1. New 10-megapixel High Sensitivity System; DIGIC 4 Image Processor
2. Improved low-light image performance, plus a Low Light scene mode for ISO settings up to 12,800
3. Customizable control ring for easy access and operation of manual or other creative shooting settings
4. Wide-angle 3.8x optical zoom with Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer; bright f/2.0 lens
5. RAW + JPEG shooting and recording modes; capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Editorial Review :

The pocketable PowerShot S90 gives powerful everyday shooting. Shoot quickly with a lens control ring and get superior low-light performance with a high-sensitivity 10.0 MP CCD and f/2.0 lens.A high-sensitivity CCD sensor gives outstanding image quality in a wide variety of lighting conditions. Even images taken at high ISOs show exceptionally low noise levels and a wide dynamic range.A bright f/2.0 aperture allows exceptional versatility, capturing low-light images and fast-moving subjects at higher shutter speeds. A wide angle of 28mm lets you put more in the frame, while Canon's optical IS reduces blur caused by camera shake.

Customer Review :

great fotos in ANY light. Quick shutter! Yay!

When I heard that I could own a point and shoot camera with a fast (2.0) lens for around $400 I was thrilled. No more waiting for the camera to focus while the shot
'went away'. This little camera takes such good pictures in any amount of light that it's a little like magic. The auto setting exposes perfectly every time in (again) any light situation. I shoot a lot indoors and outside at night and the pics are simply beautiful. If you are looking for these features, go!

Rating :

The Best Point-And-Shoot Camera

The images shot by the S90 is simply phenomenal! It comes mighty close in quality to my DSLR camera, a Canon 450D. (for those unfamiliar with photography lingo, a DSLR, which stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera, is what professional and semi-professional photographers use). I wish to highlight a few points on this camera.

- Phenomenal Image Quality
Most point-and-shoot (or compact) cameras have sensor size of about 1/2.5. The S90 has a sensor size of 1/1.7, much larger than sensors on most point-and-shoot cameras. As a rule of thumb, the larger the sensor, the sharper and better quality the image. (By the way, the S90 has the same sensor size as the G11. My DSLR, a Canon 450D, has a sensor size of 1/1.6.)

With a larger sensor, the image quality of the S90 is simply superb! The images are sharp and there is very little noise in even moderately well-lit environments. Very few point-and-shoot cameras hold a candle to the image quality of the S90.

- Images In Raw Format
The S90 can capture images in JPEG and RAW format. Anyone who is serious or even semi-serious in photography should know how to manipulate images in the RAW format. (Note: there is an option to capture every image in *both* RAW and JPEG.)

RAW vs. JPEG : RAW is an uncompressed and unaltered image as captured by the camera. JPEG is compressed, and the image quality is reduced as a result.

RAW is one of the main selling points of this camera. A vast majority of point-and-shoot cameras do not have the ability to capture pictures in RAW format whereas ALL DSLR (such as the ) are able to capture images in RAW format. Most point-and-shoot cameras save the captured images as JPEG (.jpg) format.

RAW allows post processing. With the right software, you can create stunning images! To learn more about RAW, here's a list of books:

(1) Raw Workflow from Capture to Archives: A Complete Digital Photographer's Guide to Raw Imaging (Paperback), (2) Real World Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS4, (3) Camera Raw with Photoshop For Dummies.

- Compact Size
Well, isn't that the whole point of a point-and-shoot/compact camera? The S90 fits comfortably in the the size of your palm. The S90 will fit in your shirt pocket. To quote an oft-cited saying, "the best camera is the one that's with you." The S90 is so compact, you can take it with you at all times.

---
The S90 captures the best quality images I've ever seen in a point-and-shoot (or compact) camera. It is small enough you can easily take it wherever you go. I can't recommend it enough!


Rating :

best compact digital

I have progressed through several digital cameras, up to this one, which is clearly superior, no complaints whatever, shoots in RAW and has lots of features. If you are looking for the best COMPACT digital, this is it.

