Digital Camera: Canon Powershot SX120 IS Review

The Canon Powershot SX120 IS is an all round digital camera that helps you to take that winning shot.

Cameras are almost the in-thing these days. No, that’s not right. Cameras are a necessity these days. The need to “capture that moment” is almost inevitably in-grained into our system.

I find myself soul-searching for that inner photographer that I believe exists within us, the one who can create award winning photographs on the whim and with technology it is almost within reach.

Maybe this is why camera companies create DSLRs for consumers too now as well as for professionals.

However, not all of us want to lug around cameras with detachable lenses and not all of us want to stand there and fiddle with the buttons on a DSLR just to take a shot.

For most of us, I just want to take great photos and that is where the Canon Powershot SX120 IS comes in.

High-end hybrid

So, the SX120 is a cross between a compact digital camera and DSLR although it leans more towards the light-weight and pocket-sized category.

It is slim enough for a girl to pack it in her mid-sized handbag and for a guy to put it into his pants pocket.

For the kind of features it offers, it is a sleek camera. It comes with enough dials and switches to make the amateur feel like a pro and for the pro to feel adequately equipped to take decent and quality shots.

Power zoom

This Canon prosumer camera comes with a hefty 10x optical zoom which is perfect for those lazy moments when moving closer to the object is out of the question or when the object is just too far away for you to reach. Yes, the SX120 brings you closer.

It seems like 10 is the number for this Powershot because aside from the 10x optical zoom, the SX120 comes with a 10-megapixel sensor which is pretty standard fare for cameras these days so it comes with a winning optical zoom and the right amount of megapixels.

AA Advantage

One of the advantages of this camera is the fact that it uses two AA batteries. Although some may not agree on this point, it is always handy that you can purchase batteries for your camera from convenience stores around town.

So, if you are out with your camera and forget to bring a charger with you or if you are really taking a lot of pictures and your battery runs out you can always just buy batteries.

From what I have tested, the battery life is suitable enough for a few hours of heavy use which is equivalent to roughly 100 shots.

The pop-up flash is quite cute on the SX120. Although the flash was loose and would pop up intermittently, overall it was powerful enough for our shots, providing an even amount of light when needed whether it was for portraits or objects.

Features plus

If you have used Canon cameras before then you know that the menu is pretty easy to use and straightforward. There are many scene modes to automate the photo taking process.

It is not any different with this SX120. Imagine the simple menus you were used to with the small compact Canons except now you get better zoom and a slightly larger camera body.

A real good upgrade if you are looking to get a pimped out compact camera. The SX120 comes with neat extra features like face detection and optical image stabilisation.

This means you will get more stability when you fully extend your lens and use the maximum 10x optical zoom.

You will truly appreciate optical image stabilisation then but if you have shaky hands like the reviewer, then you will be pleased with optical image stabilisation any way.

You must be wondering where the extra features are on this camera. So what makes this camera semi-professional? It comes with Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual and Program modes which can be found on standard DSLRs.

On top of that, the SX120 has video recording features and although it is not HD, it is sufficient enough for the everyday consumer.

Sometimes it is not ideal to have everything in high definition or resolution because storage becomes a large problem.

Conclusion

To some it may seem like the Canon got a little confused with designing the Powershot SX120 IS but that's not the case.

It really is an attractive camera for its range of features and price. It is still a compact digital camera but with the feel of the manual modes and pimped out.

A good travelling camera, more portable than a DSLR and is a versatile camera for indoors and outdoors.

Undoubtedly it cannot get more multipurpose than this.

Pros: 10x optical zoom; 10-megapixels; handy face detection and optical image stabilisation features.

Cons: Uses AA batteries.

Consumer compact camera
Manufacturer: Canon

Sensor: 10-megapixels, 1/2.5in type CCD
Lens: 10x optical zoom (36 - 360mm film equivalent)
ISO range: 80 - 1600 
Exposure modes: Auto, Scene modes, Shutter priority, Aperture priority, Night Snapshot, Kids and Pets
Video capture: 640 x 480-pixels at 30fps, 320 x 240-pixels at 30fps, AVI format
Viewfinder: 3.0in LCD
Battery: Two AA Alkaline or NiMH batteries
Storage: SD, SDHC, 36MB internal memory Interface: USB 2.0
Other features: Face Detection AiAF, optical image stabilisation
Dimensions (w x h x d): 111 x 71 x 45mm
Weight: 245g 




Buy from your local amazon: