the sx20 porting thread

7heEnd

First of all hello everyone, this is my first post here.
I also want to beg for my english, although it should be understandable.
I think CHDK is one of the coolest things I've ever seen! 😁
At the end of this year I'm gonna buy a P&S camera (Canon with CHDK of course), and I really like this sx20. It looks like a serious camera (even though I know it's not) 😁
I am wavering between this one and the sx200is which is pretty developed in the CHDK porting.

Anyway, my question is: why the sx20is build is a BETA version yet?
Is there somewhere a list of "what to do" and "what is done" features?
Can someone give me any advise about this camera?
Will dng4ps2, rawtherapee and so on work with sx20is shots?

Thanks everyone will answer, and sorry if my post was OT: I didn't know where to post it.

fe50

The latest (changeset #902), ready-to-use CHDK binary (standard & full) packages for the
SX20 1.02b
Ixus85_SD770 1.00a
are available from here: [tt]http://drop.io/chdkbeta[/tt]

The naming scheme is like on the AB server...[tt]
s2is-100e-0.9.9-865-full_BETA.zip
| | | | | |
| | | | | +-- optional: BETA means: port is in beta state, some minor features may not work
| | | | +------- optional: package type, full means: complete package incl. lang files, fonts etc.
| | | +------------ SVN trunk version, the development build number (automatically set)
| | +----------------- CHDK version number (manually set)
| +---------------------- firmware version
+--------------------------- camera model[/tt]

franklanzkie

I have a question. First, I'm new to CHDK. I really appreciate all the work that has gone into developing a port for the SX20...I really needed to be able save in RAW/DNG. Anyway, on to my question:

If I download the 1.02b Beta port located here ---> acid2000 Bitbucket <--- do I have to do anything extra to the .zip file or is it already built? I'm on a Mac running OS X 10.6 and I plan on using the Applescript from the Mac FAQ to prep my SD card & install CHDK.

rambler

Is there a problem with the new version of the SX20 chdk After installing the E31 message pops up and the darkness

zeno

@franklanzkie

if you download that zip and unzip it to a folder, you can use my SDMInst OSX app to prepare the card and copy the files. I know it's called SDMInst, but it will install CHDK just as well.

See http://www.zenoshrdlu.com/clickpansdm/sdminst.html

SkyWalker9

7heEnd
At the end of this year I'm gonna buy a P&S camera (Canon with CHDK of course), and I really like this sx20. It looks like a serious camera (even though I know it's not) 😁
I am wavering between this one and the sx200is which is pretty developed in the CHDK porting.

Anyway, my question is: why the sx20is build is a BETA version yet?
Is there somewhere a list of "what to do" and "what is done" features?
Can someone give me any advise about this camera?
Will dng4ps2, rawtherapee and so on work with sx20is shots?

Which is better? Canon PowerShot SX20 IS or Canon SX200 IS?
SX20 by far but they are a lot alike. Some things to consider are what capabilities do you need or want and how are you planning on using the camera:
- SX20 is DEFINITELY better... but it's also more expensive...
- The SX20IS is NOT a compact P&S - the SX200IS is a compact P&S
- The SX200IS does not have an external hotshoe like the SX20IS, so you cannot use an external flash that requires the hotshoe. An external flash is very important to me (especially for special indoor events). An external flash gives you much better results - better colors, prevents red eye, prevents "crazy" animal eyes, avoids annoying shadows, etc.
- If you want to use filters (polarizing, Neutral Density, Graduated Neutral Density, UV, etc.) then you'll want the SX20IS. I have been using some of the products from Lensmate with no problem and I am pleased with their quality.
- There are more close-up accessories available for the SX20IS (DCR250, etc.)
- If you want to use a lens hood to prevent flare, then you'll want the SX20IS
- The SX20IS allows you to zoom while recording stereo video; I not sure the SX200IS allows zoom while recording
- The SX20IS is definitely more bulkier like a DSLR, but without the bulkier telephoto lenses.
- Canon PowerShot SX20 IS is better with 20x wide-angle optical Image Stabilized zoom and 2.5-inch articulating LCD. The articulating LCD has proven indispensable to me when shooting at ground level, when shooting holding the camera over my head (crowds, parades, etc.) and to take photos of people when they aren't expecting it - for more natural expressions.

