Canon's New PowerShot SX200 IS

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=18329' target='_blank'>http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/c...4&modelid=18329</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Creating gorgeous images is more fun than ever with the sleek, impressively equipped PowerShot SX200 IS, elegantly designed in three new colors. Capture close-up, wide-angle shots with stunning 12x optical zoom. Experience the unprecedented image quality and point-and-shoot convenience of Smart AUTO, along with enhanced operability and an intuitive new menu. HD shooting at 1280 x 720 pixels with HDMI output lets you see all the beauty of your HD images and movies on your HDTV."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1235154187.usr1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>The stand-out features on the SX200 are the 12x optical zoom, the 720p video capture, and a big three inch screen. The lens also starts at a fairly wide 28mm, giving you decent wide-angle photos, and goes up to an impressive 336mm zoom. The biggest negative? As reader <em>bwaibel</em> <a href="http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/f305/powershot-sd970-hd-video-now-added-mix-92656.html" target="_blank">shared in another thread</a>, this camera uses a small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, which is quite a bit smaller than the 1/1.7 inch sensor that the SD 990 IS uses. It's frustrating that Canon puts buyers in the position of having to chose between image quality or zoom/720p video. I wonder why they couldn't use the bigger sensor? The SX1200 is expected to be available in March for an MSRP of $349.99 USD.</p>

[humayunl]

I'm pretty certain my next camera will be either this or the 970. The 970 seems to be more stylish plus it has the pure color II LCD but the SX200 has 28mm wide-angle and a 12X zoom which to me makes it considerably more attractive over the 970.

My question is, why would anyone (including you Jason) consider the 970 over the sx-200? Its looks and LCD over 12X zoom and 28mm wide angle so the decsion seems somewhat obvious to me (i.e. sx-200).

I missing something about the 970 which makes it a better choice?

Also, can anyone tell me how the recently announced Lumix FX-580 compares to the SD 970/sx-200 (not spec wise, that is the easy part :) but in terms of personal experience and overall ease of use/quality. I know both these models are not out yet so I am referring to lumix experience VS Canon experience (maybe fx-500 VS sd870).

[Jason Dunn]

My question is, why would anyone (including you Jason) consider the 970 over the sx-200? Its looks and LCD over 12X zoom and 28mm wide angle so the decsion seems somewhat obvious to me (i.e. sx-200).

Simple: size. The sx200 looks like it might be kind of big - the Panasonic Lumix I have isn't very pocketable. That's the only reason I'd prefer the 970.

I know both these models are not out yet so I am referring to lumix experience VS Canon experience (maybe fx-500 VS sd870).

The Pansonic Lumix that I have compares favourably to the Canon. It's maybe not quite as polished, and of course I had to re-learn the UI a bit, but it's pretty good - no real complaints about it.

[humayunl]

Simple: size. The sx200 looks like it might be kind of big - the Panasonic Lumix I have isn't very pocketable. That's the only reason I'd prefer the 970.

The Pansonic Lumix that I have compares favourably to the Canon. It's maybe not quite as polished, and of course I had to re-learn the UI a bit, but it's pretty good - no real complaints about it.

Well you're right about the size... I agree the SX-200 is rather big.

Over the weekend, I've been reading up on (dpreview forums) the new Lumix ZS3 (TZ7). The final verdict will come only after actual units are in your hand (or some reviews are) but it looks like a worthy (inmost cases better) competitor to the Canons. Ahead in terms of specs all over the place.

I can't give up on IQ so if the new Lumix has improved in terms of IQ and the gap between that and Canon is minimum, I think I might go with the TZ7.