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Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Dark Gray)
	Manufacturer: Canon Customer Rating:   List Price: $179.00 Sale Price: $149.00 Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Now

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When a camera puts a smile on your face the moment you hold it, imagine how great you'll feel when you see your first pictures! The PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH has everything going for it - exuberant color, the sculptured style of Canon's famed ELPH series - and the innovative know - how that takes you to a whole new level of picture-taking accomplishment. Fun, smart and a style follow you everywhere.

• 10.0-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for prints up to 13 x 19 inches
• 3x optical zoom; 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II screen
• DIGIC 4 Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology; Face Detection Self-timer
• Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings
• Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)

Great camera!

Review Date: March 11, 2010

Reviewer: Colleen Rowland,

This camera takes great pictures and is very easy to use. Battery life is great...just went to Egypt and was able to take 3 days worth of pictures before having to charge the battery...and the battery wasn't even dead at that point. One thing I wish this camera had that other Cannon's have is the Vivid Color feature. I love the effect of making the whole picture black and white and just having one color stand out. Otherwise, I have no complaints and I LOVE the green color!

Very nice!

Review Date: March 11, 2010

Reviewer: D. Glynn, Nashville TN USA

This is our fourth Canon purchase. Like the rest, we have become very pleased with the product. There is some tendency to cheapen the housing etc from one to the next. I think the USB access cover is going to break any day now. Quality is good. I really do not need the increased megapixels but this is the trend for the industry. The screen size is great. I like the new button to move from picture to picture. I am happy with the purchase. Wish they had not changed battery size as we lose the flexibity to share batteries and chargers.

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Review Date: March 11, 2010

Reviewer: Emily L. Cubitt, NC USA

Had last year's model of same camera but was unfortunately lost. Chose to get same camera since the previous one was such a good product.

Solid with Great Feature Choices

Review Date: March 10, 2010

Reviewer: JonShops, Oklahoma

PROS: This camera has a great look and feel. More compact than pictures of it may seem, but not wafer thin like some. Doesn't have lush interface, just a practical and elegant one. For example, only about 5 different auto modes ('Portrait', 'Kids', etc.) that don't have example pictures; instead, you see the current shot as altered for that mode. When you press OK button options appear down right and across bottom of view screen; you select by navigating with ring button around OK. You have direct EV+/- control via ring button and can easily set white balance via interface. Also has 'My Color' feature that lets you set color saturation, etc. via interface in Program mode: this feature is very detailed. Program mode is not complete...cannot select shutter or f-stop priority, but does include ISO setting, so you basically can trade off noise for blur (low ISO reduces noise but slows the shutter). You just can't add depth-of-field to the mix of trade-offs without 'tricking' the settings via EV and ISO. Low ISO shooting makes a huge difference in picture quality to the point that shooting 10MP instead of 5MP at over ISO 300 is of dubious benefit. 'Indoors' auto mode lowers ISO for you, but using Program mode and lowering it more is better if the subject is stationary. With lots of light or a tripod photos are lavish even when zoomed when shooting ISO 80. So at low ISO low-light shooting is great, but not for moving subjects or unsteady hands. The cammera has optical stabilization, and I've shot reasonable photos at a 1 second shutter free hand, but it takes some breathing control. Playback has the standard zoom feature and can zoom out to either a panel of thumbnails or else a faux-3D picture cycle. Will also show all settings for the shot, even settings the camera set automatically like shutter speed. Also shows true file size along with the resolution and assumed file size for that setting (the assumed size is a worst-case assumption). The camera always shows this assumed size with resolution, which is handy, but it names the resolutions with single letters, a la VHS SP,SLP, etc., so that's what the funny L means in the corner: L=highest resolution. In spite of some spec sheets saying it's 700mAh, this camera comes with a 1000mAh battery that is said to be capable of 700 shots when using the optical viewfinder, 220 shots using the LCD viewscreen--I assume without flash. Camera offers three metering selections: full average, center-weighted, and spot. The face detection is nearly perfect...it can even follow faces through cross cuts while 'watching' TV, and it can recognize 3/4 views of faces--oblique views. Power-on time is remarkably fast. No problems with shooting speed. Flash might slow things down, but unbounced flash shots are usually so icky I hardly use flash...it is said to be good from 1 foot (1 meter if shooting into eyes!) to 14 feet. Camera has a magic red ray that it says helps with autofocus. You can turn it off, and I haven't really noticed much of a difference with it off. CONS: In auto modes the camera picks higher ISO than I would like because I'm not shooting sports shots, etc., but I think the choices are good ones in general, and they can be overridden easily. The icons are not exactly self-evident. Camera does not come with a manual worth mentioning (but PDF is available). I can't speak to the software as I have no intention of using it. The macro settings produce otherwise nice results but they are a little more fish-eye than would be ideal. In full auto mode (separate even from the individual automatic modes) the camera is constantly focusing, etc., which must use up battery pretty fast. Just lightly pressing the shutter release will force settings in other modes, so unless you are shooting rapidly changing subjects the full auto mode is probably overkill. Misses some of the more advance features even of my 5-year-old digital. You cannot set up your own preset settings and pick them like they were built-in modes. There is no internal memory at all. There is no self-portrait modes where you can set up a photo and then have yourself placed in the picture by getting someone to line up a translucent version of your setup with the scene with you in it. Etc. Still all these feature sound more useful than they really ever were since in the moment we usually do the quick thing and shoot the shot, anyway.

