Canon PowerShot SX200IS 12 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-inch LCD (Black) by Canon
|
List Price: Our Price: $307.49 You Save: $21.51 (7%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $140.00 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Canon PowerShot SX200IS 12 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-inch LCD (Black)
Digital camera Review: Excellent SLR replacement/backup
Summary: 5 Stars
The Short Version: I love this camera. While it has a few clear weaknesses, it more than makes up for them in quality, ability, and manual controls.
Background: I am a photography enthusiast. Not the kind who stalks around taking random pictures of strangers, or who wanders the forest looking for interesting plants. The kind who enjoys taking pictures at events: quiz meets, softball games, weddings, etc. to share with friends. I own a Canon EOS 50D (digital SLR) but also like to have a smaller point-and-shoot for travel or situations where the "snap-click" noise of an SLR is unacceptable. My last point-and-shoot had proved bad for the lower-light situations where I tend to shoot, and a wedding was coming up that I wanted to cover. In the past, I had always gone for ultra-compacts but this time around I wanted something that could handle both low-light and long zooms while still being pocketable. I tried an Olympus Stylus 9000 (returned due to impossibility of focusing reliably and blur indoors) and researched the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. But in the end, I chose the Canon Powershot SX200 IS and purchased it from Amazon.Com.
The Good: This camera is a joy to use. It has an automatic mode, a "super-easy" mode, 5 scene modes, a dedicated "special scenes" mode with less-used options, video, full manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and Program mode, like an SLR. Unlike the competition, the camera has nearly as much customizability as an SLR and the controls are fairly easy to use due to a new menu structure for Canon camera. The pictures are clear, crisp, and has relatively low noise even down to 1600 and 3200, when compared to other point-and-shoot models. The SDHC card slot will accommodate even the largest 32 GB models of memory card (yes, I tested with one those those) and saving to card is quick. The 3.0" LCD on the back is also clear and crisp. And I love the "selective desaturization" mode in the camera. And how do you beat 12x zoom (28 to 300mm equivalent lens) in this size package?!
The Bad: The camera is not perfect. First, while very pocketable, it is not an ultra-compact - it is about as long as an iPhone but 4 to 5 times as thick and it is has definite heft in your hand and pocket. Second, time from shot to shot is not quick, even in "burst" mode, sometimes taking a full second or 2 to recycle between shots. Third, battery is life is only moderate - over the course of a wedding and reception (about 8 hours) I went through 3 fully-charged batteries, and the batteries themselves take over 2 hours to recharge. Finally, when zoomed to the extreme, the camera often finds it hard to find a focal point and may vacillate between two of them, forcing you to let go of the shutter and recompose the shot. This lead me to lose a few really critical photographs.
The Bottom Line: This camera is a keeper, but you'll want to keep your SLR for the most important or challenging occasions. The 12x zoom is great for getting in close or finding a good wide-angle option. It is pocketable, has a plethora of manual options to allow you to get the best shot, has several really fun auto options, and comes in at under $400 even at the expensive shops. How much did I like this camera? Let's just say that I am now one of 3 friends who all own the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS.
Digital camera Review: Excellent camera with little or no cons
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all, the HDMI a/v door has been said to be flimsy and cheap by many. The door is plastic and it moves around and is on a rubber hinge. This is specifically designed that way. It is not an oversight by Cannon. It is a protective feature that allow you to plug and un-plug your cable using your fat fingers without damaging the door or hinge, which is bad. If the door or hinge bends, the door does not close and dust settles in. Pretty smart of Cannon huh?
Night shots and low light pics are great. Many reviews state otherwise but it is not Cannon's fault if someone does not know how to operate or adjust the camera to appropriate settings when taking these shots. IF you only use easy or Auto for every pic, you wasted a great deal of money on this camera when you could have bought a more simple point and shoot without all the options and settings for half the price.
Camera is compact and can fit in my pocket but I wear baggy pants. IF you wear these slim pants people wear tody, no way will it fit in your pocket. This is not really a pocket camera (like the Elphs) but for the amout of optical zoom, it is quite small. Compared to the ELPHS, it is probably 0.5 inches thicker and 1 inch wider.
It is somewhat heavy but not anything that will be bothersome or affect pics; remember there is a big lens in this camera. Probably extends 3 inches.
Video is great and has 4x zoom. However, quality diminishes with zoom. Appears to be a digital zoom in video mode.I have a Cannon HG 20 so the video was a deciding factor for me but if it is for you, check out zoom quality before you purchase.
Another cons I have seen on multiple reviews is the placement of the flash. The flash is located where some would place their left index finger (on top of the camera, but fortuantely Cannon thought of that (despite the reviews) and the flash pops out and the moves forward so 75% of the top of the camera, where some would place thier finger, is still available. I am one of those people and there are no issues at all with the place ment of the flash: even if you want to put your finger on the front of the camera.
Digital camera Review: Excellent!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great camera- the macro is just as amazing as I expected. My only complaint is that the image quality is a little worse in low light, but that may be just in comparison to the superb macro images.Digital camera Review: Fabulous Little Camera
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are looking for a camera that does it all..but is simple to work...this is it! I am not the techie kind of person. I wanted simple with flexibility and have it with this camera. Plenty of settings from Automatic to portrait to landscape to action and if you want to set shutter speed & apature you can do that too. It even has video capabilities.
The ease of use is a godsend. One button the turn it on, one to zoom in and one to take the photo. You press down the button to take the photo 1/2 way and it focuses the shot. Push down the rest of the way and snap your photo. If the camera can't focus on what you are trying to shoot because you are too close or some other reason then the button won't go the whole way down. I like this feature. I'm sure that it would be more valuable in a film camera...however no use wasting memory for no good reason.
Photos come out clear. It's easy to delete photos as you go or all at once. I haven't worked much with the video settings yet.
If you need a reliable camera that takes great photos this is it!
Digital camera Review: Fast, great images. Excellent Zoom!
Summary: 5 Stars
Title says it all.
Only drawback is that it does not have a viewfinder so you cannot conserve battery by turning off the LCD.