|
Canon PowerShot SX200IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-inch LCD (Blue)
|
| List Price: | $329.00 |
| Price: | $299.00 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details |
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com
16 new or used available from $274.95
Average customer review:
Product Description
Creating gorgeous images is more fun than ever with the sleek, impressively equipped PowerShot SX200 IS. Capture close-up, wide-angle shots with stunning 12x optical zoom. Experience the unprecedented image quality and point-and-shoot convenience of Smart Auto, along with enhanced operability and an intuitive new menu. HD shooting at 1280 x 720 pixels with HDMI output lets you see all the beauty of your HD images and movies on your HDTV.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #618 in Camera & Photo
- Color: Blue
- Brand: Canon
- Model: SX200IS Blue
- Dimensions: 2.40" h x 1.50" w x 4.10" l, .49 pounds
- Display size: 3
- Included Software: Yes
Features
- 12.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
- 12x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer; 28mm wide-angle lens
- HD movie shooting capability plus HDMI output
- 3.0-inch LCD screen; Face Detection, Blink Detection
- Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)
Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
Creating gorgeous images is more fun than ever with the sleek, impressively-equipped PowerShot SX200 IS. Capture close-up, wide-angle shots with stunning 12x optical zoom. Experience the unprecedented image quality and point-and-shoot convenience of Smart AUTO, along with enhanced operability and an intuitive new menu. HD shooting at 1280 x 720 pixels with HDMI output lets you see all the beauty of your HD images and movies on your HDTV.
PowerShot SX200 IS Highlights
 |
For all its easy operability, the PowerShot SX200 IS has a feature set to be reckoned with. 12.1-megapixel resolution delivers a wealth of detail to every image, and allows you to crop and enlarge any portion of your shot freely. With the camera’s powerful 12x optical zoom, you’ll get up close fast, handy at sports and school events as well as everyday creative shooting. The 28mm wide-angle lens captures more in every frame, and gives your photography a professional edge.
 |
Capture Your Best Shots Easily
Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings
Just set the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS to Smart AUTO and you’re ready for maximum enjoyment from your picture taking every time. It’s a relaxing and satisfying way to shoot because you can completely concentrate on your subject knowing that the camera has the technical details covered. Advanced Canon technology intelligently analyzes your situation and shooting conditions. Then it automatically selects an appropriate setting from 18 specially defined settings. So whether you’re photographing flowers, a captivating sunset, or your friends at the park, you can be confident that you’re getting dramatic, memorable images.
Shooting Modes
Advanced presets for the best possible photos under certain conditions. With 23 Shooting Modes including 11 Special Scene Modes, you’re ready for whatever shot comes your way
 |
The PowerShot SX200 IS lets you record video in beautiful high definition (1280 x 720 pixels). The camera also makes it easy to enjoy HD movies (and still photos) on your HDTV with an mini-HDMI connector for direct connection to a high-definition monitor. You’ll enjoy the HD experience with no degradation of image or audio in the signal, plus the ability to display up to 130 still images at once.
Blink Detection
Blinking subjects can ruin the best shots, and the problem usually isn’t detected until it’s too late to do anything about it. The PowerShot SX200 IS is equipped with Canon’s new Blink Detection to combat this common image flaw. The feature uses the power of Face Detection to determine whether any subject in the previous shot had closed eyes. If closed eyes are detected, a "blink warning" icon appears for 3 seconds, allowing you to retake the shot before your subject or subjects move on.
 |
The camera’s high resolution (230,000 dots) 3.0-inch LCD with gives you the big picture, whether you’re shooting, reviewing or showing off your images. This high-resolution screen offers a crisp, clear picture to make shooting, playback and using the camera’s menu functions especially convenient. Clear and bright, it also features Night Display for easy viewing in low light. It also has an electronic viewfinder that provides sharp images when you shoot close-up with Super Macro shooting mode.