Rating :

Best small camera for low light photos

I bought this camera because it is supposed to be able to take great low light pictures without a flash and it is much more portable than other cameras that do well in low light. This camera lives up to the expectations. It takes great pictures and is compact enough to bring almost everywhere. The button layout and ease of use is not the best, but it doesn't matter much because the great low light performance out shines all the other weirdness of this camera. I hate using the flash and now I hardly ever have to.

Rating :

A not a very good camera, a poor design !!!

I just bought an S90 for me based on the reviews of the quality and some nice features like the lens aperture and the sensor used. For those technical features no one can say a word against canon.
If you a looking for a compact camera with very good quality and definition plus some manual features, this is it !!!

What is bad about this camera:

The way they had designed the flash makes it so delicate that I almost broke it on the first use. Any person will tend to put the finger over the flash causing it to lock the mechanism. Of course I learned and now changed the position I hold the camera. The issue is that you can't ask anyone to take a picture because his finger will be on the flash and if the flash activates it will lock, and eventually break the mechanism. It's amazing that canon did not realized that at design phase, this is a serious problem and create a weakness on the camera that limit the use in real life situations.

If you will be the only user you can adapt and take very good pictures.

In my case I'm very disappointed, after all this is a 400USD camera that's being rated one of the best.

I don't recommend to buy this camera due to reliability issues specially if your intent is also to ask other people to take pictures also.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 10.0-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for prints up to 13 x 19 inches
2. 3x optical zoom; 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II screen
3. DIGIC 4 Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology; Face Detection Self-timer
4. Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings
5. Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)

Customer Review :

Not a friendly camera, I miss my Kodak easy share

I got this camera because it had such amazing reviews and because my mom had the 1100 model and I loved the pictures. I HATE THIS CAMERA!!! I had a Kodak Easy Share and I loved how the pictures turned out and how easy it was to use, but it was too bulky for a diaper bag. I got the Canon 1200 for its portability and the "amazing" pictures it claims to take. Boy am I disappointed. The auto feature is all but useless. 9 out of 10 photos taken with the auto feature turn out blurry. Even when it looks good on the screen I download them and see they are in fact blurry. (if you read a lot of reviews you will see the problems with the auto feature and blurry photos)
I have missed so many cute photos of my baby due to this stupid camera. The 1100 was far superior and much more user friendly. I am not a camera person so maybe if you know the ends and outs of cameras it will work for you, but if you are just a normal person looking for a point and shoot camera THIS IS NOT FOR YOU!!

Rating :

Very nice!

This is our fourth Canon purchase. Like the rest, we have become very pleased with the product. There is some tendency to cheapen the housing etc from one to the next. I think the USB access cover is going to break any day now.
Quality is good. I really do not need the increased megapixels but this is the trend for the industry. The screen size is great. I like the new button to move from picture to picture.
I am happy with the purchase. Wish they had not changed battery size as we lose the flexibity to share batteries and chargers.


Rating :

Great camera!

This camera takes great pictures and is very easy to use. Battery life is great...just went to Egypt and was able to take 3 days worth of pictures before having to charge the battery...and the battery wasn't even dead at that point.

One thing I wish this camera had that other Cannon's have is the Vivid Color feature. I love the effect of making the whole picture black and white and just having one color stand out.

Otherwise, I have no complaints and I LOVE the green color!

Rating :

camera

Had last year's model of same camera but was unfortunately lost. Chose to get same camera since the previous one was such a good product.

Rating :

Solid with Great Feature Choices

PROS: This camera has a great look and feel. More compact than pictures of it may seem, but not wafer thin like some. Doesn't have lush interface, just a practical and elegant one. For example, only about 5 different auto modes ('Portrait', 'Kids', etc.) that don't have example pictures; instead, you see the current shot as altered for that mode. When you press OK button options appear down right and across bottom of view screen; you select by navigating with ring button around OK.

You have direct EV+/- control via ring button and can easily set white balance via interface. Also has 'My Color' feature that lets you set color saturation, etc. via interface in Program mode: this feature is very detailed. Program mode is not complete...cannot select shutter or f-stop priority, but does include ISO setting, so you basically can trade off noise for blur (low ISO reduces noise but slows the shutter). You just can't add depth-of-field to the mix of trade-offs without 'tricking' the settings via EV and ISO.