Not a friendly camera, I miss my Kodak easy share

Review Date: March 9, 2010

Reviewer: sammy,

I got this camera because it had such amazing reviews and because my mom had the 1100 model and I loved the pictures. I HATE THIS CAMERA!!! I had a Kodak Easy Share and I loved how the pictures turned out and how easy it was to use, but it was too bulky for a diaper bag. I got the Canon 1200 for its portability and the "amazing" pictures it claims to take. Boy am I disappointed. The auto feature is all but useless. 9 out of 10 photos taken with the auto feature turn out blurry. Even when it looks good on the screen I download them and see they are in fact blurry. (if you read a lot of reviews you will see the problems with the auto feature and blurry photos) I have missed so many cute photos of my baby due to this stupid camera. The 1100 was far superior and much more user friendly. I am not a camera person so maybe if you know the ends and outs of cameras it will work for you, but if you are just a normal person looking for a point and shoot camera THIS IS NOT FOR YOU!!

Unworkable as sold

Review Date: March 9, 2010

Reviewer: Robert Schuerger, LA, CA

I find it very unacceptable to pay $150 for a camera and find out that it cannot be used as sold. It does not come with a memory card and nothing in the sales information provided prior to the purchase calls this out. Therefore I will not buy another product from either the supplier or Canon.

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Review Date: March 9, 2010

Reviewer: Alycia Donovan, Brooklyn, NY

This is the best camera for an amateur. Cannon PowerShot takes clear, perfect pictures. The PowerShot also is small enought to fit conveniently in a shirt pocket or small purse.

Great Camera

Review Date: March 9, 2010

Reviewer: S. Ivery, Garland, TX

This is a great camera. I've only owned two digital cameras and this one is the best so far. The picture quality and features are great. It's fits easily in my purse, with a case. I was looking for a pink camera only, and this one is not only cute, it gets the job done. I would definitely recommend this camera.

Beautiful, detailed pictures for EBay selling

Review Date: March 7, 2010

Reviewer: Rowena, Wellsville, NY, US

This camera is great for taking pictures of items to sell on EBay. I've never had such clear detailed pictures before. I love it.

Super, Sleek, Simple

Review Date: March 7, 2010

Reviewer: Andrew Raymond,

Got this before a family trip to Disney World and loved it. A great bargain for the money. Pros: Superb picture quality, great price, great battery life, simple to use. Cons: Not for the established photographer, there is some lag time if you need quick shots or focus.

Great Purse Cam

Review Date: March 5, 2010

Reviewer: L. Kenner, Middle Tennessee

Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Blue) I bought this camera last November as an early X-mas gift to myself to replace my 4-year old Sony Cybershot. Normally, I would have gone for the Cybershot, but this Canon got rave reviews online and in the store. I bought it at Best Buy. I decided to purchase the Canon for several reasons: Canon reputation for digital cameras SD memory card compatible- Sony's need the memory stick pro cards that are a little pricey Ease of use with my Macs- Although more manufacturers are showing Macs some love, there are still man incompatibilities with included software Color selection-I love a camera with a little personality, but many cameras that have different colors take awful pictures. I get a great little camera, in my favorite color I've used the camera in bright and dim areas and I've gotten great pictures in both. I think it's great camera for family outings and general purpose photos.

