How to take great pictures with a Canon Powershot SX1?

Has anyone ever used this camera before? I'm just starting photography, so I don't know how that much. I want photo quality like the Nikon D90, but the Canon Powershot SX1 doesn't seem to have that… Or at least, I don't know how to take good quality photos like that. Help? I don't even know how to change the exposure or shutter speed! I really need good quality photos. I really like the soft hue to the Nikon D90 photos.

Read your manual.

Would you compare a car to a horse? Both of them can get you from A to B, but surely they are too different to compare, right?

Yet here you are, comparing a P&S to a DSLR.

You like the "soft hue" in the Nikon photos? That makes NO sense at all… That "soft hue" is dependent on so many things and really has nothing to do with the camera at all.

Do yourself the favor and start doing some learning.

Attend a class, read some books, read/watch online tutorials.

The major camera manufacturers (like Canon, Nikon, Olympus etc) all have very useful sections on their website for learning about photography.

http://www.nikonusa.com/...index.page

http://www.olympusamerica.com/...center.asp

http://www.usa.canon.com/...omePageAct

http://photographycourse.net/

Understanding at least the basic principles of photography (as well as being familiar with your camera) will enable you to make the most of your gear, and will make a HUGE difference to your images.