Canon PowerShot SX200IS 12 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-inch LCD (Black)
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon PowerShot SX200IS 12 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-inch LCD (Black)
Customer Review: Amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
You won't find a lot of technical terms in my review. I'm a mom who wanted a great camera for photos of my kids, of landscape scenes, and to capture special moments. I, like most, did quite a bit of research on cameras prior to this purchase. I had been very happy with my old Canon Powershot S500 that has lasted me for 5-6 years and was partial to the Canon brand. That didn't stop me from checking out other brands, however. I looked closely at every camera that offered an increased zoom in the $150-$350 range. My main goal was to find a camera with a great zoom. I'm no professional with the camera and really don't need a lot of fancy extras. I know enough to take some good pictures in various lighting settings, but I can do without a digital SLR and prefer to do so. I initally was led to the Canon SX 110 IS, again mainly due to the zoom and the Canon name. The more I looked at it the more I realized I didn't want the clunkiness of it. I do a lot of hiking and I'm a mom who likes to carry a small purse, so I wanted something easy to tote. I began my search again looking for a camera that had that portability factor as well as the mega-zoom. I finally found it in this camera.
I have had the camera less than a month and have already been amazed at the photos I have been able to produce. Even in low light settings the pictures come out clear and sharp. I was able to take some great shots of my daughter on stage from a dark audience at well over 60 feet away. I had a man behind me ask what type of camera I was using because he was so impressed with the shots he had seen on my camera that he was going to run out that night and buy one! I also like the fact that this camera uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. I didn't like the idea of going through dozens of regular AA batteries, regardless of how convenient they are. That was another factor in me not purchasing the SX 100 IS. I did buy an extra battery for this camera, just in case, and would highly recommend doing so. I also ended up with a 16 GB memory card...much more than necessary but again, peace of mind. It is well worth the time to read the manual for this camera. You will find that the added features are quite simple, but I have to say the auto mode takes incredible photos.
All in all, this is one smart camera. The zoom is simply amazing and the stabilization allows clear, sharp pictures to come through. The face detection is a great features that works well in action shots. The huge 3 inch LCD screen will ensure you get a fabulous shot. I was one who used to depend on a view finder and it has taken me some time to get used to not having one, but this large screen does help. The pop-up flash does take some getting used to as well, but I have yet to find it awkward or uncomfortable in any way.
I am not one to use a camera for video features. We have a great Sony camcorder that we use for that purpose soley, so I can't be fair in reviewing that feature.
I think this camera would serve a wide range of photographers. The ease of use and the quality delivered by Canon ensure that regardless of your purpose, the pictures will come out fantastic, which is the ultimate goal of any of us.
Customer Review: This is the One!! Canon SX200IS
Summary: 5 Stars
I read reviews and comparisons for several months before purchasing the SX200IS. Save yourself the trouble and get this one before it goes away. I like it way better than the 210 which is already marketed as its replacement. (Mine is red, and it's a nice dark maroon.) Until Canon replaces the SX20IS and includes a larger sensor (as in the Sony NEX3/5), there is no reason to go with a larger body camera with the small sensor used in most point and shoots. I almost bought the SX20IS, but realized I should wait for the larger sensor. Until then, I am even happier with this camera that I expected to be. The 12x optical zoom, including wide angle in this small a body is an excellent compromise.
For some BACKGROUND PERSPECTIVE: Consider that I have been taking pictures for over 50 years, including the last 40 with two Canon FT-QL SLRS with all the appropriate lenses, and a Sony DSC-85 for the last 10. The Canon SX200IS allows me to do anything (and more) I could do with the SLRs and four lenses from 28mm to 400mm (560mm on the SX200IS), all in one package that fits in my pocket! The ten years from the Sony 3.3 MP to the 12 MP Canon also gave me a great leap in image quality. Leaving the image quaility on the highest setting gives photos of about 3.5 MB each. That's plenty of data for editing, cropping, printing or projects (like photo books), and everyone that looks at my photos is amazed at the color and quality of the images. I have had the SX200 for about two months (an early Fathers Day gift to myself) and have taken about 400 photos (not counting any I have deleted), mostly on Auto, including a wedding reception and a military funeral. I already made four photo books, and they all turned out very well.
READ THE User's Manual, and then read it again!! I'm still learning more cool stuff this camera will do. BTW, my camera included a small format copy of the manual (Canon reads these reviews, I guess), but I had already downloaded it from the Canon website and had it printed and bound in large format, so the small copy stays in my bag with the camera. That's the other thing, this camera goes everywhere I go, since it's small enough to fit in one of the pockets of my shoulder bag that I take to work and in the car on weekends.
I like the ability to control exposure and focus myself, and I am still learning all the various options. If you just want to turn it on and take great pictures, don't worry about it. Just do it, and you'll be happy. The videos are great too, BTW!
The pop up flash is NOT an issue. Your left hand first finger gets used to the notch behind it, so you forget it very quickly.
Quality, Solid construction! Nice finish.