Low ISO shooting makes a huge difference in picture quality to the point that shooting 10MP instead of 5MP at over ISO 300 is of dubious benefit. 'Indoors' auto mode lowers ISO for you, but using Program mode and lowering it more is better if the subject is stationary. With lots of light or a tripod photos are lavish even when zoomed when shooting ISO 80.

So at low ISO low-light shooting is great, but not for moving subjects or unsteady hands. The cammera has optical stabilization, and I've shot reasonable photos at a 1 second shutter free hand, but it takes some breathing control.

Playback has the standard zoom feature and can zoom out to either a panel of thumbnails or else a faux-3D picture cycle. Will also show all settings for the shot, even settings the camera set automatically like shutter speed. Also shows true file size along with the resolution and assumed file size for that setting (the assumed size is a worst-case assumption). The camera always shows this assumed size with resolution, which is handy, but it names the resolutions with single letters, a la VHS SP,SLP, etc., so that's what the funny L means in the corner: L=highest resolution.

In spite of some spec sheets saying it's 700mAh, this camera comes with a 1000mAh battery that is said to be capable of 700 shots when using the optical viewfinder, 220 shots using the LCD viewscreen--I assume without flash.

Camera offers three metering selections: full average, center-weighted, and spot. The face detection is nearly perfect...it can even follow faces through cross cuts while 'watching' TV, and it can recognize 3/4 views of faces--oblique views.

Power-on time is remarkably fast. No problems with shooting speed. Flash might slow things down, but unbounced flash shots are usually so icky I hardly use flash...it is said to be good from 1 foot (1 meter if shooting into eyes!) to 14 feet.

Camera has a magic red ray that it says helps with autofocus. You can turn it off, and I haven't really noticed much of a difference with it off.

CONS: In auto modes the camera picks higher ISO than I would like because I'm not shooting sports shots, etc., but I think the choices are good ones in general, and they can be overridden easily. The icons are not exactly self-evident. Camera does not come with a manual worth mentioning (but PDF is available). I can't speak to the software as I have no intention of using it.

The macro settings produce otherwise nice results but they are a little more fish-eye than would be ideal.

In full auto mode (separate even from the individual automatic modes) the camera is constantly focusing, etc., which must use up battery pretty fast. Just lightly pressing the shutter release will force settings in other modes, so unless you are shooting rapidly changing subjects the full auto mode is probably overkill.

Misses some of the more advance features even of my 5-year-old digital. You cannot set up your own preset settings and pick them like they were built-in modes. There is no internal memory at all. There is no self-portrait modes where you can set up a photo and then have yourself placed in the picture by getting someone to line up a translucent version of your setup with the scene with you in it. Etc. Still all these feature sound more useful than they really ever were since in the moment we usually do the quick thing and shoot the shot, anyway.



Rating :

More reviews...

1. New 10-megapixel High Sensitivity System; DIGIC 4 Image Processor
2. Bright 2.8-inch Vari-Angle PureColor System LCD plus optical viewfinder
3. Wide-angle 5x optical zoom (equivalent to 28-140mm); Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer
4. Improved Smart AUTO intelligently selects from 22 predefined shooting situations
5. RAW + JPEG shooting and recording modes; capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Editorial Review :

The PowerShot G11 is a compact camera that will find favor with professionals and advanced amateur photographers due to its superb image quality, full manual control of settings, and RAW shooting capability. If it's not practical or safe to carry a large DSLR a high-specification compact such as the PowerShot G11 is a fantastic choice. It's great for photographers looking to capture high resolution, high quality, and low light images without having to carry a large SLR system in their kit bags.The G11 features face detection technology that can detect and track numerous faces within the frame to ensure the correct exposure and focus for them. An enhanced i-Contrast system optimizes the dynamic range of subjects to deliver shadow details whilst avoiding highlight blow outs.

Customer Review :

It is a Photo-Tool not a Gadget

Canon G11.

I am not a professional, since I have never made a dollar from the pictures I took. Yet, I have been involved in photography for over 30 years ever since I was in middle school. I have owned mostly Nikon cameras up to F4s, then I switched to digital with Nikon D70 as soon as it became available, and then D300 about two years ago...

