Canon Powershot SX130IS

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This post is a Canon Powershot SX130IS review.

The Canon SX130IS i features a 12.1 megapixel sensor, 720p HD movie mode, high resolution 3.0 inch colour LCD,  DIGIC 4 Image Processor, and high-powered 12x wide-angle Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabiliser.

If you’ve already decided to get it and are just looking for the best place to purchase it, then we recommend checking out Amazon who sells it for as low as $197.50, significantly lower than other stores who retail it for  as much as $298.

Click Here to check out the

==> Canon PowerShot SX30IS at Amazon <==

Canon PowerShot SX130IS Highlights:

• Optical Sensor Resolution: 12.1 megapixels
• 12x wide-angle Optical Zoom (28-336mm)
• Optical Image Stabiliser
• 720p HD video with stereo sound and optical zoom
• 3.0 inch colour LCD
• DIGIC 4 Image Processor
• HDMI output
• Uses AA batteries
• Can use: SD/SDHC memory card (not included)
• Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.9 x 1.8 inches
• Weight: 0.68 pounds

Canon Powershot SX130IS- User Image (Color Accent)

Picture Quality

What makes the Canon SX130IS so great? It has a myriad of functions and performs well as a handy point-and-shoot camera, at a fraction of the price of other high performing cameras.

12.1 Megapixels resolution ensures crisp and clear photos which you can blow up to create 13″ x 19″ posters to frame, or crop with no loss of picture quality.

It is also easy to use, with an advanced Smart Auto function which intelligently analyzes your situation and shooting conditions and automatically selects the right setting from 28 specially defined settings. This means you’ll always get the best result, whether you’re snapping a photo of your kids at a soccer game or a gorgeous sunset by the beach.

12 Special Scene modes provide endless fun, from colour accent which allows you to isolate a specific colour, to the fisheye effect. Many users also report that the Canon Powershot SX 30IS performs well in low light.

12x Optical Zoom

One of the stand-out features of the Canon Powershot SX130 IS is its powerful 12x wide-angle Optical Zoom to ensure you can capture great shots no matter where you are.

Optical zoom continues onto 48x Digital Zoom. This is where the camera crops out a part of the photo and then electronically interpolates the result back up to the pixel dimensions of the original- the same process as camera phones that have no lens.

Ever noticed that no matter how hard you try to hold your hand still, it’s always going to tremble slightly? Canon’s Optical Image Stabiliser is an in-built mechanism which detects this trembling motion of your hand before and during exposure of the photograph and then shifts the optical image accordingly in order to remain more stable during exposure. This ensures clearer photos without the need of a tripod!

Comments from current users:

“ I absolutely LOVE this camera! It takes great pictures with great resolution. I haven’t really messed with the instruction booklet, mostly because it’s really simple to use.“

“ I’ve had this camera for a few weeks. Talk about some serious bang for the buck! 12.1 MP images, 12X optical zoom, 720p video with stereo sound. That combination of ingredients is super hard to find for under $200. Believe me. I’ve looked. “

“ This is a nice light-weight point&shoot camera that takes reasonable to good quality pictures in a variety of light conditions. Its flash only has enough power for really dark shots up to six feet away but the image stabilization allows shooting still subjects in very low light without it.“

Large 3.0 inch LCD

The bright large high resolution 3.0 inch LCD allows you to review your images before and after shooting without having to squint. You won’t miss the viewfinder! It also features a Night Display which makes the screen easier to view in low light.

In fact, if you wanted, you could even half close your eyes when taking a shot as the Canon SX130 IS also have a smile or wink detection function where the camera automatically takes the picture when a smile or wink is detected!

720p HD video

The Canon SX 130IS shoots 720p High Definition video with clear stereo sound. Best of all, you can utilise the powerful 12x Optical Zoom even during video, to get fantastic close-ups without losing any quality at all.

The Optical Image Stabilisation is available during filming, but can also be disabled if wanted. Image effects such as Color Accent and Color Swap is also available in video mode.

The Miniature Effect is an interesting one which is sure to provide lots of amusment as it makes people look like little toy animated figures rushing around and is especially fun to use in crowded places like a busy street.

