This is actually a good (tough) question. It’s the video that puts a snag in everything. You see, for 6 bills, that’s a lot.

I think that the photo quality of all compact and megazoom cameras is garbage, I won’t put sugar on it. That’s at all prices, all brands. They continue to increase pixels with every model, but the sensor size is the same (very tiny) and the quality is going down.

On price alone, I’d say no way. Get a dSLR. You could get a old Canon XT or XTi used, for about 250-300 bucks body only that will blow away any compact or megazoom camera.

But the video is the thing…

You seem to want it, and actually use it.

dSLRs that do video are still rare and pricey.

The SX1 does 1080p, can you see that 1080p? Your current TV? Do you have a computer powerful enough to edit and view 1080p? Can you share or plan on sharing 1080p?

I’d lean toward the SX10 at 200+ dollars less. 599 is just too much in my opinion for something that is going to deliver medicore pics. I don’t expect much from a compact that’s 1 or 2 hundred bucks, but 6 hundred is hard to swallow. Nikon’s d40, Sony’s Alpha A200 are dSLRs and cost a bit less, but no video. A canon XS dSLR can be had for close to that price, but again no video.

It’d look for a decent compact for $250 bucks that does video and no more since more money won’t get you better still photos.

Anyway, that’s my two cents.