I have owned Canon G3 about 6-7 years ago. I immediately fell in love with its articulated LCD. Why? I found it is very useful to take a shoot from different view angles that will make your picture more attractive. And particularly useful if you have just had a small child that starts to claw across your living room floor.

As most of us here, I shop for G11 as a camera that I can take it everyday and everywhere. In my mind it is perfect for that purpose. I bought it as a "tool for photography", so I am not bothered too much for its weight and size. For this G11, what I like the most is that it is extremely easy adjusting almost all important parameters for taking a good photo, such as ISO, shooting mold, exposure compositions, exposure lock. After I get the color balance stored in the short-cut button on the left side of the camera, everything is at my fingertips. I can not found what else I would ever missed. If that is not enough, it provides C1 and C2, to store two customer-settings of your preference.

Of course, it could be better. For those who expect to use G11 for shooting their kid involving in-door sports game or stage performance, they could be disappointed a little. I think it does not focus fast enough, and can only take about one frame per second. OK. That is why we still need DSLR.

In summary, if you are going to get a photo-tool, go for G11.
If you want to show your friends a fancy photo-gadget, go for S90.
In any case, please do not set your expectation unreasonably high to replace the DSLR.

This is my two cents.


Rating :

Great Camera - even for beginners!

I had a Sony Cyber Shot that my wife and I purchased 7 years ago, I liked it, thought it took decent pics. My wife always complained, she didn't like the camera, she thought the photo quality was lacking. We got this camera, wife loves it, I love it - tons of features that are easy to use. I cannot wait to see what it can do once I actually learn how to use it properly. So far, using it as just a point and shoot. It does great! There are many other features that we will use and try out, but it does the job!

Rating :

Love my Canon G10

I love my Canon G10...although it's a little heavy and doesn't take as great of photos as my Nikon D50...it's much more portable...it's a brick when it comes to weight, but it fits in my purse or a jacket pocket. The battery life and video quality are amazing!!!

Rating :

Don't buy this one!

I've owned this camera for two months and now there is a huge scratch on the center of the lens. At first I couldn't figure out how this could be possible since I always close the shutter immediately after taking a photo (the shutter closes automatically when you push the power button). Then I looked closely- the shutter actually touches and scratches the lens each time you turn the camera off. I had to take photos using up only one quarter of the screen my whole vacation because of the big scratch that you can see in each photo. $500 down the drain. I hope they will refund my money.

Rating :

My new backup camera - Love the articulated screen

I used to have a G10 until my best friend fell in love with it and said he wanted to buy it. Hey, what are friends for? When I went to replace it, I found that the G10 was no longer readily available and my friend, a Canon rep, said that the image quality with the G11 (despite the drop in pixel count) was actually better. Hmmm, better image quality than a G10 - count me in!

The G11 handles like a professional instrument. There is a serious, rugged quality to it. It isn't heavy, just solid. The controls are similar to the G10 so I didn't have to crack the manual to start taking pictures. I love the way the lens retracts into the body - covering and protecting the lens when it sits in a camera bag or coat pocket. The traditional viewfinder only shows a fraction of the actual image (my guess - 70-80%) so for critical compositions, I use the fold-out screen. For anyone used to shooting with a video camera, swinging out the screen and making pictures will seem second nature. I tilt it to minimize reflections in bright sun and rarely peek through the viewfinder. Also, the ability to fold it with the screen facing forward protects it from damage in transport - I love this... It is something I liked about the G5 and missed on the G10.

The zoom range is adequate for most casual shooting situations with a thumbs up for the 28mm lens effective angle of view at the wide end - perfect for family group shots and a welcome feature in a Point and Shoot.

There are more features than most people will have a need for but if the shooter has pro-leanings, this camera can make some amazing images. Even if you never dig deeply into the manual to find them all, things like the image stabilization will be there and automatically help improve your pictures - maybe your best pictures ever!