Criticism/Notes:

More Feedback from the web:

” The Canon Powershot is an easy camera to operate. It took very little time to learn to use and it is comfortable to hold when taking pictures. The camera has a lot of great features and for someone who is not a camera buff, this cameral fits my needs perfectly.“

” I find that I can take pictures indoors without the flash, where with my old camera it was nearly impossible. They come out so crystal clear (most of them, not so much with my wiggly baby as the subject!) and the colors are so bright, and true.“

” Just to state right up front that I’m not a really great photographer. I bought the Canon PowerShot SX130IS for the optical zoom as my current Sony has only a 3x optical zoom. Having fun with this camera. No issues with the batteries ( I also purchased rechargable AA’s since I know, in general how quickly cameras use regular alkaline batteries). I’m happy with my choice and would recommend this to others.“

” Coming from a SLR I LIKE the pop up flash. When you can easily CHOOSE when you want the extra light. I know a lot of people HATE that about this camera but honestly it gives you much more control and is nice for travel -like visiting museums where flash is not allowed.“

” If you are looking for a crystal clear picture, super fast shutter speed (lesser cameras were too slow for my 1 year old to keep his eyes open for the flash), 10x plus zoom, camera/video capable, super easy to use, and not a big complicated digital SLR then this is it. You will probably as an average consumer and photographer just keep it in “auto” mode most of the time. Unless you are really into playing with your camera then you will probably use all the settings at one time or another. There are not so many that it’s confusing. This camera packs a big punch with great zoom ans so simple to use. I LOVE this camera and will not buy a different brand in the future.“

” This camera offers many of the features of a more expensive camera. And there is no need to buy a lot of extra expensive lenses as you would for a DSLR. The zoom range takes care of just about any photo length you could want, except for the most outrageous safari type lenses.“

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a simple, easy-to-use camera that will deliver the goods without breaking the bank, this is the camera to get. It covers all the basics and more, and is intelligent and simple enough for beginners. For the more enthusiastic, it also has a wide range of manual controls to play around with to help you achieve the best results.

Where to Buy

If you are after a bargain, you can’t beat online retailers as they pass on operational cost savings to you. Amazon is the cheapest place to grab this camera at a price as low as $197.50, significantly lower than other stores who retail it for $100 more.

==> Purchase the Canon SX30IS at Amazon <==

Canon SX130IS- Flash

==> Get the Canon SX30IS at Amazon <==

I personally like a camera that performs well in low light without the need of a flash. Forced flash on a regular consumer digital camera produces harsh lighting which can be very unflattering and makes the colour of your photos look rather washed-out.

All the nice restaurants and bars have dim lighting and it’s a such a shame to not be able to capture great food and moments with friends on a good night out.

Now, you’ve probably heard of the term ‘ISO’ but might not know what it means. In a nutshell, ISO stands for ‘international standards organisation’ and is a numbering system measuring your camera’s sensitivity to light. The higher the ISO, the higher the sensitivity to light.

For example, a bright sunny day has a lot of light so a low ISO number would be ideal to take good photos. But at nighttime, there isn’t much light, so a high ISO number is needed to increase the sensitivity of your camera’s light sensor to make full use of the little light around you. However, the higher the ISO, the more noise (graininess in photos) there is.

Modern consumer cameras have fixed automatic ISO numbers for the ‘auto’ option. This means if you want to play around with the ISO numbers, you have to manually change it when you’re in a manual mode on your camera. But as most consumers are not tech-savvy, ideally a camera should have a good auto setting.

So how does the Canon Powershot SX130 IS perform in low light in its auto setting? Does it produce dark photos with a lot of  graininess? Or can it produce great quality photos even if you don’t know anything about cameras? Stay tuned as I will be looking at real customer opinions and answering these questions in my review to come.

The Canon Powershot SX130IS shoots 720p high definition video with stereo sound. You can also make use of its wide-angle 12x optical zoom during filming for great close ups.

One of features I find absolutely fascinating about the Canon SX130IS is its ‘miniature effect’, available in video as well as for still images. Sure this camera can also create a ‘fisheye effect’ for images which is cool, but that’s something which we’ve all seen before. The ‘miniature effect’ is new and so incredibly fun to play with in videos!

What is it, you ask? Well, the ‘miniature effect’ basically makes everyone seem like little miniature figures running about in an animated movie. It is great to use in crowded places- city streets, busy intersections, airports, shopping malls etc. It makes for some pretty awesome home movies!

If you can’t get what I’m talking about, that’s okay! Just watch this short video below and see for yourself:

Looking to buy the Canon Powershot SX130IS? I’m pleased to tell you that you have come to the right place.

I am planning to compile a review which will tell you everything you need to know about the Canon PowerShot SX130IS- from the functions and specifications, to what other people are saying about it.

What is so great about this camera? What will work for you? What are current users loving about it? On top of all the good, I will also list some criticisms some users have to help you make the best decision, as inevitably not every product will suit every person as we all have different needs.

As I am aware that a lot of other websites give very technical reviews and advice, I intend to explain technical details in clear, simple language so that everyday people will be able to understand it. So if you’re not a tech-savvy person, but nonetheless you want a good camera which has functions that will enable you to take great photos, then I hope this review will help you decide.

If you have a feedback, questions or comments on the Canon SX130IS or this website, please go to the Contact tab on the top right-hand corner of the page. Your opinions are much appreciated.

Stay tuned!