Understanding canon Powershot SX (HS) cameras - Part 4: Shooting Video

[@gladallover2004]

Graham. Thanks so much for the videos. I have recently bought a SX260HS and found your tuition really invaluable. I will get so much more from it thanks to your tips.

[@tempkulewa]

Superlative video. I am just learning to use my SX260 and this video has helped me a lot. I will watch it again a few more times.

[@ggwildlife]

These have been the best set of videos regarding the SX220 thanks

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Many thanks for your comment, really appreciated.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

***** Really depends upon what you want to use the camera for as to which model will be most appropriate

[@cashmoreoctober1973]

Graham thanks for the wonderful videos. I want to visit the UK someday. I just bought a SX520 HS and i love it so far its flawless.

[@pacificnorthwester]

Thank you for your reply, Graham. I have figured out what you mean. Your videos have been most helpful.

[@denton13able]

Thank you for all that info, Graham. Have an SX240 on order as a replacement for the aging Lumix TZ6. The latest Lumix seem to be overpopulated with pixels and have no external charger, so am changing to Powershot. Brian,

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Many thanks for the comment, glad you found my video useful.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Hi Chris, yes I use Vegas 11 for most of my video projects. AVCHD does take a lot of computing power to be able to play smoothly. Unless you have a dual or quad core pc running at 2.6mHz it is unlikely it will play smoothly. The work around is to convert the avchd to a less compressed avi file and then edit that. There are a lot of free versions of mts to avi around - just do a search for them. It adds an extra step but you can then edit the files easily.

[@1015SaturdayNight]

FANTASTIC!! I just got an SX50 HS and I'm completely overwhelmed LOL...I guess they don't call them bridge cameras for nothing!

[@AdventureTimeOutdoors]

Hey man I just bought a canon powershot sx60 hs and this video really helped me out. Thanks so much

[@pacificnorthwester]

Excellent video Graham. I have a rookie question- Is it possible to pause the movie recording, then continue, numerous times? Thank you kindly, Rusty.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

I hate to make recommendations as everyone's needs are different. What I can say is that both cameras perform extremely well in both still and video mode. The TZ scores a little more if you like arty filters as all of them work with video. The SX only a few work. The SX is more customisable for image quality, and that's something I like. In bright sunshine both suffer from blown highlights however in overcast the results are great and I think the SX has the edge here wit the ability to customise

[@_Per_Aspera_Ad_Astra_]

great - love your reviews. Got the 740HS, but still no time to play with it. Usually on Auto and background either all white without cloud sky contrast or out of focus ... Thanks for your review.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thanks for the feedback on the series, it is appreciated. The HX20v has 50(60)p video frame rate which gives really nice smooth motion it is only let down by the fact it only has 1 aperture setting and an ND filter so the creative work is out of the question, however for point and shoot video it is the winner for me.

[@Delaaa05]

please how pause video on this camera

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Hi, if you are talking about the in camera playback then yes the volume is quite low, it ts meant i guess as confirmation that audio is being recorded. It's not like a mobile phone where you can really turn up the volume.

[@nige99]

hi graham i bought sx700 hs because of you very pleased it !

[@denton13able]

Ordered one battery that has arrived before the camera. Yes, small, aren't they! Back to online ordering for another. Have you reviewed any bridge cameras, Graham? For a viewfinder camera I still use the Konica Minolta A200, which is still working well. Has a manual zoom, optional manual focussing and a tilting screen, even if it is small. Modern cameras are just catching up. Only drawback is the low-res video mode. Which would be the best site for exchanging chat? You have a blog - join?

[@Waynegoproductions]

Hello Graham. I am having a hard time getting my color accent and color swap features to work. Can you make a video on how to do this in both photos and video? Thanks. Your videos have been helpful so far. This is my first camera so trying to get used to all the settings.

[@nelgold1]

Hi Graham, I have a canon sx230hs - is there any chance of you doing a series of chdk tutorials? I am particularly interested in a tutorial regarding Subject distance (focus) bracketing. Keeping my fingers crossed. Best regards, Nel

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thanks for the comment, replied to Sean Palmer with the other topics.

[@SeanPalmer62]

I went for the SX260 in the end Graham, it was looking really good until reviewing the video, unfortunately I seem to have got one that has the a high pitched squeal in the background of the audio, I'm getting it replaced with one they tested ok.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

I think you will enjoy the 240 it has lots of creative potential, make sure to buy a couple of 3rd party batteries to keep you shooting for longer periods

[@teetran0123]

thank you for all instructions that you gave on these videos, Very helpful. Lately the pictures that i took is not clear and nice like the first time I follow your instructions. Is there anyway that I need to do to make the picture clear and nice? thank you so much

[@SeanPalmer62]

Superb job once again Graham, many thanks for these, I can't make my mind up between the TZ30 and the SX260, both look good to me can I ask which would you choose Graham?

