Canon PowerShot SX200IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-inch LCD (Blue) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been a Canon shooter for many years, both DSLRs and point and shoots. I own a Canon G7 for personal use and have been extremely happy with it, but I am tired of having to add attachments for wide angle and telephoto photography. I also wanted a camera that is small enough to put in a jacket or shirt pocket easily. I decided that of the cameras currently on the market, either the Panasonic Lumix ZS3 or Canon SX200 seemed to be what I was looking for. I researched the product thoroughly and chose the Lumix ZS3 based on multiple reviews that gave that camera the nod over the SX200. (Specifications-wise, these cameras are near twins.)

After several days of testing the ZS3 I was unhappy with it. The camera had poor low-light performance, a weak flash, and bad color balance and contrast. (See my review of that camera on its Amazon product page.) I returned it and bought an SX200. This camera is a gem. The quality of the photos are what I was expecting from a camera in this price range (better given how much cheaper it is than a ZS3). The zoom is very fast which allows you to focus on the action quickly and get the shot you are looking for. (The zoom on the ZS3 is slow in comparison.)

The camera performs well in low light--much better than the ZS3. There is very little noise and Canon's optical stabilization allows for lower ISO and shutter speeds. The SX200 has a powerful flash that illuminates the subject very well and at a good distance. I am sure part of the reason for this is the much maligned pop-flash, as this helps the flash clear the large lens barrel. Also, the fact the flash pops up when not in use is something that I barely notice. (Sure, it would be nice if it didn't.) The overall quality in low light will not compare to a DSLR, but that is to be expected.

I will say that, like my G7, this camera seems to struggle a little in very bright outdoor conditions. Specifically, highlights have a tendency to get blown out if you are not careful. Even when using the exposure compensation this can still be problematic. However, the day has to be VERY bright for this to be a problem. Also, this is where Canon's variety of shooting modes helps, as using the Shutter Priority mode has helped me in this situation to get good results.

The build quality of this camera is excellent. The physical controls are very well-done, and the on-camera software is first rate and much better than the ZS3. The Canon software is not only easier to use and has more controls, but it just looks better with excellent fonts and translucent menus.

The color saturation and white balance are excellent, and the different shooting modes (program mode, aperture mode, manual, etc.) give the photographer a wide range of options that are not available on the ZS3. I use these modes probably more than half the time.

I almost gave the camera four stars on the account of it not having optical zoom in video, but at this price point and given all the other excellent features of the camera (wide angle, 12x zoom, excellent software, etc.) I don't think that would be fair. The HD video is of excellent quality, though I have to give the nod to the ZS3 on the video overall.

The only other negatives are the door to access the data ports, which has a flimsy plastic hinge, and the lack of a "super fine" quality mode for the jpegs like they had on my G7. (I really wish they would include RAW, but I know they reserve that for their high-end cameras.)

Summary:

Pros:
Excellent physical quality
Excellent on-camera software
Good low light performance
Powerful flash
Good HD video
Excellent color balance and contrast
Variety of shooting modes and manual controls

Cons:
No optical zoom in video
Flimsy hinge on the data ports door
Lack of super fine quality mode
Tendency for overexposure in highlights on very bright days

Overall, an excellent buy especially for the price.

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Product Description:
Picture the fun you'll have with Canon's SX200IS digital camera. It's equipped with an impressive array of automatic photo-taking features, including a stunning, wide-angle 12X optical zoom and HD movie capture. One-year warranty. Model SX200IS.

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