A smaller replacement with bigger results

Review Date: March 5, 2010

Reviewer: T. Jones, WEATHERFORD, TEXAS, US

I recently purchased this camera to replace a larger Fuji. I wanted more portability, but worried that I would miss the more powerful zoom of my older camera (6 yrs old). We took this on a trip to the zoo and could not be happier. It will definately satisfy those who are back in the market for a good, easy to use camera. I'm a point-and-shoot, "leave it on automatic" sort of girl. I left a photo that we took with this camera in the customer images section (it's a bird being fed birdseed in the zoo)...check it out, this camera is awesome!

don't waste your money on the SD1200 is

Review Date: March 5, 2010

Reviewer: CBlasi, Colorado

I have owned many of the power shot cameras and this one has been by far the worst I have owned. (SD890 was the best). The camera is less than 6 months old and photo clarity has gotten so poor that I finally sent it to the canon repair center. The camera has always been inconsistent with clear pics. Every now and then a very blurry pic would show up. Hand shake was not the problem. I finally got tired of deleting pictures that were to blurry to fix and sent it to the company for warranty. What was their answer? I must have dropped it therefore, sorry, no warranty. Keep this review in mind when you are thinking about canon. I know I will begin to lean towards the nikon for all of my photo equipment needs.

Another perfect product from Canon

Review Date: March 5, 2010

Reviewer: Matthew Wilson,

I owned a Canon Powershot A85 for many years until the imaging sensor died.....then I made really big mistake by purchasing an Olympus Stylus 550. I could go on about the MANY shortcomings of the Stylus 550 but here are a few. Extremely short battery life in temps nearing the teens, sound quality is terrible, shutter speed....well lets just say you better always have a tripod regardless of the available light, but why waste any more time talking about a bad camera. The Canon Powershot SD exceeded my beloved A85 in so many ways I can't list them all. The video is crisp with excellent audio, ease of use can't be beat and best of all the battery life lasts in zero temps! Thanks Canon for another outstanding product!

Simple to use and takes great photos!

Review Date: March 4, 2010

Reviewer: Tracy Stillman, California

Just wanted to throw my two cents in. This is a very easy to use camera that takes great photos! Its also small and simple and fits nicely into my purse or pocket. Great product!

Great camera

Review Date: March 4, 2010

Reviewer: Simon Grace, California, USA

Great camera. Quick refresh time after taking a pic with the flash, i.e. camera lets you take another picture quickly.

terrible customer service

Review Date: March 3, 2010

Reviewer: S. Vos, Calgary, AB

bought this camera for our africa trip. Within days it started to have lens errors and took blurry pictures. Canon warranty claims it has been water damaged. I have always taken care of my camera and know it was not dropped or near water or had any water related accident. Truth is, Canon's warranty is non existent and this product is not worth your money. I will never buy a canon product again

No memory card

Review Date: March 2, 2010

Reviewer: James Mcdowell, Chicago, Illinois USA

Just received the Canon Power Shot SD1200 last night from Amazon. Opened camera to get battery to charge and noticed no memory card. Called Canon Customer Service to tell them card was missing and was told camera does not come with a card. "Can I use it without a card." Answer: "No". Don't see anything in Amazon listing that suggests purchasing a memory card was mandatory for camera to function. At time of purchase there was an offer to purchase what, I thought, was an additional card for an additional price. Don't see that posting today (3/02/2010.

Great Camera!!

Review Date: March 2, 2010

Reviewer: Cansuper, Orlando, FL

Nothing bad to say about this camera. It takes great pictures and my wife couldn't be happier.

Great value!

Review Date: March 1, 2010

Reviewer: Andrea7322, Wethersfield, CT USA

Great camera for the $$. I bought it to replace my Kodak Easy Share, which decided to break the week after my son was born. My only complaint is the battery life, however, it lasts as long as was indicated in the product description.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 at 5:12 pm and is filed under Canon digital cameras. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.