A World of Advantages with Canon’s Technology
DIGIC 4 Image Processor has evolved Face Detection Technology that tracks the faces of moving subjects and lets the shooter enter the frame seamlessly with the Face Detection Self-Timer.
 |
Canon’s most advanced image processor, DIGIC 4, delivers evolved Face Detection Technology that keeps every face in every photo looking its very best. The technology finds and tracks the faces of moving subjects until you’re ready to shoot, then delivers perfect focus. In addition, exposure, flash and white balance are compensated, so that faces exhibit natural skin tones and backgrounds are properly exposed.
iSAPS Technology is an entirely original scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS works with the advanced DIGIC 4 image processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.
A Face Detection Self-Timer automatically detects an increase in the number of faces and makes the appropriate adjustments. For instance, to include the photographer’s face in a group shot, there’s no need to rush in. Just put the camera on a stand or tripod, specify Face Detection Self-Timer, and the camera will wait for the photographer’s face to get on-camera before it takes the shot. Motion Detection tracks moving subjects in a much larger range, and the Servo AF retains focus on a moving subject after the shutter button is pressed halfway--allowing you to wait for the perfect shot without refocusing.
 |
DIGIC 4 also makes possible the i-Contrast (Intelligent Contrast Correction) system, which controls the compensation level in pixel units to brighten dark areas while leaving bright areas unchanged for better images where the main subject is dark, and more natural transition. The PowerShot SX200 IS can even use i-Contrast in playback mode to adjust images that were shot without the setting activated.
Red-eye Correction provides three options for removing red-eye from subjects in flash pictures.
1) Red-eye Correction during shooting actually identifies and corrects red-eye in human subjects as pictures are taken.
2) The PowerShot SX200 IS can be set to automatically detect and correct red-eye during image playback.
3) You can manually locate any red eyes in a scene during image playback on the LCD screen, and command the camera to remove them.
Life doesn’t give you second chances to capture special times. That’s why the PowerShot SX200 IS features an ISO 1600 setting that reduces the effects of camera shake and sharpens subjects in low-light situations, giving you greater shooting flexibility. ISO can be expanded to 3200 when you select ISO 3200 Special Scene mode.
What's in the Box
- PowerShot SX200 IS body
- Lithium-ion battery pack (NB-5L)
- Battery charger (CB-2LX)
- Wrist strap (WS-DC9)
- Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
- USB interface cable (IFC-400PCU)
- AV cable (AVC-DC400)
Customer Reviews
Bought a Panasonic ZS3, returned it for a Canon SX200
I have been a Canon shooter for many years, both DSLRs and point and shoots. I own a Canon G7 for personal use and have been extremely happy with it, but I am tired of having to add attachments for wide angle and telephoto photography. I also wanted a camera that is small enough to put in a jacket or shirt pocket easily. I decided that of the cameras currently on the market, either the Panasonic Lumix ZS3 or Canon SX200 seemed to be what I was looking for. I researched the product thoroughly and chose the Lumix ZS3 based on multiple reviews that gave that camera the nod over the SX200. (Specifications-wise, these cameras are near twins.)
After several days of testing the ZS3 I was unhappy with it. The camera had poor low-light performance, a weak flash, and bad color balance and contrast. (See my review of that camera on its Amazon product page.) I returned it and bought an SX200. This camera is a gem. The quality of the photos are what I was expecting from a camera in this price range (better given how much cheaper it is than a ZS3). The zoom is very fast which allows you to focus on the action quickly and get the shot you are looking for. (The zoom on the ZS3 is slow in comparison.)
The camera performs well in low light--much better than the ZS3. There is very little noise and Canon's optical stabilization allows for lower ISO and shutter speeds. The SX200 has a powerful flash that illuminates the subject very well and at a good distance. I am sure part of the reason for this is the much maligned pop-flash, as this helps the flash clear the large lens barrel. Also, the fact the flash pops up when not in use is something that I barely notice. (Sure, it would be nice if it didn't.) The overall quality in low light will not compare to a DSLR, but that is to be expected.
I will say that, like my G7, this camera seems to struggle a little in very bright outdoor conditions. Specifically, highlights have a tendency to get blown out if you are not careful. Even when using the exposure compensation this can still be problematic. However, the day has to be VERY bright for this to be a problem. Also, this is where Canon's variety of shooting modes helps, as using the Shutter Priority mode has helped me in this situation to get good results.