[@GrahamHoughton12]

OK I'll try and feature this in the next video.

[@PhotoSportiv]

hi graham many thanks for the Canon tutorials, and keep up the good work. Im trying to figure out Sony Vegas 10/11 (maybe youre not conversant with it I didnt know)to make a little video/picture project with what I did on holiday. I shot in full HD (1920 by 1080) but on Vegas it doesnt play smoothly and keeps on lagging so therefore cant start my project. Could you suggest something? many thanks Chris

[@Innuband]

That's an awsome tutorial, thanks very much indeed for posting!

[@GrahamHoughton12]

thank you glad you like dit.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

It records in full hd 24fps at about 4mins per Gigabyte. It will record continuously up to 29mins 59sec in UK models. so for a 32GB card you should get 2 hours of video, depending upon subject because of the variable bit rate recording method

[@PoetDoc8]

Thank you, Graham. I wish they had this basic information where an average customer can find it readily. Maybe they do and I am below average. :) Thank you again...Jack

[@PhotoSportiv]

hi graham Well, i changed the format of most of the videos to .avi and/or .wmv and changed it to 720p. I am using Sony Vegas 10, maybe I should use Magix as im more knowledgable of that, however I need to get another copy of it. Im still having problems. In SV the vids are still lagging in the review window, and in some cases my converted files seem to 'skip', i.e. from 10 secs to bout 55 secs. Im only videoing 1 or 2min clips max - what a Palava!!!

[@GautamUpadhyay-Delhi-India]

As a lay man my observations are : TZ30 is good for video and not so good for Still photography specially at low light or high ISO. It has excellent continuous auto focus which delivers crisp high quality video of even moving objects and while panning and zooming in video mode. Still pictures show noise /grain even in ISO 100 and onward. But some have opinion that it gives better detailing in still pictures and noise can always be reduced while details can't be added in editing the pictures.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

A nice pocket camera, when you get the audio sorted.

[@renancamargo1611]

Very useful informations. Thanks

[@nelgold1]

Hi Graham, thanks for your reply. I hope you find time for such tutorials in the future. Seasons greetings nelgold1

[@PhotoSportiv]

hi graham, Many thanks for your reply. So you suggest converting the files to .avi, right? how much quality will be lost and will it change the 16:9 to 4:3? Ive just come across Movavi Video Converter 11, I think Ill give that a go. I just cant understand why it wont play as Ive an ASUS dual core laptop,thought it would be okay, but seems to be 2.3Ghz.I think ill take the video down a notch, say 1080 x 720, perhaps that would work so I dont need to keep converting the files.

[@dennislockwood65]

I really appreciate your tutorials, I have a sx240 hs , which is very good except I can't find the EV exposure bracket menu which I like to use on my other cameras. It is very boring to adjust between 3 exposures, is there a better way? Dennis.

[@ShinyArjunSingh]

Nice one, Subscribed. Please keep'em comin...

[@jeffparryncc1701]

Hi Graham, great series. I have an Sx60 hs and find it really difficult to take night time indoor video. It's very grainy, no matter what setting or exposure I play with. Any tips? Thanks.

[@nefflz]

Just bought the sx260 hs for a mere $20 (AU). So your videos have been very helpful thank you. But can the iso be adjusted for video mode?

[@SeanPalmer62]

Sorry Graham I shouldn't have asked that really, thanks anyway, must admit I am swaying towards the Canon now, I do like the colours better taking an average from users on flickr compared the the TZ30, one other thing I do like is the firmware hack/mod, I have magic lantern on the 60D and have used chdk, sounds like it will be available for the Canon soon also, if the others are anything to go by it could be worth trying. I don't think I will get away with buying both cameras!! Thanks again.

[@LEMONZzHDZz]

Hey graham I have a sx510HS and Im new to photography do you know what would be the best settings to have when I'm shooting fast paced skating videos?

[@dileshlamsal]

Thanks a lot for the post graham....appreciated !!