Customer Review: Accused of having PROFESSIONAL photos!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was printing photos at home today on my canon selphy 760 (nice compact printer by the way), and decided I wanted to get some 5x7's and collages done. I went online and ordered some prints from Walmart. About a half hour after placing my order, I received a call from the photo lab at Walmart. Curiosly I answered the phone and the lab lady told me should would NOT print my photos until I got a signed relase from the photographer's studio. I said, "What?", "Those are my photos I took with my own camera", (actually my niece took them with my Canon SX200 IS of my wedding). She was quite snippy and stated that she felt they looked like they are taken by a professional and was insisting that I sign a relase before I can have them printed. At first I was mad. I explained to her they didn't need anybody's release, they were my photos taken with my camera. After hanging up, I couldn't help but smile, these were photos taken at my wedding which my 15 year old niece took with my canon sx200! I was so pleased. My ex-husband and I just got re-married and decided not to spend money on professional photos this time (we had professional photos taken the first time we got marrried). I have to admit I was worried that I should have spent the money and hire a photographer since it really was an important day for us. I guess we didn't need to spend the extra money afterall. I have 4 cameras including the canon S3IS, Canon SX200 IS (the camera we used for our photos), the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ28 (which also takes high quality photos, just seems the SX200 takes more vivid photos), and the casio sx-12 (a ultra compact with nice but not exceptional photos). These photos really do look professional and I had the camera set to auto mode so my niece wouldn't have any trouble. This camera is awesome. I guess I got my professional looking photos (without the price).
**I only used auto mode, and got wonderful results. I can only imagine what results I can get if I play around with the settings.
Before buying, I looked at cnet.com http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sx200-is/4505-6501_7-33529069.html?tag=mncol;lst
I love cnet.com, although I do feel 90% confident in the editors review, I understand that their reviews are based on a "test" for that item, and not everyday use. I therefore place more value in the average users review, becuase these are the people who bought the camera and are using it to take their photos which can include different settings (inside, outside, weddings, sports, landscape photos, etc...).
Customer Review: Terriffic Zoom - Great Bird Photos
Summary: 5 Stars
The best camera is the one you have with you. I walk either on the shore or in the woods every day and am a passionate if novice birder. I've used this Canon to capture images of birds that I couldn't identify in the field. The long zoom is amazing, especially with the image stabilization. This camera is small and light enough to slip in my vest or coat pocket and as such has become my constant companion.
The images it takes are good. I've compared it against my SLR a Pentax K20D. In good light its images stack up well against the jpegs shot with my SLR's kit lens, though they aren't as sharp as as those I take with my better lenses. This doesn't do RAW files to compare to, which are always richer in image information. In lower light and at higher ISOs the difference between this and the SLR becomes major, which is typical of a point and shoot. This is not a great low light camera, but that's not why I bought it. To further emphasize that, point please understand that the flash is pretty anemic. But that's not what I bought this for. Look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3, which should be out soon for better indoor capability. It has a better flash and somewhat better low ISO performance.
In daylight, even under medium overcast this PowerShot does a great job. I especially like the manual exposure and focus capabilities this camera has. The Panasonic against which this model is pitted is brilliant at auto exposure, still there are times when I want full manual control and this gives it.
I'm new a movie taking so can't really compare the abilities against dedicated movie cameras. I do love the fact that I can simply push a button and start taking a clip. Yesterday a bald eagle fought the heavy wind about 100 ft overhead and I got a great 2 minute movie of it struggling with gusts. Of course the microphone picked up the heavy wind sound but it doesn't seem to in more normal weather. The movies imported directly into FinalCut Express for editing. They're taken with the h.264 codec, which I've found in other circumstances gives good quality at comparatively small file size. That seems to be the case here as well. It also takes HD movies. Since my we got a widescreen TV, my wife only wants to watch wide screen video. That's covered with this camera.
For good light and where you'd want a high power zoom as well as pretty good wide angle, say landscape, wildlife or stree photography, I wholeheartedly recommend this camera.
Customer Review: Almost Perfect!
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this camera! It is so close to being exactly what I wanted at a great price. I wanted a wide angle/big zoom camera with adjustable controls for going beyond snapshot taking that is portable, affordable and takes great pictures.
Pros: It takes GREAT picture! (Lots of positive comments from people who didn't know I changed cameras.) The lens combination is what I like best. The zoom allows me to take candid pictures of friends and family without being intrusive. (Still visible, but not in their face.) Landscapes actually turn out and catch the essence of the beauty. Combined with the image stabilizer my photos have improved enormously!! I've used the macro and super macro lenses for flowers in my yard. They work wonderfully. I love that it has a wide angle lens and the 12 mega pixels is not the overkill that I thought it would be.
The settings aren't all just gimmicks. I really can control what a picture will look like. Color, light, depth of field can all be adjusted without having to remember aperture and shutter speed settings, but you CAN use them if you're fluent in them.
The image stabilizer works!!
The video wasn't a consideration for me and I've barely used it, but it IS HD and looks amazing! The sound is pretty good too.
In over a thousand pictures since I got the camera, I've only had two pictures with any red eye at all. Most pictures have been outdoors, but even so, the pop up flash (which hasn't bothered me) works great.
As others have said, read and then reread the manual once you're more familiar with the camera. There are so many features, it's hard to remember them all.
Cons: I MISS the optical view finder! The camera has some warning icons built in to warn you about possible closed eyes and camera movement which helps in bright sunlight.
All flash options are not available on all camera settings. It is annoying to take a picture, look at it, realize it would be better with a fill in flash and have to change the setting in order to find the flash option.
There is a bit of a learning curve to realize its potential, but that's also part of the fun!
I gave it a 5, because I really love the camera and it seems to be an excellent buy!