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
5
Good Choice
on November 12, 2009
Posted by: BC
from Philadelphia, PA
I received this camera the day I left for a trip to Disney World. The trip gave me an opportunity to try the camera quickly. Since then I've used it on a number of occasions and I'm happy with the results.
The outstanding features of this camera are the zoom and the HD video. I have three DSLRs and use them frequently. However, carrying the lenses and supporting equipment can be cumbersome. None allow video. The SX20 IS gives a ton a features in one package.
I took photos of a stage show at Disney. The wide angle shot showed the characters but they were a distance away. I zoomed in fully and was able to isolate one character (Minnie Mouse) and could clearly see the sequins on the costume.
I've recently had opportunities to use the video and they have all been excellent. Being able to use the zoom while recording and taking a still photo at the same time is a real plus. Be aware that taking the photo results in a shutter noise and a black spot in the video. My biggest problem was remembering I had video capability. I missed several opportunities because I've been shooting stills for so long I forget about the video.
Some suggestions. Learn the camera features. While auto is okay I've had better results with program and priority modes. Also, be ready to accept a bit of noise in the photos. I've taken shots with the SX20 IS and the Digital Rebel XSi side by side. When reviewing the photos critically the DSLR had better quality. However, the SX20 photos were certainly acceptable for my uses.
When storing the camera make use of the articulating screen and store it with the screen against the camera. I forgot about this feature and placed the camera in a back pack with other items. There are now several minor scratches on the screen. It's my fault and it could have been avoided.
Also, research rechargeable batteries. I've tried several brands of NiMH batteries and the results vary widely. The top name brands did not necessarily give the best persormance. I've recently read about the Nickle Zinc battereis and sent an inquiry to Canon. The advised against them at this time.
Oh yeah, get a large memory card. I have two 8GB cards and I think they are adequate. I'm seriously considering adding a 16GB. They're not that expensive.
I have one minor gripe. The camera comes with a lens hood, certainly a good feature. However, when you are shooting wide angle the endges of the hood appear in the photo. It's very annoying. I would have thought the hood would have been designed with the range of the lens in mind.
I hope you enjoy this camera as much as I do.
Pros: Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable, easy to use, hd video, articulating screen
Cons: lens hood at wide angle.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Best camera shy of an SLR
on September 19, 2009
Posted by: Michael G.
from Maui, Hawaii
I reviewed the PowerShot SX200 IS a short while ago and rated it very highly. Nonetheless, I decided to return it in exchange for the PowerShot SX 20 IS.
This camera offers the following additional advantages: a viewfinder; HD video recording with optical zoom throughout the zoom range plus stereo sound; a form factor much more like that of an SLR: it is on the heavy side, but easy to hold and the viewfinder allows you to hold the camera against your body which adds extra stability, and thus better focus, especially when zooming in; Diapter adjustability means I don't have to wear glasses when using the EVF; the LCD display can be closed so it faces the camera - no need to worry about smudging or scratching it.
Those who are considering the purchase of an SLR need to keep in mind that you'll need at least three different lenses to get a comparable zoom range. You'd be lugging around quite a bit of weight, and faced with the delay in changing lenses depending upon what you want to take a picture of.
Some question the quality of the pictures it takes. Keep in mind that this is not a camera designed for amateurs who insist on fully automatic features. In other words, excellent pictures will often be obtained when you make needed adjustments ranging from setting the scene yourself to fully manual.
I highly recommend the camera for those who are looking for the characteristics I have highlighted.
Pros: Simple controls/menu, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable
Cons: Heavy/Bulky
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Does What I Expect it to Do
on October 28, 2009
Posted by: cvclick
I've been a pro photographer for 30+ years and while I have very high end DSLRs for work, I wanted something for home that was sophisticated enough for my tastes, but auto enough for my wife to use.
I started with the SX3 IS and liked that one, so I recently bought the SX20 IS.
Using top end DSLRs, I knew this camera would have some short comings and was as best a very good compromise, which was what I wanted.
I wish every camera had the pivoting screen.
The close macro is excellent.
I use the SX3's wide angle accessory lens attachment and do wish Canon had kept that availability for the SX20. Its my only real complaint. The long lens reach is nice, but I still like and need the wide end.
It isn't a $5000 camera and I don't expect it to be. It has lots of good features, plus the ability to turn most of them off for getting back to basics.
Its a fun camera to use.
I started with the SX3 IS and liked that one, so I recently bought the SX20 IS.
Using top end DSLRs, I knew this camera would have some short comings and was as best a very good compromise, which was what I wanted.
I wish every camera had the pivoting screen.
The close macro is excellent.
I use the SX3's wide angle accessory lens attachment and do wish Canon had kept that availability for the SX20. Its my only real complaint. The long lens reach is nice, but I still like and need the wide end.
It isn't a $5000 camera and I don't expect it to be. It has lots of good features, plus the ability to turn most of them off for getting back to basics.
