Product Description
When a camera puts a smile on your face the moment you hold it,
imagine how great you'll feel when you see your first pictures! The
PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH has everything going for it -
exuberant color, the sculptured style of Canon's famed ELPH series -
and the innovative know-how that takes you to a whole new level of
picture-taking accomplishment. Plus, you've got an advanced DIGIC 4
Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology and the Face
Detection Self-timer for extraordinary control and performance. This
technology finds and tracks the faces of moving subjects until you're
ready to shoot, then delivers perfect focus. In addition, exposure,
flash and white balance are compensated, so that faces exhibit natural
skin tones and backgrounds are properly exposed. Just set the Canon
PowerShot SD1200 IS to Smart AUTO and you're ready for maximum
enjoyment from your picture-taking every time. It's a relaxing and
satisfying way to shoot because you can completely concentrate on your
subject knowing that the camera has the technical details covered. So
whether you're photographing flowers, a captivating sunset, or your
friends at the park, you can be confident that you're getting dramatic,
memorable images. Focal Length - 6.2-18.6mm f/2.8-4.9 (35mm film
equivalent - 35-105mm) LCD Monitor - 2.5-inch TFT color LCD, Approx.
230,000 pixels ISO Sensitivity - Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600
equivalent Continuous Shooting - Approx. 1.4 fps Storage Media -
SD/SDHC Memory Card, Multimedia Card, MMC Plus Card, HC MMC Plus Card
Number of Recording Pixels - Still Image - up to 3648 x 2736 (Large);
Movie - Standard Definition - up to 640 x 480 (30 fps) Video Output -
NTSC/PAL Dimensions - 3.48 (W) x 2.16 (H) x 0.86 (D) Weight - 4.23
ounces
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #5 in Camera & Photo
- Color: Dark Gray
- Brand: Canon
- Model: SD1200IS Dark Gray
- Dimensions: 2.20" h x
.90" w x
3.50" l,
.26 pounds
- Display size: 2.5
Features
- 10.0-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for prints up to 13 x 19 inches
- 3x optical zoom; 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II screen
- DIGIC 4 Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology; Face Detection Self-timer
- Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings
- Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)
Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
When a camera puts a smile on your face the moment you hold it,
imagine how great you’ll feel when you see your first pictures! The
PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH has everything going for it--exuberant
color, the sculptured style of Canon’s famed ELPH series--and the
innovative know-how that takes you to a whole new level of
picture-taking accomplishment. Fun, smart and a style that follows you
everywhere.
PowerShot SD1200 IS Highlights
10.0-megapixel resolution makes it a breeze to print large size images
With the PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH, dramatic, personal pictures
have never been easier to shoot and share. This 10.0-megapixel camera
lets you create impressive, large photos of family and friends you’ll
be proud display. The high-resolution images taken by the SD1200 IS
Digital ELPH can be enlarged up to 13 x 19 inches.
The
PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH is equipped with Canon’s acclaimed
Optical Image Stabilizer Technology that automatically detects and
corrects camera shake--one of the leading causes of fuzzy or blurred
shots. Even when zoomed in, you can get the steady, crisp, brilliant
images you’ll be proud to shoot and share. And Canon’s Optical Image
Stabilizer Technology is so convenient to use. It functions perfectly
with or without a flash.
Large, crisp 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II and wide viewing angle
The PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH gives you a large 2.5-inch LCD
screen for excellent control when framing your shots. Canon’s PureColor
LCD II offers spectacular color, resolution and contrast even when
viewed at an angle. The screen is highly durable and easy to see in any
light with a scratch-resistant, anti-reflective coating. It also
features Night Display for easy viewing in low light--a perfect feature
for gathering friends and family around to see your images.
Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings
Just set the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH to Smart AUTO and
you’re ready for maximum enjoyment from your picture taking every time.
It’s a relaxing and satisfying way to shoot because you can completely
concentrate on your subject knowing that the camera has the technical
details covered. Advanced Canon technology intelligently analyzes your
situation and shooting conditions. Then it automatically selects an
appropriate setting from 18 specially defined settings. So whether
you’re photographing flowers, a captivating sunset, or your friends at
the park, you can be confident that you’re getting dramatic, memorable
images.
Shooting Modes
Advanced presets
for the best possible photos under certain conditions. With 17 Shooting
Modes, you’re ready for whatever shot comes your way.
