let’s Go Digital

The DIGIC-4 processor with its algorithms is able to keep the high ISO values free from disastrous noise ratios, and thus enables using high ISO values.

Cameras.co.uk

I am impressed by the Powershot SX200 IS. You are unlikely to achieve much better picture quality unless you are prepared to pay a lot more for your camera.

Digital Camera Review

It’s a solid, better-than-average performer in most respects, with great zoom range, wide-ranging control options to please everyone from novices to enthusiasts, a lucid interface, 720p video capture, and decent construction.

Steve’s Digicams

Image quality was pleasing both indoors about out. Our outdoor samples show the camera has the ability to capture excellent exposures that show good color balance, and are tac sharp.

PhotographyBLOG

The SX200 IS does lead the way in the megapixel wars, with a 12 megapixel sensor that produces the usual quality images that we’ve come to expect from Canon.

More details from Canon’s press release below.

PRESS RELEASE

The SX series cameras are designed for tech-savvy consumers looking for a little gusto in their camera with affordable high-power zoom performance. Packed with features sure to please, the new PowerShot SX1 IS and SX200 IS Digital Cameras offer an array of shooting options enabling the user to choose a product that is customized to fit their needs and enhance their overall shooting experience.

The Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera is a 10.0-Megapixel powerhouse incorporating a CMOS image sensor and 1080p Full HD Movie mode, both first-in-class features for a PowerShot camera, resulting in superb image quality and enhanced flexibility. Still images can be captured easily with a 20x wide-angle Optical Zoom lens (equivalent to 28-560 mm) with Optical Image Stabilization and a 2.8-inch vari-angle wide-format LCD for great on-camera viewing and editing. What’s more, this camera offers a full range of shooting and recording modes, including RAW + JPEG for ultimate creative control. While the camera is in Movie Mode, the PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera can easily play back video and view photos on an HDTV, via a built-in HDMI connector. With all these great features and now Full HD Movie Mode, the PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera is the perfect complement to a DSLR. The PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera is scheduled to be available in April for an estimated retail price of $599.99.

With a new sleek and sophisticated package, the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS Digital Camera offers consumers a great compact camera with DSLR-like features. The PowerShot SX200 IS Digital Camera comes loaded with a powerful 12x Optical Zoom lens and wide-angle lens (28-336 mm equivalent), and Optical Image Stabilization. This long-range seeker can get up close to subjects or capture more in the frame. Available in three colors – black, blue and red – consumers can now choose to personalize their camera according to their lifestyle. High-resolution, 12.1-Megapixels, 720p HD Movie Mode and a large 3-inch LCD screen with wide-angle viewing round out the feature set. The PowerShot SX200 IS Digital Camera is scheduled to be available at the end of March for an estimated retail price of $349.99.