Both are good cameras. If you want great zoom and more capabilities then Canon PowerShot SX20is is better for you but if you want compact one then Canon SX200is is your choice. Here's a nice comparison link: http://www.shopping.com/xSBS-Canon-PowerShot-SX-200-IS-Canon-PowerShot-SX20-IS~PT-xPO~P-1~PRDLT-82900411-88067442

Special notes:
- Please keep in mind that since you haven't bought your camera yet, CHDK for the firmware version of the newer camera will probably not be released for a while. Canon creates new firmware releases often for the cameras and with each new release there is usually a delay before someone is able to port a CHDK. However, the delay will give you time to get familiar with the capabilities of the new camera.
- You will see beta versions (1.02b, 1.02c, etc.) until they "mature" as people test the results over time. Each new beta release adds even more capabilities to the already available Canon capabilities!
- The most up-to-date list of features can be found in the User's Guide available from the CHDK webpage (http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK)

SkyWalker9

rambler
Is there a problem with the new version of the SX20 chdk After installing the E31 message pops up and the darkness

Not with the one @ACID2000 provided about 3 weeks ago: http://bitbucket.org/acid2000/chdk_sx20/downloads

Have you checked your camera's firmware using "ver.req" to be sure it is 1.02b ? If not, refer to the FAQ question "How can I get the original firmware version number of my camera?": http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ

7heEnd

SkyWalker9
Which is better? Canon PowerShot SX20 IS or Canon SX200 IS?
[...]

Many thanks for the detailed reply, but I had already done some research on the cameras: all you said is correct (even that sx200IS can't zoom while recording videos unless chdk).

My doubts concern closely the CHDK!
Since here -> http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/SX20 it's written <CHDK for the powershot SX20 remains in beta>, and I checked other beta-CHDKed camera's pages not finding that sad word (REMAINS), I wonder: chdk for sx20 will always be beta?
Could anyone explain what are the differences between sx20is-beta-CHDK and a full-CHDK? What features does it miss? I think it could be an interesting thing to know for many people.
Thanks in advance, 7heEnd.

kaoticwarrior02

@SkyWalker, can you please post your Raw Settings from your display menu. Will be greatly appreciated.

fe50

7heEnd
Since here -> http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/SX20 it's written <CHDK for the powershot SX20 remains in beta>, and I checked other beta-CHDKed camera's pages not finding that sad word (REMAINS), I wonder: chdk for sx20 will always be beta?
Could anyone explain what are the differences between sx20is-beta-CHDK and a full-CHDK?

When a new camera is ported, the port stays in BETA phase for some time, dependend on the feedback of the users and also on the time the porter/developer invests...
BETA state will be removed after some weeks/months when the common CHDK features are working & the feedback of testers is positive.
The SX20 1.02b has been included into the official CHDK source code tree (the "trunk") some day's ago, only one feedback/user report (reply #666, still open) until now... 😉

henkg

Error E31 when using PS.FI2 and manually loading CHDK with:
The latest (changeset #902), ready-to-use CHDK binary (standard & full) packages for the
SX20 1.02b (from: http://drop.io/chdkbeta)
Script: Camera play button; menu button; one up; firmware update; message Update firmware version? 1.0.2.0 -> 1.1.0.0; OK

Additional info:
FW version: 1.02b
Reformatted a 8 Gb card (GParted).
One partition, primary, FAT32.
Copied PS.FI2, DISKBOOT.BIN to root folder
Copied folder CHDK
Previous CHDK beta versions for SX20 1.0b (autoboot on a 4Gb FAT12 formatted card) did (auto)load OK.

