Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
Canon - PowerShot 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera - Black
Average customer rating
4.5
(219 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 219 reviews
5 Stars
145
4 Stars
46
3 Stars
16
2 Stars
9
1 Star
3
87%of customers recommend this product.
(
191 out of
219)
Customer Reviews for Canon - PowerShot 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera - Black
Customer Rating
4
Very Nice Camera/Camcorder
on May 25, 2010
Posted by: txn999
from Texas
I bought this to replace Canon Powershot A630 point-and-shoot which didn't have Image Stabilization and the indoor picture quality was unacceptably soft 50% of the times.
This SX20 IS definitely fixed the 2 problems I had with the A630.
On SX20 IS, pictures were rock solid thanks to Optical IS and indoor picture were no longer unacceptable.
I set the dial to P (not Auto) and resolution to 8 Megapixels and use the default for everything else. I am happy with the result.
This SX20 IS definitely fixed the 2 problems I had with the A630.
On SX20 IS, pictures were rock solid thanks to Optical IS and indoor picture were no longer unacceptable.
I set the dial to P (not Auto) and resolution to 8 Megapixels and use the default for everything else. I am happy with the result.
I didn't buy this SX20IS for the HD video feature, but I was pleasantly surprized at how good the video quality was and how easy it was to record video.
Simply press the video button to record video anytime. No need to turn any dial. Wow, very convenient.
The video quality was definitely 720p, sharp and nice color when play through the HDMI port.
While the video was being recorded, I could press the photo button to snap a picture. Very convenient.
But there was a downside (explained in the manual).
If I snapped a picture while video was being recorded, the video would be interrupted by a very brief black screen. On playback, you would see see the blackscreen. I guess I could edit out the blackscreen to make video seamless.
Simply press the video button to record video anytime. No need to turn any dial. Wow, very convenient.
The video quality was definitely 720p, sharp and nice color when play through the HDMI port.
While the video was being recorded, I could press the photo button to snap a picture. Very convenient.
But there was a downside (explained in the manual).
If I snapped a picture while video was being recorded, the video would be interrupted by a very brief black screen. On playback, you would see see the blackscreen. I guess I could edit out the blackscreen to make video seamless.
The built-in flash was nothing to brag about. I try to avoid using the built-in flash unless the camera's shutter speed became too slow to overcome vibrations.
Overall, I am very satisfied with the SX20 IS.
It's a big step up from simple point-and-shoot cameras and well worth the price.
It's a big step up from simple point-and-shoot cameras and well worth the price.
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
Cons: Heavy/Bulky
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
all in one camera
on May 26, 2010
Posted by: gadget
The camera does a great job in most areas, the area I find an issue is focusing. Sometimes it won't focus properly. The zoom is great and so is the movie quality.
I wish a pocket size instruction book was available.
I had to print it out cut it down and put it in a binder.
The flash does a nice job. When the camera does focus properly the picture quality is great.
I wish a pocket size instruction book was available.
I had to print it out cut it down and put it in a binder.
The flash does a nice job. When the camera does focus properly the picture quality is great.
I would appreciate some assistance from Canon on the focusing issue.
Pros: Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable, easy to use
Cons: focusing difficult
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
I love this camera!
on November 9, 2009
Posted by: Photo girl
from Texas
I have a DSLR and love it, but I also needed something I could use on the go quickly.
I have the Canon SX100 but wanted something with more zoom. I did research and found the Canon SX20. I am extremely pleased with the SX20. It takes awesome pictures with a minimum of effort. Take the time to print out the full manual, it is very helpful.
I have seen some reviews complaining about low light conditions, read the manual and play with the settings and you can get great low light shots.
Pros: easy to use, Simple controls/menu, Nice features/settings, Bright LCD, excellent image quality, Good Low-Light Performance, Lightweight/Portable, good battery life, durable
Cons: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great Camera!
on December 1, 2009
Posted by: BCMD
from Torrance, CA
Am just a budding photography enthusiast who loves to travel and this camera was just perfect. At first I wanted a DSLR but they seemed too bulky to bring around and more difficult to shoot especially when I need to take quick shots with lots of zoom-ins. Traveling and moving around makes me more of a point and shoot person, so this camera really fits me well. Just a little on the downside are the slightly grainy or noisy images at higher ISOs but bearable (am actually not realistic on this because am comparing images from a high-end DSLR) and lack of detail in the instruction manual, but the longer am using the camera (its been almost 2 months now since purchase) the more am discovering what it can do and am amazed. Haven't fully appreciated its HD movie mode yet, but can't wait until the opportnity comes. It could still be better but at the price it's a good deal.
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great camera for great price
on September 19, 2009
Posted by: DACG
It does capture video very nicely. One con about it is that it doesn't focus very nicely on Auto mode, but you can change that in the Program or Manual modes.
Pros: easy to use, Simple controls/menu, Nice features/settings, Bright LCD, excellent image quality, Lightweight/Portable, good battery life, durable
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Great value for the price
on May 4, 2010
Posted by: MOJO
from New Jersey
Time had come for me to upgrade from my canon I570 which had served me well for 3 years. I wanted to have a longer focal lens with a little wide angle thrown in. I wanted Hi Def videos with stereo microphones. I wanted the power provided by AA batteries. The ability to shoot quality images was also important. I do not generally shoot in auto mode as experience has taught me I will get better results with the other options available. The SX20IS was the best fit for what I was looking for.
So far I am pleased with it. Do take time to study the full manual, it comes on a downloadable disk with the camera. It is most informative and useful.
So far I am pleased with it. Do take time to study the full manual, it comes on a downloadable disk with the camera. It is most informative and useful.
Pros: good battery life, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
Cons: Heavy/Bulky
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Happy with this one
on October 6, 2009
Posted by: smiling
from New England
Great for Action shots - can freeze a drop of water in an ocean wave. So for sports action shots this is the best! Love the zoom and stability. It is a heavy and bulky making it more akward to use but worth it when you get the resuts. The "butttons" are in a place which can get hit by accident as you use the camera, thiswill change as one gets used to it. The auto focus through the viewfinder is way off - it feels like you need glasses - so you need to open the larger viewfinder to see what you are taking. Can't beat the price for what you get!
Pros: easy to use, excellent image quality, good battery life, great for action shots
Cons: Heavy/Bulky, focus on auto is blurry
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great Camera
on December 9, 2009
Posted by: Nan
from Florida
I've used this camera for the past month and love it. The features on it are excellent. The zoom works wonderfully well and the sport setting is fabulous.
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com