The reason Canon gives for going to 10 megapixels is to improve image quality by reducing noise at higher ISO settings. I rarely use an ISO above 200 so I wasn't expecting to benefit from that change but I tried shooting at ISO 800 (not recommended for big prints from the G10) and found the images quite good.

The real benefit to a camera like this is the ability to shoot JPG, RAW, and RAW and JPG images at the same time. The quality of these RAW images is truly top notch. You could, if you were a pro, sell the shots, they are so sharp and the colors so true. Speaking of colors, the white balance technology built in is top notch. I leave it set on automatic and have gotten excellent color in difficult, mixed fluorescent lighting.

So, the verdict is in for me. This is a great camera and a good evolution up from the G10. I recommend it for anyone who just wants a "good" camera and doesn't want to have to become a camera expert to use it - you can set it for AUTO and simply frame your shot and push the button (i.e., point and shoot). For the more photographically adept, you can just about do it all with the G11. RAW, manual focus and exposure, video clips, it's all there and it's all good.

If anyone wants to buy this one, I may not agree to let it go.





Rating :

More reviews...

1. 10.0-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for prints up to 13 x 19 inches
2. 3x optical zoom; 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II screen
3. DIGIC 4 Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology; Face Detection Self-timer
4. Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings
5. Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)

Editorial Review :

10-megapixel effective recording * 2-1/2" LCD screen * viewfinder * 3X optical zoom (4X digital/12X total zoom) * optical image stabilization * 35mm equivalent lens focal length: 35-105mm * top JPEG resolution: 3648 x 2736 *

Customer Review :

Great camera!

This camera takes great pictures and is very easy to use. Battery life is great...just went to Egypt and was able to take 3 days worth of pictures before having to charge the battery...and the battery wasn't even dead at that point.

One thing I wish this camera had that other Cannon's have is the Vivid Color feature. I love the effect of making the whole picture black and white and just having one color stand out.

Otherwise, I have no complaints and I LOVE the green color!

Rating :

Solid with Great Feature Choices

PROS: This camera has a great look and feel. More compact than pictures of it may seem, but not wafer thin like some. Doesn't have lush interface, just a practical and elegant one. For example, only about 5 different auto modes ('Portrait', 'Kids', etc.) that don't have example pictures; instead, you see the current shot as altered for that mode. When you press OK button options appear down right and across bottom of view screen; you select by navigating with ring button around OK.

You have direct EV+/- control via ring button and can easily set white balance via interface. Also has 'My Color' feature that lets you set color saturation, etc. via interface in Program mode: this feature is very detailed. Program mode is not complete...cannot select shutter or f-stop priority, but does include ISO setting, so you basically can trade off noise for blur (low ISO reduces noise but slows the shutter). You just can't add depth-of-field to the mix of trade-offs without 'tricking' the settings via EV and ISO.

Low ISO shooting makes a huge difference in picture quality to the point that shooting 10MP instead of 5MP at over ISO 300 is of dubious benefit. 'Indoors' auto mode lowers ISO for you, but using Program mode and lowering it more is better if the subject is stationary. With lots of light or a tripod photos are lavish even when zoomed when shooting ISO 80.

So at low ISO low-light shooting is great, but not for moving subjects or unsteady hands. The cammera has optical stabilization, and I've shot reasonable photos at a 1 second shutter free hand, but it takes some breathing control.

Playback has the standard zoom feature and can zoom out to either a panel of thumbnails or else a faux-3D picture cycle. Will also show all settings for the shot, even settings the camera set automatically like shutter speed. Also shows true file size along with the resolution and assumed file size for that setting (the assumed size is a worst-case assumption). The camera always shows this assumed size with resolution, which is handy, but it names the resolutions with single letters, a la VHS SP,SLP, etc., so that's what the funny L means in the corner: L=highest resolution.

In spite of some spec sheets saying it's 700mAh, this camera comes with a 1000mAh battery that is said to be capable of 700 shots when using the optical viewfinder, 220 shots using the LCD viewscreen--I assume without flash.

Camera offers three metering selections: full average, center-weighted, and spot. The face detection is nearly perfect...it can even follow faces through cross cuts while 'watching' TV, and it can recognize 3/4 views of faces--oblique views.

