---
product_id: 69369231
title: "Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Pink/Red)"
brand: "canon"
price: "B/.14"
currency: PAB
in_stock: false
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.com.pa/products/69369231-canon-powershot-sd1200is-10-mp-digital-camera-with-3x-optical
store_origin: PA
region: Panama
---

# 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II display 10 MP resolution for crisp prints 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Pink/Red)

**Brand:** canon
**Price:** B/.14
**Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock

## Summary

> 📸 Snap like a pro, shine like a star!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Pink/Red) by canon
- **How much does it cost?** B/.14 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Currently out of stock
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.pa](https://www.desertcart.com.pa/products/69369231-canon-powershot-sd1200is-10-mp-digital-camera-with-3x-optical)

## Best For

- canon enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted canon brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Compact & Chic:** Sleek pink/red design weighing just 5.6 oz fits your on-the-go lifestyle with style and ease.
- • **Smart Auto Mode:** Intelligent scene recognition adjusts settings automatically, so you get professional shots effortlessly every time.
- • **Steady Zoom Power:** 3x optical zoom with image stabilization means flawless close-ups without the blur—never miss a detail.
- • **Print-Ready Clarity:** Capture stunning 10 MP images perfect for large 13x19 inch prints—your memories deserve the spotlight.
- • **Face Detection Magic:** Advanced DIGIC 4 processor with evolved face detection and self-timer ensures everyone’s picture-perfect.

## Overview

The Canon PowerShot SD1200IS is a compact 10 MP digital camera featuring a 3x optical image stabilized zoom and a vibrant 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II screen. Powered by the DIGIC 4 processor with advanced face detection technology and Smart AUTO mode, it delivers sharp, professional-quality photos effortlessly. Lightweight and stylish in pink or red, it supports multiple memory card formats and offers versatile shooting modes ideal for both casual and skilled photographers.

## Description

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 BoxPowerShot 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)

Review: 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.
Review: Nice Compact Camera - I'm very satisfied with the Camera. It takes great well exposed, sharp images and is very compact, It's roughly the size of a 7/8" thick Credit Card and it has a nice solid metal body feel to it. I use it as a second camera when I don't want to haul around my bulkier Digital SLR. The optical viewfinder is a nice feature. Canon seems to be one of the only brands to still make subcompact/compact cameras with an optical viewfinder. It saves battery life and if you take shots with the LCD function turned off Canon claims you can get around 700 shots, more than double if you use the LCD display.The optical viewfinder is a nice option in bright sunlight when the LCD display is hard to see or if you run low on juice without a spare. You can always review your shots on the LCD with the press of a button if you have the auto review set to off. To load your images, You can simply plug and play with Windows XP. Using Windows XP there is no need to download any of the Canon software (Including ZoomBrowser EX) if you have any basic Photo Editing programs. The supplied Canon package gives you just the basic photo editing functions and the Canon Movie Maker is pretty much the same as XP's Movie Maker 2. After seeing what the Canon software did, I quickly uninstalled it and just went with what XP and my Photo Editing program had. You plug in the Camera turn it on and follow XP's Camera wizard. Same with the Movie files. The Video function is very nice and takes nice images. On best quality (640x380) 30 frames per sec, You can get up to 32 minutes on a 4 GB card. Only the digital zoom, not the optical works while in movie mode so whatever focal length you start out with it's pretty much set. The digital zoom just digitally magnifies the image so zoom quality will drop off. Not too bad considering the small size and convienience of the camera. With the RCA cable ends on the supplied adapter you can hook the camera up to your TV and view photos or Movies. If you have a DVD recorder you can record your movies direct to DVD, just remember to press the Display button to turn off the Time Display info overlay on your camera or it will record that too! Another note, I had a tough time to get the Auto Focus Assist Beam to turn off. I wanted the little light that assists focus to stay off at all times. I turned the function off in the menu but it kept firing up. I discovered that in the Flash menu you have to turn off the Red-Eye Lamp option too. That keeps the light off permanantly.

