Canon SX1 PDF User Manual
Did you lose or misplace the instruction manual that came with your Canon PowerShot SX1 IS? It happens all too easily, but fortunately Canon makes a soft copy available that you can browse through online, print out, or download (see the pdf file below). It is certainly good practice to carefully familiarize oneself with the many different functionalities and options that the SX1 offers, and the official user manual is without doubt an authoritative and comprehensive source of respective information.
That said, the instruction booklet can be a dry read, so that a dedicated camera guide book from a professional photographer that illustrates the camera's core functions in a real life photography context can be a very helpful complement. Yes, getting one of these camera guides (see here at amazon) would involve an additional expense, but if that book helps to exploit the camera's potential to the full, the (small) additional investment may well be worth it.
In any case, the SX1 is an advanced imaging tool, whose many features merit serious attention. This fixed lens compact camera was announced on September 17th, 2008, which means that, as of today, the camera is 5704 days old (young?). The camera has meanwhile been discontinued, but there has not been a direct replacement model for the SX1 from Canon.
Canon's user guide for the SX1
The camera's user guide is 308 pages long. The pdf version is embedded below. As you browse through, you will hopefully find the information you are looking for. You can also print out a hard copy by right clicking on the manual and then choosing the respective menu option. For convenience, a summary of the key specs of the SX1 is included towards the bottom of this webpage.
Don't forget to bookmark this page for future reference (Ctrl-Shift-D on a Windows PC; Cmd-Shift-D on a Mac). Happy browsing!
Click on the button below to download the pdf version of the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS manual to your computer. The file will open in a new browser window.
If you prefer to read the user guide in another language, please check the respective availability on Canon's support site. That site also provides complementary online resources, such as information on the compatibility of various camera accessories or the availability of firmware updates that are not necessarily comprehensively covered in the instruction manual.
Printed, hardcopy versions of the Canon SX1 manual can sometimes be found online. You can check the availability on amazon and ebay via the buttons below.
Canon SX1 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the SX1.
What technology is the imaging sensor in the Canon SX1 based on?
The camera has a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Canon SX1?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600.
Does the Canon SX1 feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Canon SX1 for flash photography?
The SX1's flash sync speed is 1/500 sec.
Which battery does the Canon SX1 use?
The camera gets its power from the Canon 4xAA, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Further reading
How does the SX1 stack up against available alternatives? In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
- Canon 50D vs Canon SX1
- Canon 90D vs Sony A9 II
- Canon SX1 vs Contax N Digital
- Canon SX1 vs Fujifilm X-A1
- Canon SX1 vs Fujifilm XP120
- Canon SX1 vs Panasonic FZ200
- Canon SX1 vs Sony H300
- Canon SX740 vs Sony A9 II
- Fujifilm X-T30 vs Sony A9 II
- Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A9 II
- Sony A5000 vs Sony A9 II
- Sony A9 II vs Sony RX0 II
Core camera specifications
Here is a list of the main features and technical characteristics of the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.
| Camera Model | Canon SX1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | |
| Camera Lens | 28-560mm f/2.8-5.7 | |
| Launch Date | September 2008 | |
| Launch Price | USD 599 | |
| Sensor Specs | ||
| Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
| Sensor Format | 1/2.3" Sensor | |
| Sensor Size | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | |
| Sensor Area | 28 mm2 | |
| Sensor Diagonal | 7.7 mm | |
| Crop Factor | 5.6x | |
| Sensor Resolution | 10 Megapixels | |
| Image Resolution | 3 648 x 2 736 pixels | |
| Pixel Pitch | 1.67 μm | |
| Pixel Density | 35.55 MP/cm2 | |
| Moiré control | no AA filter | |
| Movie Capability | 1080/30p Video | |
| ISO Setting | 100 - 1 600 ISO | |
| ISO Boost | 100 - 3 200 ISO | |
| Screen Specs | ||
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 202k dots | |
| Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
| LCD Framing | Live View | |
| LCD Size | 2.8 inch | |
| LCD Resolution | 230k dots | |
| LCD Attachment | Swivel screen | |
| V-logging Friendliness | No front-flip | |
| Touch Input | No touchscreen | |
| Shooting Specs | ||
| Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
| Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/3200s | |
| Continuous Shooting | 4 shutter flaps/s | |
| Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
| Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
| Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
| Storage Medium | SDHC cards | |
| Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
| UHS card support | no | |
| Connectivity Specs | ||
| External Flash | Hotshoe | |
| USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
| HDMI Port | YES HDMI | |
| Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
| Body Specs | ||
| Battery Type | Canon 4xAA power pack | |
| Body Dimensions |
128 x 88 x 88 mm (5.0 x 3.5 x 3.5 in) |
|
| Camera Weight | 615 g (21.7 oz) | |
Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.
You are here: Home » Canon SX1 Review » Canon SX1 User Manual