Yet another great PowerShot camera
Really, we could just say that the SX120 IS digital camera from Canon is a part of the PowerShot series, and that's all you'd need to know to be assured of its high performance level, quality, advanced design, etc. But, what fun would that be? We'd much rather indulge in the details. Starting things off, the SX120 IS sports a 1/2.5" CCD image sensor, capable of capturing extraordinarily detailed 10.0-megapixel images that can easily be enlarged without sacrificing resolution. Next, a built-in 10x optical zoom makes it possible to reach out and photograph distant subjects with clarity and detail. Further, bringing you a wide, clear view of your subject matter, the SX120 IS features a 3.0" color LCD viewscreen, great for both composing and reviewing all your shots. And then, truly built for on-the-go, go-anywhere photography, the SX120 IS forgoes a built-in battery in favor of replaceable size-AA batteries. The next time you get low on power, you can simply swap in a new pair of batteries — no more stopping to find an outlet and wait for a recharge. And then . . . the PowerShot SX120 IS is dedicated to bringing you a gratifying, hassle-free photography experience. Accordingly, Canon has outfitted this digital point-and-shoot with two technologies that allow you to capture optimally exposed photos without worrying a bit about camera settings. Read on.
Move over, "1-2-3"
We've all heard of things being as "easy as 1-2-3". Well, the Canon SX 120 IS's Easy Mode makes taking stunning digital photos as easy as "1". Once you choose Easy Mode, the SX120 IS takes care of all camera settings, automatically. Taking advantage of 20 pre-programmed shooting modes and eight special scene modes, not only does it set all camera controls, it optimizes the flash to reduce blur and improve image quality. The results are bright, clear, and natural images. And remember: it's all automatic.
It's auto. It's smart. It's Smart Auto.
Sometimes the last thing you want to do is worry about configuring the right camera settings for a shot. Sometimes events are happening too fast to allow time, and sometimes you just want to be a part of the action. In any case, what you seek is a little automation. You seek the Canon SX120 IS with Smart AUTO mode. Smart AUTO technology gives you the ability to take stunning, perfectly exposed photos under a variety of conditions, effortlessly. After intelligently analyzes shooting conditions, Smart AUTO technology automatically selects an appropriate range of settings from 18 specially defined categories. Whether you're snapping shots of kids and pets at a park, friends out on the town at night, fireworks, beach scenes, or landscapes, the SX120 IS automatically optimizes your shots.
Masterful portraits
Sure, you enjoy dabbling in landscapes, cityscapes, and wildlife photography, but by-and-large, people are your most common subjects. Capturing well composed, well exposed photos of the human face, however, can be a tricky business. Well, unless you're using the Canon PowerShot SX120 IS. Combining a variety of technologies, Canon's DIGIC 4 technology enhances and simplifies photographing people. First, Face Detection technology finds and tracks the faces of moving subjects until you're ready to shoot, then delivers optimal focus, flash, and white balance for balanced, natural skin tones and properly exposed backgrounds. Intelligent Contrast Correction controls the compensation level in pixel units to brighten dark areas while leaving bright areas unchanged for improved portraits when a person's face is shadowed. Third, Red-eye Correction makes it possible to remove red-eye from photos either automatically while you're taking them or manually at a later time. Fourth, Motion Detection Technology optimizes ISO sensitivity and exposure settings to improve clarity when subjects are in motion. Finally, a Face Detection Self-Timer automatically detects an increase in the number of faces and makes the appropriate adjustments. For example, the SX120 IS will allow the photographer to leave the camera on a tripod and enter a group photo before snapping the shot.
Bye-bye, blur
We've all done it: taken a blurry photo. Whether it was the excitement of the shot or an unstable shooting platform, shaky hands led to fuzzy, unclear shots. Equipped with Canon's acclaimed Optical Image Stabilizer Technology, the SX120 IS digital camera takes great strides in minimizing or eliminating the effects of camera shake. Take steady, crisp, brilliant images, even when using the optical zoom!
Hey, it shoots video, too
In case you haven't noticed, there's a bit of a trend in today's world of digital imaging: digital camcorders that also shoot still photos, and digital cameras that allow you to shoot video. And the Canon SX120 IS is no exception. This PowerShot digital camera helps spice up your shooting experience by allowing you to capture JPEG-formatted video along with WAVE monaural audio.
Included with purchase
The following items are included with the purchase of the Canon PowerShot SX120 IS: SX120 IS camera, 2 AA-size alkaline batteries, one 128MB SD memory card, Wrist strap (WS-800), Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, USB cable (IFC-400PCU), and AV cable (AVC-DC400).
Perfect Camera (September 05, 2010)
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Reviewed By: William H. - Fort Mill, SC
I bought this camera for me and my wife. We were upgrading from our previous camera that I had for over 5 years. This Canon camera is awesome. One of the reasons I bought it was for the optical zoom. It can zoom in really close on objects far away. I purchased Canon because of their reputation and I have not been let down. I definitely recommend this to anyone. I also purchased from Vanns because they have the same price as the box stores and I didnt have to pay tax or shipping. What a deal!
Ordering through Vans (February 13, 2010)
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Reviewed By: Chuck C. - Billings, MT
I purchased a Cannon Power Shot camera from Vanns shortly after the first of the year.
To my amazemant, the camera arrived in the mail the very next day. This was so convenient and the price was the same as going to the store here in Billings.
Great Job!