The build quality of this camera is excellent. The physical controls are very well-done, and the on-camera software is first rate and much better than the ZS3. The Canon software is not only easier to use and has more controls, but it just looks better with excellent fonts and translucent menus.
The color saturation and white balance are excellent, and the different shooting modes (program mode, aperture mode, manual, etc.) give the photographer a wide range of options that are not available on the ZS3. I use these modes probably more than half the time.
I almost gave the camera four stars on the account of it not having optical zoom in video, but at this price point and given all the other excellent features of the camera (wide angle, 12x zoom, excellent software, etc.) I don't think that would be fair. The HD video is of excellent quality, though I have to give the nod to the ZS3 on the video overall.
The only other negatives are the door to access the data ports, which has a flimsy plastic hinge, and the lack of a "super fine" quality mode for the jpegs like they had on my G7. (I really wish they would include RAW, but I know they reserve that for their high-end cameras.)
Summary:
Pros:
Excellent physical quality
Excellent on-camera software
Good low light performance
Powerful flash
Good HD video
Excellent color balance and contrast
Variety of shooting modes and manual controls
Cons:
No optical zoom in video
Flimsy hinge on the data ports door
Lack of super fine quality mode
Tendency for overexposure in highlights on very bright days
Overall, an excellent buy especially for the price.
good but could be better
just got this after reading some of the reviews. here's what i think. picture quality it good, even at iso400 like all the other reviewers said but it is still a point and shoot, so don't expect slr type of lens speed.
pros:
-great zoom 12x
-great video quality (no optical zoom but it has digital)
-manual control, for a compact which is great!
cons:
-flash pops up (this doesn't bother me as much but it is annoying)
-compact size but longer...from the picture it looks to be a good size but it is a bit longer (width) and thicker than i would like.
all in all, a good compact (not sub-compact) with manual controls and good picture quality. i've had nikon cameras all my life and this is my first canon (i know, i know), the only reason i didn't get a nikon is because they don't have a decent super-zoom compact, there's the p6000 but...lots of issues with that. anyways, nice camera!
This thing is awesome...
I read all the reviews of this camera here on Amazon, as well as seeking out photography websites looking for recommendations for the best small point and shoot camera. Despite a few bad reviews here, everything else I saw was pretty positive, so I decided to go for it. I am SOOOOO glad I did.
From the moment it came out of the box, it was love at first site.
The display is large and clear and crisp.
The photos is takes are wonderful. I have seen low reviews talking about "noise" and "blurriness" and the only thing I can guess is that these people never took 5 minutes to figure out how to USE the camera. Set to the indoor setting, pictures taken inside are clear, crisp and brilliant. No noise. If you use the Kids&Pets mode, motion shots are almost always perfect and without blurriness. If you try and take every picture on "Auto" you are going to get a mixed bag of shots on ANY camera, that is why the camera comes with different settings.
I've also seen complaints about where the flash is and how hard the camera is to hold. It is true that when turning the camera on, the flash has bumped my finger a few times. But this is hardly a deal breaker. So it bumps you - it isn't as though it is causing injury to the camera or to you, for goodness sake!!!! So it bumps you and you move your finger - big deal! I cannot fathom why anyone would care about this. As far as being hard to hold, maybe if you had the hands of a 7 ft NBA player or a 350lb lineman, it might be a bit small in your hands and hard to handle - but so would ANY small camera. But both my husband and myself have had no issues holding on to it. If you are worried for some reason, that is what the camera strap is there for. Personally, I love the fact that it EASILY slips into a pocket so I don't walk around looking like a tourist, or have my hands full of camera while I want to be site-seeing.
The function section of this camera (SCN) is SUPER fun. You can take pictures where you turn everything in the photo black & white except selected color(s). This yields some AWESOME artsy shots with no effort (seriously, take pictures in candlight, where the color of the candle light is the only color - AMAZING!!!!). You can also swap colors to take wacky, fun photos. People will think you are a photography genius, and all you did was point and click. There is also a straight B&W mode, and sepia mode, like most cameras.
All in all, I CANNOT imagine having chosen any other camera.
