chdk on sx20 expected to be (ultimately) possible?

unsolicited

3

« on: 03 / November / 2009, 10:01:41 »

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Hello.

I am wrestling with a purchase decision on SX 1/10/20 IS.
e.g. 1 CMOS/faster but no AF during burst/video, 10 cheaper, 20 CCD/slower but AF during burst, denser EVF, etc., AND, chdk could eliminate some differences. (So struggling with decision even more.) Current sense: 1 native (non chdk) speed advantages useful in a lower percentage of my shooting vs. smart auto in 20 will benefit higher percentage of my shooting at expense of speed. (Old time Canon F-1 user. And I don't have the patience that I used to, thus smart auto has a certain shine.) But, SX20 w/chdk may gain (equivalent?) speed advantages of sx1. (Although I do wonder what CMOS over CCD may bring, assuming chdk on both.)

I see chdk exists for 1, 10, but not 20.

From some of my reading (on http://chdk.wikia.com) I get a vague feeling that SX20 is sufficiently different that chdk may not, in the end, work on the SX20. This is an impression from current articles, not a statement of fact.

OTOH I see a very long porting thread for the SX20, so certainly people are trying really hard to get it there.

Could someone comment, with some definity, that they expect chdk to ultimately work on the SX20? (Given sufficient bodies, time, resources, discovery, etc., of course.)

(And before asked, yes, should I get it, I'm a reasonably experienced computer person, and may be able to help out. <sigh> BASIC lives, apparently.)

Thanks for any thoughts.

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barberofcivil

268

Re: chdk on sx20 expected to be (ultimately) possible?

« Reply #1 on: 03 / November / 2009, 10:29:13 »

Outside CHDK availability, I would personally push the SX10 over the SX20 from the feedback I've read on them. One of the big breaking points seems to be that the SX20 has more megapixels (12 vs 10), but it's on the same sized CCD, so you actually end up with more noise and lower quality pictures.

I have the SX10 and run CHDK on it fine so far. I can't comment on the SX1 at the moment as I really don't know anything about it

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unsolicited

3

Re: chdk on sx20 expected to be (ultimately) possible?

« Reply #2 on: 03 / November / 2009, 10:49:46 »

Thanks for the thought.

I agree, that the 20 has 2 more MP is irrelevant to me. I'm likely to step it down, regardless, even on the 1. The vast majority of the time, 10 MP will be far more than is useful to me. I'm thinking more 5-7 MP.

The SX1/20 both have DVI and HD capture (1080p/720p), the only other real difference between the 1/20 and 10. Except, 20 has an EVF about double the density of either; 1 has CMOS instead of CCD. Giving 1 4fps, which is an area where 10/20 may benefit from chdk.

All seem to be significantly noisy above 100, and useless above 400/800. At least according to the reviews. The attraction of these models for me is a hot shoe - I expect to acquire a 430 EX II at the same time. (I've noticed a crying need for fill flash in my shots.)

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reyalp

14080

Re: chdk on sx20 expected to be (ultimately) possible?

« Reply #3 on: 03 / November / 2009, 16:33:09 »

Quote from: unsolicited on 03 / November / 2009, 10:01:41

From some of my reading (on http://chdk.wikia.com) I get a vague feeling that SX20 is sufficiently different that chdk may not, in the end, work on the SX20. This is an impression from current articles, not a statement of fact.

No, there is no reason to believe this. Some newer cameras are slightly harder to get a dump from, and need more functions found manually, and but they are basically still the same. From http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/SX20 you can see that a dump has already been obtained for this camera.

As for when a port will or will not be made, see http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ#Q._My_camera_isn.27t_ported_yet._Is_a_port_planned_.3F_When_will_it_be_ready_.3F_How_can_I_help_.3F

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Don't forget what the H stands for.

unsolicited

3

Re: chdk on sx20 expected to be (ultimately) possible?

« Reply #4 on: 03 / November / 2009, 16:57:33 »

Quote from: reyalp on 03 / November / 2009, 16:33:09

Quote from: unsolicited on 03 / November / 2009, 10:01:41
From some of my reading (on http://chdk.wikia.com) I get a vague feeling that SX20 is sufficiently different that chdk may not, in the end, work on the SX20. This is an impression from current articles, not a statement of fact.
No, there is no reason to believe this. Some newer cameras are slightly harder to get a dump from, and need more functions found manually, and but they are basically still the same. From http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/SX20 you can see that a dump has already been obtained for this camera.

As for when a port will or will not be made, see http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ#Q._My_camera_isn.27t_ported_yet._Is_a_port_planned_.3F_When_will_it_be_ready_.3F_How_can_I_help_.3F

Thanks for letting me know.

Yes, there was every reason to believe that. Such notes as you refer to talk about timing, not possibility. My sense of the underlying tone regarding the SX20, which from your note isn't really there, particularly prior to seeing the sx20 development thread, was that the sx20 was (sufficiently) different that chdk might not be possible on it.

I asked about possibility, not timing, which you have answered with your reply. Thank you.

It might be useful if the FAQ you refer to was updated to discuss the possibility that models can/can't use chdk, not just when they might be able to do so.

Quote from: reyalp on 03 / November / 2009, 16:33:09

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/SX20 you can see that a dump has already been obtained for this camera.

That may be so, but that firmware's presence isn't particularly obvious for a newcomer to the chdk site. And nothing there addresses whether or not chdk will ever be possible. It says "CHDK is NOT available for the powershot SX20.", not, "NOT YET". To your point, it also doesn't say "WILL NOT BE available". To the newcomer, though, firmware does not imply chdk. Or vice versa. The page comes across more as "chdk does not run on this model, but here are some related resources that may be useful to you. Instead."

Thanks for your note to let me know.

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