## 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)

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B001SER49C |
| Aperture modes | F2.8-F4.3 |
| Are Batteries Included | No |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Auto Focus Technology | Contrast Detection, Face Detection, Live View, Multi-area, Single |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Autofocus Points | 9 |
| Battery Weight | 23 Grams |
| Best Sellers Rank | #38,098 in Electronics ( See Top 100 in Electronics ) #355 in Digital Point & Shoot Cameras |
| Bit Depth | 24 Bit |
| Brand | Canon |
| Built-In Media | Battery, Battery Charger, Tripod, Wrist Strap |
| Camera Flash | Built-In |
| Camera Lens | 35.0-105.0 mm zoom lens |
| Color | Pink;Red |
| Compatible Devices | Canon EF |
| Compatible Flash Memory Type | MMC, SD, SDHC |
| Compatible Mountings | Canon EF |
| Connectivity Technology | USB |
| Continuous Shooting | 1.4 |
| Customer Reviews | 4.1 out of 5 stars 992 Reviews |
| Digital Scene Transition | zoom |
| Digital Zoom | 4 |
| Digital-Still | Yes |
| Display Fixture Type | Fixed |
| Display Maximum Resolution | 480 x 270 |
| Display Resolution Maximum | 230,000 |
| Display Type | LCD |
| Dots Per Screen | 230000 |
| Effective Still Resolution | 10 MP |
| Expanded ISO Maximum | 1600 |
| Expanded ISO Minimum | 100 |
| Exposure Control | Automatic |
| File Format | JPEG, RAW |
| Flash Memory Type | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus |
| Flash Modes | Auto, On, Off, Slow Synch |
| Focal Length Description | 35.0-105.0 mm |
| Focus Features | AiAF TTL 9-point (with face detection) |
| Focus Mode | Automatic AF (AF-A) |
| Focus Type | Auto Focus |
| Form Factor | Compact |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00013803106480 |
| HDMI Type | None |
| Hardware Interface | SDHC, Secure Digital Card, USB, USB 2.0 |
| Has Color Screen | Yes |
| Image Capture Type | Stills |
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Image stabilization | Optical |
| Item Weight | 0.35 Pounds |
| JPEG Quality Level | Fine |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
| Manufacturer | Canon |
| Manufacturer Part Number | SD1200IS Pink |
| Maximum Focal Length | 105 Millimeters |
| Maximum Image Size | 19 Inches |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/1500 Seconds |
| Metering Methods | Multi, Center-weighted, Spot |
| Minimum Focal Length | 35 Millimeters |
| Minimum Shutter Speed | 15 seconds |
| Model Name | Canon PowerShot SD1200IS |
| Model Number | SD1200IS Pink |
| Model Series | SD |
| Movie Mode | No |
| Night vision | Yes |
| Optical Zoom | 3 x |
| Photo Sensor Resolution | 10 MP |
| Photo Sensor Size | 1/2.3-inch |
| Photo Sensor Technology | CCD |
| Real Angle Of View | 189 Degrees |
| Remote Included | No |
| Screen Size | 2.5 Inches |
| Sensor Type | CCD |
| Shooting Modes | Automatic |
| Skill Level | Professional |
| Special Feature | Image Stabilization |
| Specific Uses For Product | Photography |
| Supported File Format | JPEG, RAW |
| Supported Image Format | JPEG, RAW |
| Total Still Resolution | 10 MP |
| Total USB 2.0 Ports | 1 |
| Total USB Ports | 1 |
| Touch Screen Type | LCD |
| UPC | 013803106480 |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Video Capture Format | MJPEG |
| Video Resolution | 480p |
| Viewfinder | Optical |
| White Balance Settings | Auto |
| Wireless Technology | None |
| Write Speed | 1.4 fps |
| Zoom | Optical Zoom |

## Product Details

- **Compatible Mountings:** Canon EF
- **Aspect Ratio:** 16:9
- **Photo Sensor Technology:** CCD
- **Supported File Format:** RAW, JPEG
- **Image Stabilization:** Optical
- **Maximum Focal Length:** 105 Millimeters
- **Optical Zoom:** 3 x
- **Expanded ISO Minimum:** 100
- **Metering Description:** Multi, Center-weighted, Spot
- **Brand:** Canon