Same problem as Rambler wrote? (reply #666)

fe50

henkg
Error E31 when using PS.FI2 and manually loading CHDK

Thx for testing.
Could you test the version without games etc. from this link:
[tt]http://drop.io/chdkbeta/asset/sx20-102b-0-9-9-902-beta-without-games-zip[/tt]
(copy the ps.fi2 file from this zip to the card) ?

Maybe a low-memory issue, maybe acid2000's source code from his test build is different to the last published sources...

savalangh

fe50

henkg
Error E31 when using PS.FI2 and manually loading CHDK

Thx for testing.
Could you test the version without games etc. from this link:

I installed this release with fat32 and fat formated 2GB card with lock and unlock modes, but after installing E31 error appeares and the chdk does not work yet

SkyWalker9

kaoticwarrior02
@SkyWalker, can you please post your Raw Settings from your display menu. Will be greatly appreciated.

I uploaded a photo (422 KB) of the settings I used for the 2010 Prelude to the Dream race on Wednesday: http://rapidshare.com/files/397866398/Raw_settings_I_used_from_2010_Prelude_to_the_Dream_race.JPG
While I may change several settings for a photo (I use M and Av a lot), I typically change only one setting when switching between RAW/DNG and Canon Fine settings and that is to disable/enable RAW and leave the rest of the RAW Menu settings alone.

henkg

About E31 error when manually loading CHDK:
@fe50:

Could you test the version without games etc. from this link:
http://drop.io/chdkbeta/asset/sx20-102b-0-9-9-902-beta-without-games-zip
(copy the ps.fi2 file from this zip to the card) ?

I tried both versions. Although exactly the same filesize, I retried, using the file in the link above.
Same result: E31 (followed by the CHDK splash screen for much less than 1 second, and a camera shutdown.

acid2000

The SX20 does not support manual loading for reasons on page 2/3 of this thread, please use auto load.

DandyOne

I have one issue that is not really that important, but confuses me.
All the photographs that are taken vertically are upside down when I open them in image processing program later. Horizontal pictures are ok.

SkyWalker9

DandyOne
I have one issue that is not really that important, but confuses me.
All the photographs that are taken vertically are upside down when I open them in image processing program later. Horizontal pictures are ok.

Does the same thing happen when using a SD card that hasn't been setup for CHDK? If so, then it wouldn't be a CHDK issue. Which direction do you rotate your camera to take your vertical shots, 90 degress clockwise or 90 degrees counterclockwise? I have a friend who use to shoot his vertical shots on a tripod rotated clockwise 90 degrees (which resulted in "upside down" photos when displayed on his computer).

Assuming you rotate your camera counterclockwise and the problem happens with only a CHDK SD card, then what image processing program do you use and which platform (Photoshop CS3, Windows, etc.)

DandyOne

This only happens with CHDK SD card, and I didn't really pay that much attention which way I rotated the camera. I'll try both orientations when I take some pictures next time.
I used Photoshop CS5 and ACDSee Pro 3 under Windows. Both RAW and JPG pictures are upside down.

SkyWalker9

DandyOne
This only happens with CHDK SD card, and I didn't really pay that much attention which way I rotated the camera. I'll try both orientations when I take some pictures next time.
I used Photoshop CS5 and ACDSee Pro 3 under Windows. Both RAW and JPG pictures are upside down.

I just ran a test using a CHDK SD card and a non-CHDK SD card and got the following results:

1. CHDK SD card: Depending on which direction you rotate the camera determines if the photo will be right side up or upside down.
2. non-CHDK SD card: You can rotate the camera either direction and both will be right side up.

So CHDK appears to be directionally sensitive to vertical shots - at least currently on SX20IS cameras. I never tried verticals rotated clockwise on my SX20IS before this, so this was a surprise to me. In this case CHDK acts like a normal film camera when taking vertical shots.

Out of curiosity I checked the horizontals taking photos right side up and up side down. Both CHDK SD cards and non-CHDK SD cards took photos like a film camera - the right side up photos displayed right side up and the up side down photos displayed up side down.

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