Power-on time is remarkably fast. No problems with shooting speed. Flash might slow things down, but unbounced flash shots are usually so icky I hardly use flash...it is said to be good from 1 foot (1 meter if shooting into eyes!) to 14 feet.

Camera has a magic red ray that it says helps with autofocus. You can turn it off, and I haven't really noticed much of a difference with it off.

CONS: In auto modes the camera picks higher ISO than I would like because I'm not shooting sports shots, etc., but I think the choices are good ones in general, and they can be overridden easily. The icons are not exactly self-evident. Camera does not come with a manual worth mentioning (but PDF is available). I can't speak to the software as I have no intention of using it.

The macro settings produce otherwise nice results but they are a little more fish-eye than would be ideal.

In full auto mode (separate even from the individual automatic modes) the camera is constantly focusing, etc., which must use up battery pretty fast. Just lightly pressing the shutter release will force settings in other modes, so unless you are shooting rapidly changing subjects the full auto mode is probably overkill.

Misses some of the more advance features even of my 5-year-old digital. You cannot set up your own preset settings and pick them like they were built-in modes. There is no internal memory at all. There is no self-portrait modes where you can set up a photo and then have yourself placed in the picture by getting someone to line up a translucent version of your setup with the scene with you in it. Etc. Still all these feature sound more useful than they really ever were since in the moment we usually do the quick thing and shoot the shot, anyway.



Rating :

Not a friendly camera, I miss my Kodak easy share

I got this camera because it had such amazing reviews and because my mom had the 1100 model and I loved the pictures. I HATE THIS CAMERA!!! I had a Kodak Easy Share and I loved how the pictures turned out and how easy it was to use, but it was too bulky for a diaper bag. I got the Canon 1200 for its portability and the "amazing" pictures it claims to take. Boy am I disappointed. The auto feature is all but useless. 9 out of 10 photos taken with the auto feature turn out blurry. Even when it looks good on the screen I download them and see they are in fact blurry. (if you read a lot of reviews you will see the problems with the auto feature and blurry photos)
I have missed so many cute photos of my baby due to this stupid camera. The 1100 was far superior and much more user friendly. I am not a camera person so maybe if you know the ends and outs of cameras it will work for you, but if you are just a normal person looking for a point and shoot camera THIS IS NOT FOR YOU!!

Rating :

camera

Had last year's model of same camera but was unfortunately lost. Chose to get same camera since the previous one was such a good product.

Rating :

Very nice!

This is our fourth Canon purchase. Like the rest, we have become very pleased with the product. There is some tendency to cheapen the housing etc from one to the next. I think the USB access cover is going to break any day now.
Quality is good. I really do not need the increased megapixels but this is the trend for the industry. The screen size is great. I like the new button to move from picture to picture.
I am happy with the purchase. Wish they had not changed battery size as we lose the flexibity to share batteries and chargers.


Rating :

More reviews...

1. High-powered 10x wide-angle optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer
2. 3.0-inch PureColor System LCD; Smart AUTO detects and analyzes faces, brightness, colors, distance, and movement
3. Easy Mode takes all the guesswork out of the equation by determining the right shooting mode
4. DIGIC 4 Image Processor; 10-megapixel resolution for poster-size, photo-quality prints
5. Powered by AA batteries (included); capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Editorial Review :

10.0 Million Pixel SensorA new high-resolution CCD sensor provides amazing image quality and resolution for those wanting the maximum versatility out of their image files.DIGIC 4 Image ProcessorCanons latest and most powerful image processing engine. The DIGIC 4 processor ensures superior image quality, while providing new enhancements in speed, features and functionality.Automatic Scene Detection TechnologyAUTO mode uses Canons Automatic Scene Detection Technology. Automatic Scene Detection judges the subject brightness and contrast, camera to subject distance, the overall scene hue, along with other factors to accurately identify the scene. Working together with Canons Face Detection and Motion Detection technologies, this assures that optimum settings are made in all shooting situations.Face Detect Self-timerDetects faces in the scene and releases the shutter in response to the appearance of an additional face.Enhanced i-ContrastCanons i-Contrast function analyzes the exposure, dynamic range, and other image characteristics in the signal processing stage to adaptively control the exposure in the shadows and dark areas without affecting the brighter areas of the scene. Additionally with Enhanced i-Contrast the white, black, and gamma levels will adjust when needed on images with a narrow dynamic range providing an image with better brightness variation.