## Images

![Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Pink/Red) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81PowPHKZ1S.jpg)
![Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Pink/Red) - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Pm6n6k1uL.jpg)
![Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Pink/Red) - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61-72Yc5HPL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Color** options.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ great little cam, some improvements from earlier powershots, some quirks
*by O***E on April 22, 2009*

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.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nice Compact Camera
*by D***U on December 12, 2009*

I'm very satisfied with the Camera. It takes great well exposed, sharp images and is very compact, It's roughly the size of a 7/8" thick Credit Card and it has a nice solid metal body feel to it. I use it as a second camera when I don't want to haul around my bulkier Digital SLR. The optical viewfinder is a nice feature. Canon seems to be one of the only brands to still make subcompact/compact cameras with an optical viewfinder. It saves battery life and if you take shots with the LCD function turned off Canon claims you can get around 700 shots, more than double if you use the LCD display.The optical viewfinder is a nice option in bright sunlight when the LCD display is hard to see or if you run low on juice without a spare. You can always review your shots on the LCD with the press of a button if you have the auto review set to off. To load your images, You can simply plug and play with Windows XP. Using Windows XP there is no need to download any of the Canon software (Including ZoomBrowser EX) if you have any basic Photo Editing programs. The supplied Canon package gives you just the basic photo editing functions and the Canon Movie Maker is pretty much the same as XP's Movie Maker 2. After seeing what the Canon software did, I quickly uninstalled it and just went with what XP and my Photo Editing program had. You plug in the Camera turn it on and follow XP's Camera wizard. Same with the Movie files. The Video function is very nice and takes nice images. On best quality (640x380) 30 frames per sec, You can get up to 32 minutes on a 4 GB card. Only the digital zoom, not the optical works while in movie mode so whatever focal length you start out with it's pretty much set. The digital zoom just digitally magnifies the image so zoom quality will drop off. Not too bad considering the small size and convienience of the camera. With the RCA cable ends on the supplied adapter you can hook the camera up to your TV and view photos or Movies. If you have a DVD recorder you can record your movies direct to DVD, just remember to press the Display button to turn off the Time Display info overlay on your camera or it will record that too! Another note, I had a tough time to get the Auto Focus Assist Beam to turn off. I wanted the little light that assists focus to stay off at all times. I turned the function off in the menu but it kept firing up. I discovered that in the Flash menu you have to turn off the Red-Eye Lamp option too. That keeps the light off permanantly.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The best camera is the one you have with you"
*by J***B on November 13, 2009*

This is, overall, a remarkable camera for the size and price. Wide aperture photography in reasonable lighting is where this excels, such as shooting portraits indoors or in shade. Unfortunately, the size of the camera means some very strict limitations in the conditions under which you can get good photos. The aperture at high f/# (i.e. when the aperture is stopped down to let less light in) is so small that you get noticeable diffractive blurring. Take a picture in landscape scene mode outside on a sunny day (which stops down the lens to increase depth of field), for example, and you'll notice a certain fuzziness to the picture due to the small aperture. Another problem area in the camera is in the auto mode. For reasons I still haven't figured out, while the camera seems to do a great job picking out the correct mode (i.e. portrait versus outdoor), the results in auto are almost never as good as if you just leave it in P (program) mode. For some reason auto mode usually results in overexposure and too high an ISO setting. This is especially true when using the flash. I'm guessing that the camera errs on the side of having too much light to work with, rather than underexposing, but the results are frustratingly poor compared to what you get with P most of the time. Despite the photo quality limitations, many of which are unavoidable on a camera of this size, this is a very nice camera. As they say, the best camera is the one you have with you, and the compact stature of this camera means that more often than not, this will be the best camera. You'll almost always get good shots, and sometimes you'll get great ones, just using the auto mode. If you know what you're doing, you can get surprisingly good results from this camera. In summary, while one should be aware that sacrifices have to made in the optics with a camera this small, this is about as good a camera as you can get at this size. I recommend it.

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*Last updated: 2026-05-14*