A World of Advantages with Canon’s Technology
The DIGIC 4 Image Processor has evolved Face Detection Technology that
tracks the faces of moving subjects and lets the shooter enter the
frame seamlessly with the Face Detection Self-Timer.
DIGIC 4 Image Processor
Canon’s most advanced image processor, DIGIC 4, delivers evolved Face
Detection Technology that keeps every face in every photo looking its
very best. The technology finds and tracks the faces of moving subjects
until you’re ready to shoot, then delivers perfect focus. In addition,
exposure, flash and white balance are compensated, so that faces
exhibit natural skin tones and backgrounds are properly exposed.
iSAPS Technology
is an entirely original scene-recognition technology developed for
digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of
different photos, iSAPS works with the advanced DIGIC 4 Image Processor
to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white
balance.
A
Face Detection Self-Timer
automatically detects an increase in the number of faces and makes the
appropriate adjustments. For instance, to include the photographer’s
face in a group shot, there’s no need to rush in. Just put the camera
on a stand or tripod, specify Face Detection Self-Timer, and the camera
will wait for the photographer’s face to get on-camera before it takes
the shot. Motion Detection tracks moving subjects in a much larger
range--allowing you to wait for the perfect shot without refocusing.
Intelligent Contrast Correction
DIGIC 4 also makes possible the i-Contrast (Intelligent Contrast
Correction) system, which controls the compensation level in pixel
units to brighten dark areas while leaving bright areas unchanged for
better images where the main subject is dark, and more natural
transition. The PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH can even use
i-Contrast in playback mode to adjust images that were shot without the
setting activated.
Red-eye Correction
provides three options for removing red-eye from subjects in flash
pictures. 1) Red-eye Correction during shooting actually identifies and
corrects red-eye in human subjects as pictures are taken. 2) The
PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH can be set to automatically detect and
correct red-eye during image playback. 3) You can manually locate any
red eyes in a scene during image playback on the LCD screen, and
command the camera to remove them.
Life doesn’t give you second chances to capture special times. That’s
why the PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH features an ISO 1600 setting
that reduces the effects of camera shake and sharpens subjects in
low-light situations, giving you greater shooting flexibility. ISO can
be expanded to 3200 when you select ISO 3200 Special Scene mode.
What's in the Box
- PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH body
- Lithium-ion battery pack (NB-6L)
- Battery charger (CB-2LY)
- Wrist strap (WS-DC7)
- Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
- USB interface cable (IFC-400PCU)
- AV cable (AVC-DC400)
Customer Reviews
great little cam, some improvements from earlier powershots, some quirks
The SD1200 has some big changes over its predecessor SD1100, and is the smallest, best designed Elph I've used thus far.
I've owned many models of Elph, this is my 6th or 7th, so my review
is aimed especially at other serial Canon owners. I mostly compare the
SD1200 to the SD1100.
* The big changes: Digic4 and a larger CCD sensor. The slight
increase in CCD size (1/2.3" vs 1/2.5") should make for "cleaner"
photos. And Digic4 promises faster/cleaner shots also.
* You get 10MP vs 8MP on the SD1100, and "medium" (M1) size is now 6MP. JPG quality is down to 2 setting: Fine or Normal.
* SD1200 is only slightly smaller than the SD1100, but feels
notably smaller by virtue of curved edges and the LCD being flush with
the body (no bump-out).
* The 1200 now feels as small as this design can shrink. Good news:
my average-sized male hands can still comfortably hold it, barely not
covering lens, flash, or resting on the LCD. But the round power-button
is now almost too small to press if you had big fingers and no
fingernails.
* 1200's new battery is a higher capacity 1000mAh (vs ~760mAh for
SD1100). There's also a new charger (not compatible with the old
batteries), a glossy white-colored model to blend into your wall.
* The buttons and menus are streamlined. There's now a button for
review mode, pressing it a 2nd time takes you back to the previous
state. Handy. The slider has dedicated AUTO and Manual settings, no
longer need to use menus for that switch.
* Continuous mode and ISO now are in the Function Menu (on the SD1100, they had dedicated buttons).
* A SD card is no longer included. This makes sense to me, a 32MB
card is barely useful, and with the downward pressure on electronics
prices, I can't imagine Canon wanting to bundle a more expensive/bigger
card. Some people will find this lack annoying.