[@scottcdean]

What camera is this? I have the new sx280HS and it has different features than the one you're showing

[@ayit37]

Hi Graham, I have just found you. I have a canon sx50 bridge camera but have found your first four videos very good and I can relate there to the sx50. Have you done anything on the sx50?? Thanks Hugh

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Not to the SX50 only the compact powershot range. I did own a sx50 briefly but didn't make any tutorials on it

[@deRutasyDestinos]

Hello Graham. Sorry for my english. I'm trying to record videos while driving (route / streets with the camera correctly mounted / fixed) but the images are always "flicking". I dont know if this is for the IS Stabilization or AF / Servo options (I can't recognize if this effect is because the camera is permantly focusing or stabilizing the images). May you recommend me the correct configuration to record this type of videos? (SX220). Previously with a Canon S3 I have not any problem (only "Video" mode and everything fine). Thanks a lot.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

thanks for your reply.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Whilst what you say is true there are different techniques to improve apparent sharpness/resolution of high iso picture by high pass sharpening and luminance blending the two layers appling a slight blur to mask noise. Most sensors of this size exhibit noise at high iso which leads to loss of resolution due to noise. Video isn't as critical so the apparent better quality is due to this fact.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

I've got and used CHDK on my powershot cameras, I've a few more tutorials to finish on the FZ200 before I could do that one.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Yes the lcd, like most compacts, is useless in sunshine. I have to use my viewing loupe to see in such conditions.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

How are your images not clear, blurred images? Is you lens clean and not full of finger prints dust etc? the more information you can give the better will be my suggested solution.

[@SerbianConspiracy]

good video

[@GrahamHoughton12]

thanks for the reply, appreciated

[@teetran0123]

Yes, the pictures are blurred. I did clean the lens and even go back to these vedeos to set it up again, but still blurred. Is ther any further step that i need to do? Please advice. Thank you so much.

[@meghanarishi8935]

sir I have sx720hs. Which video mode is bettr for low light video 720p 30fps or 1080p 60fps... when i use 720p 60fps.. the video looks flat in low light .. when i chose 1080p 60fps the video is very noisy...

[@adlialsaeedi3835]

Thank you very much Sir

[@QuangPham-sx1ie]

I'm trying to find the panoramic mode of this camera but I can't. Is it available on the cam?

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Hi no it shouldn't change the video format of 16:9 and you won't loose that much quality, your suggestion of recording in 720p will also help in the editing of the video. Let me know how you get on.

[@Waynegoproductions]

Awesome. Thanks!

[@vapinggrandad7317]

I am using a Canon Legria HF G25 which shoots video at 50i would I be able to use video from Canon SX60 with the Legria in Powerdirector 14 ultimate? The legria is used at home but using a walking stick and mobility scooter the legria is to bulky on my monopod thats why I want the SX60 for vid and try photo when out and about

[@cynmille2000]

I have a canon sx50. when i recorded my videos I use a mounted ring light on the front of the camera and a huge standing ring light. How do i set the camera so the colors dont look washed out. i use a lot of light because my room is dark

[@GrahamHoughton12]

It is probably that the camera is overexposing the video, try using some -EV (negative exposure compensation) to reduce the exposure the camera is givibg

[@cynmille2000]

Graham Houghton Thank You Sir for responding back.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

I think if you subscribe you can use the private message facility of youtube, that's what most of my subscribers do if they want longer explanations etc as the standard comments are limited in length.

[@PoetDoc8]

Graham, thank you. For how long can one video with this camera? I have a 32 GB card that came with the camera, but nowhere can I find for how long I can video. I have to record a presentation and want to know how long I have to do it. Thank you kindly, Jack

[@candyspoint]

Can you pls. Show me how to take a great live concert video with this.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

The video mode is really fully automatic with this camera there is not a lot you can do to influence the final outcome of the video. For best results you need to shoot 1920 HD video. Audio is usually a problem when recording these events.

[@candyspoint]

Ok, thank you very much for the info.

[@nkroy1]

Hi, this camera is excellent but has no EVF....

[@harshithacharya2818]

How to pause a video.. ?

[@yenigun5438]

thank

[@GrahamHoughton12]

This is the SX240HS

[@ralphmcgiffin1657]

Canonsx710hs explanation

[@GrahamHoughton12]

No the way these cameras work is to do a series of clips every time you use the start stop button, it is then usually in editing you trim and join them to give better continuity etc.

[@GautamUpadhyay-Delhi-India]

You can get free video convertor " Quick Media Convertor" From cocoonsoftware to convert your video in avi and mp4. It even have option to convert file to KZbin format 720P and 1080P

[@GrahamHoughton12]

if you could email a camera jpeg image to me I can look at the camera information and advise. ghough12@yahoo(dot) com