The Canon SX1 IS adds RAW (!) and invades the US market

The Canon SX1 IS was announced at Photokina 2008 but it was only made available initially at select markets around the world. And that frustrated photographers because this camera was the first Canon compact to use their own CMOS sensors - the first one being a 10mp 1/2.33" sensor found inside this lovely. However, the curiosity of many was partially satisfied when Camera Labs posted a noise test comparison between the SX1, SX10 and a DSLR.

Already there have been a number of reviews on this camera, so there are not that many unknowns (except of course for the addition of RAW). As a quick refresher, here are the main specs, which are not that much different from the SX10 IS, which uses a standard CCD sensor:
+ 10mp 1/2.3" CMOS sensor
+ 20x optical zoom lens starting at 26mm eq with stabilization
+ full HD video mode (1080p) - versus 30fps VGA of the SX10is
+ manual exposure
+ RAW added in new units
+ current users will get RAW via firmware update
+ hot dog (oops, hot shoe!)
+ 2.8" twist-and-shout (swivel) display but SX10is has better EVF
+ AA batteries
+ ouch starting-price of $600 with April release date