Customer Review :

I love this camera

I read so many reviews on this camera. Not just on Amazon.com, but Cnet and best buy also. So many people have such different opinions. I currently have the Casio Exilim 7mp with 3x zoom. I love this little camera. I found that I needed more zoom. My daughter is a cheerleader for the local NFL team, and I needed to capture her on the field, and all her appearances. I was at Best Buy and saw the camera. I played around with it taking pictures of everything in the store.. Loved the zoom feature. I was going to buy it, but the guy told me it was going to go on sale the next day. So I left. The next day I went to BJ's and found it for $30 cheaper than Bestbuys' sale price. (yes it was the same model number and camera). So I decided to "test" buy it. they give you 14 days to return. Well that was over 3 weeks ago. I love this camera. Most people said that they hated that it was so bulky... well it doesn't bother me. Others state that the battery life is short, well I put in the Duracell rechargeable, and still haven't charged ever since and I'm on my 485 picture. What convinced me to keep the camera was that my colleague, who is a tech geek, saw me with it ( I take it everywhere, have it in my purse 24/7)and he told me that he bought one about 6 months ago and loves it. However, his is the earlier model SX110IS...

Another selling fact was that I took a picture of an island that has a statue which you can't see with the naked eye. I zoomed in and saw all the details of it...wish I could post the pictures so you all can see it. People also gripe that the lcd isn't clear, but hey this isn't a $2000 camera. I don't agree and find it very clear and pictures look awesome.

the main thing is to learn how to navigate. Read the main points in the pdf manual, play with the camera. Most people say it doesn't have macro zoom, the manual says to stand 3 feet from object and then zoom in...it really is amazing the details that it captures.

I'm not a pro, but am a picture taking junky. I am the designated photographer for all our events, vacations and just for anything.

(PS, I also tried the Sony, but just the fact that it uses their special memory card turned me off... I have soooo many SD cards)

So go out and buy and "test" it for yourselves....

Rating :

whats up with no charger?

This is a nice camera. Takes decent shots if you don't know anything, just put it on the auto setting and you'll get good pics. HOWEVER, the battery life is TERRIBLE. It takes 2 AA batteries and I have to change them almost every time I use the camera!!! It is so annoying and I always have to keep AA's where I go in case it suddenly dies on me. All my other cameras have had chargers that charge the camera and hold the charge for many uses. I hate this AA thing!!

Rating :

A good substitute of my Canon A570

I had lost my Canon A570 camera in a house break-in. I got a replacement from Canon, the SX120, to give me a better zoom capability. It does that. I was surprised by several things. Even though the lens is much larger, it actually seems lighter--and thinner. The LCD is bigger, now 3". The wider lens in normal (1:1) use captures more light and is apparent in indoor shots. The camera is rated as 10X but with two extra megapixels, it will actually go up to 40x is you are willing to settle for a .jpg that we had in 2002 (a tripod is a must). The color seems somewhat better--the A570 seemed to be a little "cooler". The only negatives--quibbles actually--is the lack of an optical viewfinder which was probably sacrificed to make room for the larger lens and the lack of a panorama mode which I never used and is readily available with shareware. I did like the flip-up flash which is gives more light than the one on the A570. One thing you definitely will need is a larger SD chip to hold the larger pictures, the one that came with the camera is only 128mB (the A570 came with a tiny 16mB SD.) However I got a 4Gb SDHC card for $16 which holds 1400+ pictures. I find that the SX120 is a better camera than the A570--definitely an improvement.

