I am not a camera expert, but I am an enthusiastic camera user, so I am going to give you my opinion of this camera, and then refer you to people more expert than myself.

Here are the product features and technical details of the Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP:

Product Features

• 10.0-megapixel resolution for high-quality printing and flexibility when editing
• 20x optical zoom, wide-angle lens and Optical Image Stabilizer; improved speed and quiet zooming
• 2.5-inch Vari-angle LCD; DIGIC 4 Image Processor improves Face Detection
• MovieSnap mode lets you capture high-resolution still images while shooting a movie
• Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards

Technical Details

• Brand Name: Canon
• Model: SX10IS
• Optical Sensor Resolution: 10 MP
• Optical Sensor Technology: CCD
• Optical zoom: 20 x
• Maximum Aperture Range: F/2.8-5.7
• Minimum focal length: 5 millimeters
• Maximum focal length: 100 millimeters
• Lens Type: Zoom lens
• Optical Sensor Size: 1/2.3"
• Included Flash Type: Pop-up flash
• Display Size: 2.5 inches
• Light Sensitivity: ISO 100, ISO 800, ISO 400, ISO 200, ISO 80, ISO auto, ISO 3200 (2Mpix), ISO 1600
• Image types: JPEG
• Shooting Modes: Frame movie mode
• Exposure Control Type: Beach, Night snapshot, Snow, High sensitivity, Landscape, Portrait mode, Color swap, Color accent, Aquarium, Macro, Stitch assist, Fireworks, Night scene, Sports mode, Sunset, Indoor, Foliage
• Viewfinder Type: Optical
• Width: 4.9 inches
• Depth: 3.4 inches
• Height: 3.5 inches
• Weight: 1.2 pounds

This Canon Powershot is an excellent camera, fairly lightweight, and easy to use. It takes a lot of the guesswork from picture taking, and makes it easy to just point and shoot, getting an excellent range with the wide angle. Picture quality is excellent and I like the way it feels in my hands. I don't have to be an expert photographer to get great pictures. I am more of a intuitive camera user, so I am going to refer you to some customer reviews to get more into the technical comparisons to other cameras.

This thorough customer review is very helpful, and goes into details that you may consider the deciding factor for choosing this camera.

Choosing a camera is often difficult, and you need to consider how much you will be using it, and if you will get your money back out of it, either in enjoyment of a hobby, or for business usage.  If you know you want the best available, I recommend going for the Canon Powershot SX10IS, but you know how you will use your camera best, so choose the model that best fits your needs.

I like to have a camera that can transfer from business to pleasure, and will allow me to enjoy taking a picture in the moment without a lot of set up time.  Have a sharp, correct image is extremely important in the art business that I am in, and also for posting images online for an article.  But I also want a camera that is easy to tote around with me from place to place.  I love the terrific zoom in ability of the Canon Powershot SX10IS, and that is what made me fall in love with that model.

I have to say that with all the bells and whistles that the Canon Powershot cameras have, even the Canon Powershot SX10IS is easy enough for my 12 year old daughter to use. The buttons are placed well on the camera, and she can handle it quite well.

I highly recommend the Canon Powershot SX10IS, but the other models are good also. So compare the features, and choose the camera that fits your needs best.

Have fun shooting!