* The A/V output is gone, and the USB connector now serves both purposes (both kinds of included cables now have a USB-end)
* A new version of Canon software is required for this model,
Zoombrowser 6.3. Canon typically requires a new release for each new
family/season of cameras. Unfortunately, the CameraWindow software has
been intentionally dumbed-down in the 6.x software and no longer offers
the options to delete your photos (have to go through the OS), nor to
chose custom naming for the downloads. I say intentionally, since I
asked Canon customer-support about it and they stated the changes were
not bugs. The last Canon software to still have that functionality was
5.x, corresponding to the SD1000 and other cameras released that
season.
* In casual indoor tests, the 1200 seemed more ready to go to
ISO400 (often too "noisy" to be useful) when the SD1100 would have
chosen ISO200.
* The SD1200 and SD1100 have identical specs on their optics.
However, I noticed a more pronounced barrel-distortion on the 1200 at
extreme wide-angle. (still only noticable in close-up shots of
straight-edged items at wide-angle)
* In a casual speed test, the SD1200 took/stored photos notably
faster the SD1100 (same scene, continuous-mode, same brand SD card),
despite the 1200's image size being larger.
* Canon's paper manuals have been shrinking steadily. With this
model, the only manual included is a quick-start guide, the rest is on
CD-ROM.
* The packaging is even more efficient than before, about half the size of the SD1100's box.
* Sadly, there is no HD video mode, although all of the other Elphs
released this spring had HD. SD1200 owners are stuck with 640x480
video.
Canon has several sub-series within the compact Elph line, varying
mostly by asthetics and optics. The SD1200 is successor to the series
that included the SD1100, SD1000, and SD600. These all favor a classic,
slim design. If you're unfamiliar with Canon's Powershot cameras,
there's lots of good material out there on camera sites such as
dpreview.
In general, the small sensors and optics in all ultra-compact
digital cameras lead to some optical quirks (such as barrelling),
chromatic aberrations, over/under-exposure in bright sunlight/shade,
and underpowered flashes. That's intrinsic to the size of camera, and
vendors try to correct these effects in their on-board processing. My
opinion is that Canon does a good job of correcting for these issues
and the Elphs including the SD1200 take very good photos for their
size.
It's questionable that a SD1100 owner would specifically find this
a compelling upgrade other than the Digic4, but this is an excellent
compact camera in all ways. Apart from the noteworthy quirks: the lack
of HD and the limited features in the download software, this camera is
Highly Recommended.
As compared to the SD110
I bought the SD110 (3.2MP) back in 2004 and decided it was time to
upgrade this year as it was showing some age. The latest version of
that same line is the SD1200. I have had it for a few weeks now and
have a few observations. The SD1200 is much faster from the time you
turn it on until it is ready to shoot as compared to the SD110. Next,
the screen is far better than the one on the SD110. Very bright and
readable even in sunlight. The camera itself is smaller than the SD110
as you might expect but does feel a little cheaper. So far I have taken
the SD1200 to three main events. A birthday party, K-4 graduation,
backyard play time. The birthday part pictures did not turn out well in
automatic mode. We were indoors (Pump-it-up) and the lighting was
probably not the best. The images were blurry for the most part. I had
the same issue at the second event (K-4 graduation) but this time I
switched to manual mode and used the "indoor" setting. This greatly
improved the picture. Finally, the outdoor shots turned out looking
wonderful in automatic mode. With the SD110 the automatic mode was
always better than any of the manual settings. It seems with the SD1200
that is not the case. I will continue to explore the settings/features
of the camera. I was expecting the SD1200 to be far superior to my 5
year old SD110 but so far the pictures themselves have not turned out
markedly better.
easy to use, nice and slender
I purchased this camera as a replacement for an older Canon powershot that had been dropped 1 too many times.
I love the improved shutter lag time. (still has one but it is
better!) The camera comes on quickly, after you have taken a photo,
there is not a long wait before you can take another. I was able to
easily capture my busy 3 and 4 year old kids in motion without blur
(this is HUGE!).
The Auto mode is easy to use and so far has taken wonderful photos.
I can not speak to the software that came with the camera as I always
use picasa to tweak photos and I use the software with Shutterfly to
crop or remove redeye before printing them.
On a side note, the SD cards have really come down in price!