Its a fun camera to use.
Pros: easy to use, Nice features/settings, Lightweight/Portable
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
An incredible value
on November 19, 2009
Posted by: Lightspeed
from San Diego, Ca
I owned a Powershot A80 for 5 years, (owned a Rebel SLR before that). It required repair once, but I was very happy with it. It recently developed problems so time to upgrade. I don't really need a DSLR but wanted something better than the small Powershots. This camera does it. Great pictures, features and ease of use. Since I was familiar with my previous Powershot it did make maneuvering a lot easier but if you take the time to read the manual (which is on the CD) it does a good job.
One thing I loved about my old camera was the flip out LCD and I am VERY happy this one has it. Another reason I bought this model. Having 4 batteries does make it heavier but I am fine with that in exchange for the longer shooting time.
I didn't think I would use the "movie" part of it but I am very impressed. I'm a professional videographer so I thought this part would be a toy but it takes great video considering its size. 20 min of HD or 45 min SD on a 4GB chip. Canon supplies its own software but being on a Mac I wanted to use iPhoto. No problem, imports fine and plays using Quicktime. This is a lot of camera for the money. Keep in mind its not one of those small cameras, much more like a SLR and my old chip reader would not read the new HC chips. Bought an iogear reader and problem solved plus faster transfer times.
If you need RAW files this camera doesn't do them but if you want high quality without the big price jump to a DSLR this is a great camera.
Pros: easy to use, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, good battery life
Cons: Poor Low-Light Performance
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
A good reason NOT to by a DSLR
on March 9, 2010
Posted by: hal9600
from El Cajon, California
After losing my travel camera to a burglar, I decided to look at lower end DLSRs to replace it, until I came across the SX20. This is an excellent camera for those who are tired of the tiny point & shoot cameras, but who don’t need (or want) the complexity (or cost) of a DSLR.
The camera has an impressive optical zoom – going from 28mm to 560mm (35mm equivalent), built in image stabilization, and a nice 12.1 meg. resolution that allows portrait sized photos, or cropping without losing clarity.
It also has some nice internal tricks such as being able to adjust color balance to compensate for shooting indoors without a flash (no more yellow photos), enhancing blue sky for outdoor photos, or shooting in black/white or sepia. Currently the camera only saves in JPG format, not RAW.
Another great feature is being able to zoom in and out while using the video mode, and being able to take photos while you are recording a video.
But the feature I am enjoying the most is the swivel LCD screen. You can fold it up against the body to protect it when it is in the camera case, or when you are using the viewfinder. When the screen is open to the side, you can rotate it so you can put the camera very low to the ground or high up in the air (like when you are shooting above a crowd), or you can rotate it 180 and take photos of yourself and a friend or two.
The camera uses a SD memory card and 4 AA batteries, both of which are easy to find while you are on vacation so you don’t have to miss a shot because you forgot to charge a battery pack (happened to me in London).
The only thing that I have issue with, and the ONLY reason I didn’t give 5 stars is that the camera cannot accept a screw on filter even though it is 52mm diameter lens.
Other than that one issue, this is an excellent camera and I look forward to taking it to England next year.
The camera has an impressive optical zoom – going from 28mm to 560mm (35mm equivalent), built in image stabilization, and a nice 12.1 meg. resolution that allows portrait sized photos, or cropping without losing clarity.
It also has some nice internal tricks such as being able to adjust color balance to compensate for shooting indoors without a flash (no more yellow photos), enhancing blue sky for outdoor photos, or shooting in black/white or sepia. Currently the camera only saves in JPG format, not RAW.
Another great feature is being able to zoom in and out while using the video mode, and being able to take photos while you are recording a video.
But the feature I am enjoying the most is the swivel LCD screen. You can fold it up against the body to protect it when it is in the camera case, or when you are using the viewfinder. When the screen is open to the side, you can rotate it so you can put the camera very low to the ground or high up in the air (like when you are shooting above a crowd), or you can rotate it 180 and take photos of yourself and a friend or two.
The camera uses a SD memory card and 4 AA batteries, both of which are easy to find while you are on vacation so you don’t have to miss a shot because you forgot to charge a battery pack (happened to me in London).
The only thing that I have issue with, and the ONLY reason I didn’t give 5 stars is that the camera cannot accept a screw on filter even though it is 52mm diameter lens.
Other than that one issue, this is an excellent camera and I look forward to taking it to England next year.
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, Bright LCD, easy to use, that fabulous swivel screen, uses aa batteries, can use a speedlight flash
Cons: not threaded for a filter
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Performance & Price = Value
on December 27, 2009
Posted by: Mr. Remark
from Macclenny, FL
I bought this camera as my Christmas present from my wife. It is my third Canon. My other two (the Powershot A610 and Powershot SD1000) are terrific; so I decided on this Canon over my second choice, which most review sites compare it. After practicing with most of the features, I used it for three days and nights at Disney World. The Auto Mode works as good as any; and using the Scene Mode set to ISO 3200 for night shots without a flash was great. The stabilization really helped capture those night scenes. Following are my thoughts about the Canon Powershot SX20IS.
