Canon PowerShot SX200IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera Review
November 3rd, 2009
Canon PowerShot SX200IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera Review from Spinner’s End. Amazing!, I almost sent this camera back. The shots were SO “noisy.” I was shocked that a Canon camera at this price point could produce such lousy photos, when the Canon point and shoot camera I bought for $199 about a year ago takes great shots.
Then I read the manual (go ye, therefore, and do likewise!) and the reviews, and started taking the breath-taking shots I expected from a Canon 12 MP camera with 12 x OIS. The secret: DO NOT SHOOT IN AUTO OR “EASY” MODE! The ISO setting is too high, resulting in “noisy” photos. I am an experienced digital photographer, but when I’m taking snapshots of my daughter running and playing, I like to shoot in AUTO. I now shoot in PROGRAM mode much of the time, specifying the ISO setting I wanted, and let the camera do the rest. The scene, kids & pets, indoor, and portrait settings work well, as with other Canon models.
The only complaint I have about the camera, other than the useless AUTO and “EASY” modes, is that the access door for the HDMI and USB ports is flimsily constructed and attached.
Many reviewers dislike the pop-up flash, but I prefer it. It cannot break, even if you have your finger on the panel when you turn on the camera. It was designed for the user to be able to hold/push it down when flash is not desired. Having a pop-up flash, rather than one in the body of the camera, reduces red-eye, to some degree. The lens barrel extends 1.875″ at 12x optical zoom, so the flash probably had to be moved up to avoid a shadow when zooming.
The movie mode is the best I’ve seen in a still camera, but the footage does not look like HD to me. The footage looks pretty good on my computer display in a large QuickTime window, but is not good enough for a larger screen (TV). It would be perfect for shooting YouTube footage, or anything you intend to share on the web. For everything else, I’ll continue to use my Canon HD video camera that shoots in 1080i. I didn’t buy this camera for the video shooting capability, so that it shoots decent (though not HD) video is a bonus for me.
This is a well-rounded point-and-shoot camera with a BIG, HONKIN’ LENS, fantastic zoom and resolution, well organized menus, and lots of useful features. The MACRO (which works well in AUTO, oddly enough) is DREAMY. Shooting in full MANUAL, or shutter and aperture priority, yields predictably wonderful results. I recommend the SX200IS to anyone who is looking for a full-featured point-and-shoot camera, and is comfortable shooting in any mode but AUTO.
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