Canon Camera (February 12, 2010)
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Reviewed By: Wayne Z. - The Villages, FL
Ordering, Delivery and operation of camera has been superior! Thanks
Canon Powershot SX120IS (February 12, 2010)
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Reviewed By: Dale S. - Spokane Valley, WA
This has been a great camera for us. We were looking for something that had a powerful enough optical zoom to take pictures of our son who plays in the marching band. There were other brands out there with the same 10X zoom but none of them come close to the quality of the picture at full zoom. The image stabilization is outstanding and always captures a clear image. The only thing that could be improved is the battery. I would love to see canon get away from the AA battery in their 10X and above zoom point and shoot cameras.
Great camera! (February 12, 2010)
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Reviewed By: Michael S. - Denton, TX
We have not used a lot thus far. Nonetheless, we have used it and found that for the price it is a good camera. The video shoots flawlessly and smoothly. The stability correction works well on this camera. The lens takes clear and crisp photos with minimal digital delay. It is a small and powerful device. There is one thing that I do not like or am still getting used to the flash does not automatically pop up even when auto-flash is engagedit must be done manually. The noise in the photographs is better than tolerable. The colors seem to be correct. All around a good camera for the money. The large display is a highlight of this camerait is bright, accurate in color representation, and does not change hue, contrast, or distort when not view directly facing it. That is nice.
canon sx12ois (February 12, 2010)
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Reviewed By: Travis L Carter - Atwood, TN
great camera lots of zoom and pixels
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS (February 12, 2010)
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Reviewed By: Robert F. - Plympton, MA
I love this camera for many reasons, but especially
1. Larger LCD screen 3.0
2.10x optical zoom
3.10.0 megapixels
I intend to sell some things on the internet, so this camera is perfect for shooting items at close range with excellent resolution.
Even though it is still very portable, I like the idea of a slightly larger camera vs. the slim varieties. It feels more comfortable and easier to control.
Compared to other digital cameras in theis price range, it is a great choice. It has many features that are found on more expensive models.
Canon SX120 IS (January 31, 2010)
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Reviewed By: Jan C. - Placentia, CA
This is my first experience with Vanns ~ and 2nd experience with Canon. I debated between an SLR or a point and shoot. I spent months looking at all types and all brands of cameras. Although larger and heavier than my previous point and shoot, it is far lighter than an SLR and the picture quality is amazing. I wanted 2 things 1 a 3 screen and 2 the capability to shoot video. The only feature I was absolutely apprehensive about were the AA batteries ~ I found out quickly that with the 3 screen, and all the bells and whistles , that the batteries didnt last long at all ! I immediately went out and purchased the rechargable NiMH batteries 4 with the charger for $15.99 and I have 2 in the camera, and keep 2 as a back up at all times. I am MORE THAN satistied with the life of the batteries now and am thrilled with the quality of my photos, as well as the ease of this camera. I would highly recommend this as a starter camera OR, if you are looking to move up from perhaps another point and shoot ~ but not quite ready for an SLR. In addition to being happy with my camera, Vanns was an excellent experience as well ~ no sales tax and free shipping was a plus, but I found their customer service to be absolutely exceptional ~ theyre representives are very knowlegable and I would recommend Vanns as well as the Canon SX120IS.
Comparison Specifications
- Maximum pixels: 10.0 megapixels, effective / 10.3 megapixels, total
- Memory: Support for SD, SDHC, MultiMediaCard (MMC), MMC+, and HC MMC+ memory cards
- Zoom power: 10x optical zoom / 4x digital zoom / 40x combined zoom
- Shooting modes: Smart Auto, Easy, Auto, P, Av, Tv, M, Easy, Portrait, Landscape, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Movie, Night Scene
- Flash modes: Auto / Auto with Red-eye Reduction / Flash on, off / Flash on with Red-eye Reduction / FE lock / Safety FE / Slow synchro
- Movie mode: 640 x 480 movie capture / JPEG video with WAVE monaural audio
- Manual custom: Manual exposure
- Viewscreen: 3.0" TFT LCD display
- Digital interface: 1 USB v2.0 port / NTSC/PAL video output / Monaural audio out
Additional Specifications
- Image processor: DIGIC 4 image processor with Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB, Red-eye Correction, Intelligent Contrast Correction, and Motion Detection Technology
- Photo formats: JPEG with Exif2.2 compression / DPOF v1.1
- Built-in optical image stabilization
- image sensor: 1/2.5" CCD sensor
- Autofocus system: TTL autofocus
- Continuous shooting: 1.3 frames-per-second
- Photo effects: My Colors / Vivid / Neutral / Sepia / Black & White / Custom Color
- Exposure control: Program AE / Manual / AE Lock / Program Shift / Safety Shift / Auto ISO Shift
- Light metering: Evaluative / Center-weighted average / Spot
- Power: Uses 2 AA-size batteries / 130-shot capacity with alkaline batteries, 370-shot capacity with Ni-MH batteries
Manufacturer Specifications
- Focal length: 6.0mm - 60.0mm
- Aperture: f/2.8 - f/4.3
- Shutter speed: 15 sec - 1/2500 sec
- ISO sensitivity: 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600
- White balance: Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Tungsten / Fluorescent / Fluorescent H / Custom
- Still-image playback: Single, Magnification, Jump, Auto rotate, Rotate, Resume, Transition Effects, Histogram, Index, Slideshow, Red-eye correction, Re-size, Easy
- Movie playback: Normal / Special / Auto Rotate / Resume / Easy
Dimensional Specifications
- Dimensions: 4.35" W x 2.77" H x 1.76" D
- Weight: 8.64 oz
Canon PowerShot SX120IS Warranty Details
1-year limited warranty