PROS
1) Fast auto focus to capture to write speed for a mega zoom camera.
2) Two speed zoom.
3) Able to zoom while recording video. HD is excellent. Separate Movie button is handy.
4) AA batteries. The Digic 4 helps prolong battery usage.
5) Great Menu and Function systems.
6) Good lens shade design.
7) Diopter adjustment is smooth and easy to use.
8) Articulating LCD. Good for self-portraits, shooting behind the back, overhead, or foot level.
9) Review button can function as a power button to view captured shots/videos without the lens being extended.
2) Two speed zoom.
3) Able to zoom while recording video. HD is excellent. Separate Movie button is handy.
4) AA batteries. The Digic 4 helps prolong battery usage.
5) Great Menu and Function systems.
6) Good lens shade design.
7) Diopter adjustment is smooth and easy to use.
8) Articulating LCD. Good for self-portraits, shooting behind the back, overhead, or foot level.
9) Review button can function as a power button to view captured shots/videos without the lens being extended.
CONS
1) No rubber grip around battery holder.
2) No tether on lens cap. Cap does stay on lens barrel. I never had it dislodged when putting the camera in or taking it out of my camera bag. A big problem with some camera lens caps.
3) No separate LCD/EVF button.
4) DISP button should list four view options.
5) Indicator lamp should be positioned next to the Short Cut Button.
6) Camera is heavy, but its weight is distributed well.
2) No tether on lens cap. Cap does stay on lens barrel. I never had it dislodged when putting the camera in or taking it out of my camera bag. A big problem with some camera lens caps.
3) No separate LCD/EVF button.
4) DISP button should list four view options.
5) Indicator lamp should be positioned next to the Short Cut Button.
6) Camera is heavy, but its weight is distributed well.
CONCLUSION
The main question is: Would I purchase this camera again? Definitely YES. Even though I listed six negatives, only #6 is really a problem; especially if you have been using a compact camera. The first five CONS should be considered by Canon for their next model. While on the Jungle Cruise at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, I had to shoot with the camera pointed away from me. Not a problem since I could swivel the LCD for the view before I took the shot. This was a great feature of the A610. Too bad Canon decided to abandon it from its current A series. If you are an occasional photo shooter, then alkaline batteries will suffice. Otherwise, get rechargeable NiMH batteries with a charger that can charge 1-4 batteries individually, has a battery discharge feature, and has individual LCD strength indicators for each battery. Make sure the charger has the AC prongs attached that fold into the back of the charger.
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD, Simple controls/menu
Cons: Missing features/settings, Heavy/Bulky
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Almost perfect
on January 27, 2010
Posted by: G2 fan
from Las Vegas, NV
As an experienced photographer I do enjoy the SX20 IS, especially for family events and travel when the 7D and lens case are just too big. There is some purple fringing at the pixel level, but over all it is nice image quality for jpeg. The one thing I miss is the ability to hold filters. Any camera with that expensive of lens should be threaded for filters. I recently spent a day at Bryce Canyon national park and really missed using a polarizing filter. The S2 IS was threaded, so I don't understand that oversight on the SX20.
This is a very fun camera with an amazing lens. RAW capture with 14 bit A/D conversion and filter threads would make it just about perfect. Also, the ability to use a Canon Speedlight flash is a huge plus.
This is a very fun camera with an amazing lens. RAW capture with 14 bit A/D conversion and filter threads would make it just about perfect. Also, the ability to use a Canon Speedlight flash is a huge plus.
Pros: good battery life, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, easy to use, hot shoe
Cons: no filter threads
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Excellent Point and Shoot
on July 5, 2010
Posted by: MamaG
from Southern IL
I am pro shooter who wanted a small easily packable camera vs the 20 pounds of gear that I routinely have strapped to my back. I'm often in dense forest and brush "bushwhacking" and it simply is not always feasible to drag all the gear along.
After seeing a fellow photojournalist use this on a recent press tour I was impressed. This does super job and while I didn't expect the same image quality out of it as my 5D I was pleasantly surprised by how well it actually performs.
The biggest complaint I have is the inability to shoot RAW with this camera - I am sincerely hoping that down the road Canon will release some firmware that will make that possible.
I've been a Canon Devotee for 30 years and still use my first A1! This is another example of fine canon product.
After seeing a fellow photojournalist use this on a recent press tour I was impressed. This does super job and while I didn't expect the same image quality out of it as my 5D I was pleasantly surprised by how well it actually performs.
The biggest complaint I have is the inability to shoot RAW with this camera - I am sincerely hoping that down the road Canon will release some firmware that will make that possible.
I've been a Canon Devotee for 30 years and still use my first A1! This is another example of fine canon product.
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
Cons: no raw file support
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com