Rating :

Great camera for the above-average user

Pros:
Excellent daylight picture quality, with good white balance in auto mode.
Good picture quality for low-light and night shots, especially after you take control of some of the settings (especially ISO - keeping it under 400 really helps). I had to go to the manual white balance modes only a handful of times - other than that, I was really happy with the automatic mode. For some indoor shots, the warm colors of incandescent lighting might be even considered a plus.
Fast, shutter lag in non-existent once the exposure and focus are set - makes it much easier to capture those split-second moments. Once you realize how the auto-focus operates, it's easy to have the camera focused properly in no time.
Slow synchro flash option, and 3 levels of flash output in manual mode - that way you can avoid the over/under exposure situations caused by the flash. Being able to use the flash as a fill-in to compensate for a backlit subject, while avoiding overexposing a very interesting background is a big plus.
Fully manual controls.
Good choice of semi-automatic controls.
Optical image stabilization - and it works, too!! I was able to take a picture of a CH-53E Super Stallion helicoper, hand-held, at max zoom, with the helicopter being about 2 miles away - and I still had enough resolution in the picture to be able to count the blades on the rotors.
AA batteries - try buying a proprietary Li-Ion or charger at a gas station. Ni-MH rechargeables are cheap and easy to find, and if you can't keep those charged and ready to go, you won't do any better with a proprietary battery. I read reviews from people complaining about battery life - there's something wrong with their batteries and chargers - I have three sets of 2300 mAh NiMH batteries, and all of them are good for some 400 pictures.
Good zoom lens, decent optics - F2.8 for a 10x zoom lens is impressive.
Small enough to carry around - thus, when the perfect shot shows up, you'll have something to capture it with.
Decent continuous drive mode.
Standard USB cable, the kind that you already have a dozen of them around the average household.
Good, intuitive, easy to use menus.
AA alkaline batteries and 128 MB SD card included - so you can test your camera right out of the box.

Cons:
No printed user's guide - just a quick reference guide.
Only supports PictBridge, no way to have it set up as a mass storage device for picture transfer. Easier to use an external SD reader.
No viewfinder - although the LCD does a good job by itself.
Battery level indicator - it would be nice to get more than a "Low battery" indicator. Once you see it, you can take another 20-30 shots with a set of NiMH batteries.
Some purple fringing along the edges, especially when transitioning from an overexposed area to something a lot darker. Not a lot, though - I've seen much worse. Did some experimenting with some infrared LEDs, and got the same effect and color - so I'm starting to believe some of the purple fringes are caused by infrared light hitting the sensor, slightly off focus due do the higer wavelength. I'm still looking for an infrared blocking filter to test this theory in full.
No optical zoom during movie recording - only digital.
No 3:2 picture aspect ratio - only 4:3 and 16:9
No automatic exposure bracketing mode - it can be done manually, without too much hassle.
Could benefit from longer exposure times, and smaller apertures - but the available selection covers about 95% of the situations that you would encounter in day to day photography. A software hack developed by a group of enthusiasts, called CHDK, is in the process of being ported to the SX120 - it will provide, among other things, exposures up to 64 seconds, the ability to take RAW pictures, battery voltage, live histogram and optical zoom during movie recording.



Overall, after using it for 6 months and taking more than 2000 pictures, I would give it 4.5 stars - it's not perfect, but for this price, you can't beat it.

Rating :

Best third Canon I've owned

I just got back from Israel. I took this camera with me and was so happy to have gotten shots at a moment's notice. The quality of the pictures is amazing. I found I did better on a manual setting for shots in which I had time to set up. Just a rotation of the wheel on the back and I had the shutter set and I was ready to go. I only use Duracell 2650mah batteries in my Canon. They perform for almost two days of shooting. I was on this trip with another who had the same camera, the SX120IS, and he only had the akalines which came with his. They lasted almost half a day. I shared some of my batteries and he was very pleased with his camera after that.

The only real drawback for this camera is it's hard to grip. I had a PowerShot A530 that I loved, but it suffered from eating batteries. i had sent it back and they fixed it, but three years later it got hungry again. That is when I got this one. If the bump on the front were bigger I would feel better about holding it. As it is, I used the wrist strap all the time and it was fine. If you have a camera strap, use it. You'll have a nicer camera for a longer period of time.

I have 680 shots from my trip and they all came out great. Just push the shutter halfway down and make sure you allow the camera to focus before taking any pictures. Love my Canon!

Rating :

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