Canon PowerShot SX130IS Review (Part 2)

Canon really hit the nail on the head with this product. This digital camera has all the bells and whistles that actually matter. First of all, its ergonomic design makes it a pleasure to use and hold the camera. All the major controls are ready to be put to use instantly. It’s a point-and-shoot camera in the real sense of the word. You can start using it straight out of the box.

The Powershot SX130IS is a combination still camera and video maker. You can use the zoom function even while recording a video at 720p resolution. The video is recorded in stereo sound.

Its 12x wide-angle optical zoom allows you to capture astonishingly clear images even from a distance. This camera performs at high speed while keeping power consumption low. With Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer, camera shake is controlled even while zooming in, so your images remain sharp and steady.

The downside when zooming in while in video mode is that the camera does not auto focus. You have to use the shutter to re-focus.

The camera has many fun and functional features. The Miniature and Fisheye modes are a lot of fun to use. With the Smile Detection mode, a picture is taken without using the shutter when a smile is detected.

The LCD screen is big, bright and clear. It has an auto-rotate feature, so the images you view are always right side up. Images on the screen are very clear even in bright sunlight.

Some people may find the PowerShot SX130IS a bit bulky, but it’s not really that much bigger than a regular point and shoot camera. Besides, it has a nice heft that many people like. It’s an improvement on the older PowerShot SX120IS, which does not have the HD video capability.

The only thing lacking in this digital camera, which would have made it close to perfect, is a viewfinder. On the other hand, many people prefer using the LCD screen when taking pictures or movies. Only a few people use a viewfinder, so most users will not miss this feature on the PowerShot SX130IS.

Recommendation

With a digital camera that’s close to perfect, there’s no other recommendation possible except to buy it. Prices are lower than ever, and you can purchase the Canon Powershot SX130IS offline at department stores or online at Amazon.com.

Posted in: Canon PowerShot, Digital Camera, Review