Canon SX130 12.1 Megapixel Extended Zoom Reviews Roundup

The third camera that is announced today by Canon is the PowerShot SX130 IS Digital camera. This camera replaces the SX120 IS with an increase in sensor resolution to 12 Megapixels. It also comes with a longer 12x zoom range starting at 28mm, SDXC memory cards support, HD movie recording with stereo sound and additional scene modes including a Miniature mode (in additions to Fisheye, Poster and Super Vivid modes). The SX130 camera has a 3.0-inch LCD screen and is scheduled to be available late August,a retail price of $249.99.
Whether a professional photographer looking for a smaller camera to tote along on assignment or a snap-happy sports fan heading to the big game, the new PowerShot digital cameras give users options for upgrading their shooting experience. All of the new cameras feature Optical Image Stabilization and use the DIGIC 4 Image Processor, the proprietary technology that accounts for the cameras' higher performance levels, improved signal processing speeds and enhanced image quality. Smart AUTO technology can now track moving faces and 22 different shooting situations (up from 18 previously) by identifying the surroundings to help ensure proper lighting and focus, providing the confidence to deliver high-quality photos in virtually any situation, from group snapshots, to landscapes, to portraits and more.

Select new PowerShot models will have the ability to shoot 720p High-Definition (HD) video, utilize the PureColor System LCD and for the first time from Canon, a PowerShot Digital ELPH camera will have a touch screen user interface for easy navigation through images and menus.

The desire to capture a clear shot of a sunrise or sunset over a mountain range can be fulfilled by using powerful features such as the brand new 10.0-Megapixel High Sensitivity System found on two of the new higher-end PowerShot cameras, the PowerShot G11 and PowerShot S90. Proven to enhance image quality in low-light situations and reduce noise at high ISO speeds, the new High Sensitivity System which is combined with the DIGIC 4 image processor, results in a faster shutter speed to help reduce subject blur and camera shake in recorded images. When it's not possible to use the flash at an event such as a wedding or a dance recital, this High Sensitivity System will help ensure images look great while making the user the envy of all in attendance.

"With the introduction of these new PowerShot cameras, consumers will have a wide array of choices when looking to upgrade and enhance their photography experience," said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "Professional and entry-level users alike will now have the opportunity to choose the camera which best suits both their photographic and personal style at the same time."

Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Digital Camera
Featuring:

* A 10.0-Megapixel sensor with a 10x Optical Zoom lens and Optical Image Stabilization helps to ensure images will be clear and how they were meant to be captured.
* A large 3.0-inch LCD allows for easy on-camera previewing and reviewing of menus and images.
* Easy Mode to make picture taking a snap! It gives you the peace of mind when shooting and simplifies camera operation.
* AA batteries for easy power-up and replacement.

Scheduled to be available in September, the PowerShot SX120 IS Digital Camera retails for an estimated price of $249.99.

Canon Powershot SX130 IS Sample Photos on Flickr

Canon Powershot SX130 IS Camera Reviews Roundup

Imaging Resource: "The Canon PowerShot SX130IS is something of a mixed bag. It delivers the goods as far as image quality and feature set for the price are concerned. Not only does it offer a solid 12x optical zoom, image stabilized, wide-angle lens but its HD movie capabilities are quite robust for a compact camera, with plenty of creative options for your movies. That said, its sluggish speeds and meager battery life are serious lia..." - Feb 19 2011 More »	N/A
Trusted Reviews: "In terms of picture quality we were pleasantly surprised with the results we got from the SX130 IS. With colours veering toward warm straight out of the camera, images avoided looking too flat, even under dull, grey wintry skies. Inevitably when shooting handheld at maximum zoom we got our fair share of soft shots, and it became common sense/second nature to shoot two or three frames of every subject we attempted at..." - Feb 07 2011 More »
Photography BLOG: "The Canon PowerShot SX130 IS is a travel-zoom camera on a budget, offering enough features, performance and image quality to appeal to both beginners and serious photographers alike. It also addresses most of the concerns that we had about its predecessor and maintains an attractively competitive price, although the design is starting to look a little dated. Outwardly virtually identical to its year-old predece..." - Nov 12 2010 More »
CNET: "The SX130 takes excellent photos for its class, though like most compact cameras, it's at its best below ISO 200. At ISO 400 there's a noticeable increase in noise and softness from noise reduction. Fine details can still be seen at full size right up to ISO 1,600, making photos usable at smaller sizes. The increased noise at ISO 1,600 does, however, cause some faint yellow blotching. Colors produced by the SX1..." - Oct 30 2010 More »
ePhotoZine: "There's good and bad news on the lens front. First the bad news - the starting aperture at the wide angle end is a disappointing f/3.5. The good news is that after that, it's pretty much all good. Firstly, while there's obvious barrel distortion at the wide angle end, it's standard for a compact. However, at the other end of the telephoto, some 12x later, where you might expect issues, the results are surprisingly s..." - Oct 21 2010 More »
LetsGoDigital: "The Canon PowerShot SX130 IS is an attractively priced digital super zoom camera. You get a lot of camera in return, 12 Megapixels resolution and a completely stabilized 12x optical zoom lens. The specifications have not been spectacularly improved in comparison with its predecessor, but the Canon SX130 IS camera is more of an evolution than a revolution. High Definition video is now also supported, so that this cam..." - Oct 18 2010 More »
Camera Labs: "The Canon Powershot SX130 IS is an affordable compact super-zoom camera with 12 Megapixel resolution and a stabilised 12x optical range. Launched in September 2010 as a replacement for the popular PowerShot SX120 IS, it extends the zoom range along with adding 2 Megapixels, an HD movie mode and a selection of new scene modes. The PowerShot SX130 IS isn't as compact as the Sony Cyber-shot H55 or the Panasonic Lu..." - Sep 27 2010 More »
PhotoReview: "Our main gripe with the review camera was the viewing quality of the LCD monitor, which made scenes look flat and lacking in clarity. It proved very difficult to use in bright outdoor lighting and there was no viewfinder to overcome this problem so users are forced to 'point-and-guess'. Fortunately, these problems weren't reflected in test shots. Autofocusing wasn't particularly fast and a shutter lag of 0.45 second..." - Sep 21 2010 More »
infoSync: "Like many compacts in its class, the PowerShot SX 130 IS is saddled with a 1/2.3-inch 12-megapixel CCD, so low light was not one of the camera's strengths. We found it was best to keep the camera in Auto ISO because a slow shutter speed was all too common for battling reduced lux. In Program AE, the Canon PowerShot SX130 IS wanted to deploy its widest aperture and slowest shutter speeds if we brought the ISO do..." - Sep 19 2010 More »
Digital Camera Review: "Overall, the SX130's 12x zoom acquitted itself well. There is some barrel distortion at the wide end of the zoom, and a very slight amount of pincushion at telephoto. Edges and corners have some slight softening at wide angle; telephoto has similar softening on the corners but the edges look a bit sharper than wide angle. There is some chromic aberration present at both ends of the zoom, but the effect is fairly wel..." - Sep 17 2010 More »