Posted to Digital Cameras 2009-11-28
The Canon PowerShot SX120 IS belongs to a relatively new class of digital cameras, the compact super zoom. Most of the super zoom cameras to this point have been so-called "bridge" cameras, with SLR like styling and hardly compact. But more and more manufacturers have recently added a truly compact model with a 10X or more zoom. The PowerShot SX120 IS has a 10X image stabilized zoom lens and is small enough to easily fit in a coat pocket. In addition to optical image stabilization, the camera features digital stabilization, a new Smart Auto mode that takes all sorts of scene information into account when calculating exposure and focus, and a large 3.0 inch LCD display. The camera lacks a viewfinder, which I find convenient, but is at least in part responsible for the small size of the unit. The camera also features a Digic 4 image processor and runs on AA batteries.
ValueThe PowerShot SX120 IS proves to be a good buy for the money at its street price. The 10X zoom, large LCD display, compact size and features like Face Detect AF add up to a good value. In fact, it's priced less than most of the competition with a comparable zoom range. And the zoom range is quite usable, with a 35mm equivalent of 36-360mm. Maximum aperture ranges from f/2.8-4.3 and there's a macro mode that allows focusing down to 0.4 inches. FeaturesThe PowerShot SX120 IS is not short on features, either. It has a movie mode that takes VGA video at up to 30fps, a host of scene modes, a shutter speed range from 15 seconds to 1/2500 seconds and ISOs up to 1600. In addition, it features more manual control than most of the competition, coupled with an Easy Mode that intelligently selects the shooting mode for you. There's also a built-in pop-up flash and red-eye correction. SummaryThe PowerShot SX120 IS makes an excellent choice for a carry-anywhere compact digital camera. The extra zoom range opens up a lot of picture taking opportunities, and image quality is quite acceptable for a small sensor digital camera. Of course, noise reduction is a problem, but this goes with the small sensor that allows for the compact size. All in all a very good offering from Canon. Pros
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