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

Great small camera with a viewfinder as well as the LCD. I have found it difficult to take pictures outdoors using a camera without a viewfinder. Picture quality is great, camera is small enough to carry easily.

This is a top notch compact camera. Much of this camera's features have been written in other reviews. Here is what I would like to add.

Pros:

1)One of the major benefits of this camera is not just the hardware (Digic is one of the best photo processors and the lens of this camera is very good for a compact camera), but the software. The operating system of this camera is very usable and has a lot of functionalities. You can, for example, change the language settings among 20 or so different languages. My older Panasonic Lumix camera did not offer such a feature (it offered only 3 other languages). If you are a techie and want to customize every feature of your camera, then this camera will definitely will meet your needs.

2)The battery seems to last forever. With one charge, you can easily take 200+ pictures with flash and still have good deal of battery power left. For most trips fewer than 15 days (and probably lot more), you will not need to bring the recharger unless you plan to go crazy with taking pictures.

3)This camera easily fits into your pocket and its surface, including the display, is scratch resistent.

Cons:

1)When used in the "auto" mode, which is the default mode, there is a very noticeable lag of about 1.5-2.0 seconds between the press of the button and the actual snapshot. This camera is not made for motion capture snapshots (you can still take motion video shots).

Conclusion:

You can't go wrong with this camera as long as your expectations are reasonable. This camera will not take the highest quality pictures like the bulky and much more expensive SLR often used by professionals. And you will not be able to take 10 snapshots in 5 seconds as often required in motion capture photography. But you will take very good (just not magazine cover quality) pictures and the stillshots will be the envy of your friends.

While I have only had my camera a couple of hours, I have logged in many (some may say too many) hours of internet research to find the best small digital camera under $[...] and think I have found it!! I had a Kodak DX7360 and loved it, but it is clunky, and then didn't survive a night out in the rain on Halloween. Oops! As much as I loved my old Kodak, I have been scared off of purchasing a new Kodak since many many reviews said the pictures were not clear, the shutter time seemed too slow, and that they seemed to just stop working altogether in a matter of months. Seemed like these were similar complaints of Nikon Coolpix, Sony Cybershots, Samsungs and Olympus.

My final options were this Canon SD1200, an Olympus Stylus 7010, Casio Ex-S5 and Casio EXZ33. What really sold me on the Canon SD1200 was the fact that I found awesome reviews from expert websites:

[...] - it made the Dave's Picks list
[...] - "strong buy" (the highest rating) (Olypus 7010 was only "good buy.")
[...] - rated the Best Ultra Compact Digital Camera under $200
[...] - rated an A.

Like most people, I didn't want to buy any camera without actually testing it out. I tested it out at Best Buy, got a few quick pics of my 4 yr old and was totally sold! The camera took crisp pictures immediately. Crisp and quick were my main objectives since I pretty much only take pictures of my 2 and 4 yr old boys who are always on the go! : )

I don't know about technical details of zoom, digital/optical etc, but was able to shoot a quick, clear image little video of my dog and was able to zoom while recording. A lot of other point and shoot cameras do not have the zoom while recording feature.

I didn't actually buy this camera from Amazon.com. I still wanted to submit a review though since I've pored over the many reviews on this site for this camera and the others I researched. I ended up buying it in person today for the same price at Best Buy(Black Friday)and purchased the Geek Squad Black Tie 2 yr warranty. Although after all the great things I've heard about the Canon SD1200, the $35 Best Buy protection plan will cover pretty much anything short of actually losing the camera...even if it gets left out in the rain next Halloween. : )

I'll add to my review in the future if my opinion changes, but so far, this seems like the best quality, easy-to-use, quick and crisp picture taking camera for the money.

Very compact, takes great pictures. The only drawback is that the battery needs to be charged before use and that limits spontaneity. I bought a second battery to keep in the charger.

I was origially interested in a different Canon Powershot, but got side-tracked by this one because of its color (I'm a girl, afterall). I couldn't be happier. The camera is so user-friendly that I have yet to flip through the instruction manual. It takes great photos, practically does all the work for you, and is small enough to fit in the smallest purse. A great buy!