DCRP Reviews the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_sx200-review/index.shtml' target='_blank'>http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/c...iew/index.shtml</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"The Canon PowerShot SX200 IS ($349) is a compact ultra zoom camera with a 12X wide-angle zoom lens, image stabilization, full manual controls, HD video recording, and a 3-inch LCD display. That sounds an awful lot like Panasonic's ultra-popular Lumix DMC-TZ5 -- easily the best camera in this class in 2008 -- though that camera is soon to be replaced with the even more impressive DMC-ZS3 (also known as the TZ7). Regardless, the SX200 is a pretty nice step-up from the SX110 that came before it. Some other features of note include a "Smart Auto" (scene detection) mode, face and blink detection, automatic redeye removal, and an HDMI port. Is the PowerShot SX200 a good choice for a go-anywhere ultra zoom camera? Find out now in our review!"</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1237394736.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Wow, I wasn't expecting a review of this camera quite so soon! Jeff Keller got his hands on this new point and shoot camera from Canon and puts it through its paces. Boasting 12x optical zoom, 12.1 megapixels, and 720p video recording using h.264. This a very thorough review and revealed a show-stopping weakness in this camera: the optical zoom doesn't work when you're shooting a video! I'm amazined that Canon couldn't make that work (or chose not to) because my Panasonic LUMIX can accomplish that. It's also a bit bizarre that the flash pops up when you turn on the camera, regardless of whether or not it needs to fire it, and won't go back down until you turn off the power. Still, it might be a good choice for some people - but be sure to consider the <a href="http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=1309" target="_blank">Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS3</a> as an option.</p>

[ptyork]

There are some really exciting cameras coming out these days and this obviously ain't one of them. Canon is really slouching--resting on their laurels, I suppose. I've been a Canon person for years and always have recommended their P&S cameras. However, now I'm convinced that newbie Panasonic is producing the most exciting cameras. I think I'm even going to be getting a G-series (HD) to replace my old Canon DSLR. Sure, the 5D-MKII is quite amazing, but Nikon's D700 is almost as good (sans the movie mode, which is a bit gimmicky in this particular camera--movie mode NEEDS a good contrast detect af system, which is one of the reasons I'm so intrigued by the Lumix G).

Anyway, back on topic, this camera just seems like a lazy effort at best. What a shame.

[Jason Dunn]

Anyway, back on topic, this camera just seems like a lazy effort at best. What a shame.

Yeah, I have to agree...it seems like it *could* have been a great camera, but Canon really cut some corners with it. Shame. :(

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

It seems decent enough. I'm glad DCRP managed to get a review out early; always have appreciated Jeff's reviews. They may not be as detailed as DPReview's but they're far easier to digest for everyone else.

I am eagerly waiting for the GH1 myself. Micro 4/3's short flange distance means it's going to just take about any lens with the right adapter. This should be interesting!

[Jason Dunn]

It seems decent enough. I'm glad DCRP managed to get a review out early; always have appreciated Jeff's reviews. They may not be as detailed as DPReview's but they're far easier to digest for everyone else.

If I'm dropping $2000 on a DSLR, I want the incredible detail of a dpreview.com review. For point and shoot cameras under $500, DCRP reviews do the trick. :D