Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Silver)

Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Brown)

The link provided above was the camera that I had previously to owning this one, and it was far superior despite having a lower MP count and being an earlier model. The PowerShot SD1200IS took grainy photographs if taken without flash, and in "auto"-mode it isn't possible to force flash. When I tried to take pictures of my 2 year old nephew who of course does not know how to sit still, the pictures came out blurry. If I used the Program setting, it took a long time for the picture to take, resulting in blurry photos. If I used auto, it came out blurry anyways! It also takes poor photographs in bad lighting. It also does not have the color accent tool which I loved to use and have been on every Canon camera I have had so far. It also is so light & round that it feels like plastic in my hands, like a toy, though that is just my personal opinion. I highly suggest getting a SD1100IS PowerShot over this one, any day.

i was very excited to get the camera since i have had a big bulky Kodak easy share for six years. The cannon Powershot SD1200 iS is 1/3rd of the size of my kodak and is very sleek looking.
After setting everything up, i took my first picture. I was amazed at the face-detection, and how it tracks the face as it moves, which is perfect for capturing children. I was also impressed with the lack of lag time in between pictures and when turning on the camera. However, the only down point is that there is no fireworks setting, thus creating a blurr in the pictures for those great summer-time nights.
Overall, i am satisfied with the camera, and would definitely recommend it.

I own this camera for several weeks now and I absolutely love it! The pictures are crystal clear! If you use night mode, your pics will turn out great too! I also suggest using the "kids and pets" mode if you have small children and pets running around the house to prevent blurs in your pics.

I have to agree with other reviewers that mention that the program mode is better than the auto mode. In auto-mode I sometimes would get blurry photos. I enjoy the "face detection" feature, but sometimes it is a little slow & there is a slight delay before I can press the snapshot button to take the pic.

You should install the software before using the camera. It explains how to use the camera and all of the features that are included like, "indoors", "aquarium", "at the beach", "snow-scapes", "pets & kids", "sunset", "foliage", "low-light", "nightscapes","portrait", "fireworks", "underwater", etc. You can also take pictures in sepia and in black and white and insert the date and time stamp if desired.

Had used camera only 3 weeks. Lens stuck open. Did not drop or mistreat. Lens error message seen on screen and calling Canon resulted only in send it for repairs. Read on internet several threads about Canon small cameras having dreaded lens error causing camera to be inoperatable. Many report that Canon did not honor warranty saying camera dropped or mistreated. I just sent my in. Don't know what Canon will say but not hopeful. Like picture quality with few pictures I got from camera before it died.
UPDATE 6-18-2009 Camera returned from Canon with complete lens assembly replacment. I appreciated that it was covered under warranty! Thanks Canon. Just want readers to be aware if they search internet for Canon lens error that this is a problem reported by many who own the smaller Canon cameras like sd1100 and sd1200

We've previously owned a Canon SD630 and some other named cameras in the past. The SD630 is an awesome camera which never gave us any trouble. It would occasionally flash when it shouldn't causing the picture to be washed out, but it is a great camera.
We purchased the SD1200IS because the initial plan was to give the SD630 to an older family member who isn't always keen on trying something new. But, when this idea was run across my wife, she made it clear to me that she didn't want to get rid of the SD630 because it was sentimental to her.
After using the new SD1200IS, my wife quickly fell in love with it. The camera takes phenomenal pictures every time. Neither of us are photo experts. The camera is set to auto and away we go. The camera makes little noises inside adjusting to the scene and picture you are taking at the time. There is a date stamp you can use which is visible when you take your photo.
Our older Canon had a setting where you could leave it on the review mode and if the power button was accidentally pressed, the lens would not open out. This one does not have that feature. So, if you ever accidentally press the power button, the lens will open out.
Overall we are very happy with our new camera. We have a small child and we love taking pictures with our new camera.
I would recommend this camera to everyone. It is easy to operate and takes great pictures.