Canon PowerShot SD1400IS

Are You Looking To Buy A Digital Camera?

I have been looking to buy a digital camera for some time now, but there are so many choices I was confused as to my best choice. One of my ideas was to find the best digital camera under $200. So, I decided to do some research for myself and locate one that satisfies my needs. There are so many good cameras available and it took me some time to discover one that has all the features I wanted in a camera. I didn't have very much knowledge about the different features of the newest cameras, so it was a good exercise in learning about them. My extensive research finally led me to decide that the Canon PowerShot SD1300IS was my best choice.

What to Look for When Buying a Digital Camera

I soon discovered that there were new terms I needed to research to understand the new features of the digital camera. Here's a few:

* Wide-angle lens, 4x optical zoom

* Optical Image Stabilizer

* Smart Auto Mode

* 12.1 MP

* LCD Screen

* ISO

Please don't buy a camera just because it's cheap, you won't have the best features that you'll want when it comes to taking great pictures. Follow along and I'll tell you what all the letters, numbers and features mean in relation to the Canon PowerShot SD 1300IS camera.

Why Wide Angle Lens?

A wide angle lens give you opportunities. You will have the ability to take a panoramic view of a colorful autumn forest and see all the trees. You are focusing upon the beauty of the entire forest, not an individual tree. When you use the zoom feature, you actually push the background away and can pull the brilliance of a single red maple tree's leaves into the picture. You have the ability to focus wide for the entire horizon and also the ability to zoom in on the beauty of one branch of leaves. The Canon PowerShot has a 28mm wide-angle lens with a 4x optical zoom which gives you the ability for razor sharp pictures with amazing color. Capture the entire forest or a single squirrel scampering up the tree.

What is an Optical Image Stabilizer?

Just how did they know? I love this feature, made just for me. Well, maybe not, but it is a necessary feature just the same. If I want crisp, sharp pictures every time I must have this feature. Through technology, the Optical Image Stabilizer will automatically detect and correct any camera shake. When I'm not holding the camera still, that's camera shake, but without the image stabilizer the pictures will be fuzzy or blurry. The Canon technology gives me perfect pictures with a flash or without, zoomed in close or horizon far away. No more camera shake.

Smart Auto Mode-My Favorite

In the past, I read manuals, looked at all the choices, and still couldn't figure out which setting to choose. Smart auto mode takes out all the guess work and lets me focus on where to point the camera. This advanced technology analyzes the shooting conditions, too much light, not enough light and selects the best picture taking mode. With 18 different choices, I'm happy to have a camera that is smarter than I am. The Canon Advanced technology gives you the ability to photograph close-ups of flowers and then capture the sunset, creating memorable pictures.

What is a Pixel and Do We Have Enough?

Pixels are little dots. That's what pictures are made up of--little dots. PICture ELement=Pixel. When you have enough pixels, you have a picture. A camera needs many pixels to give you the ability to enlarge a picture and have it look great. With the PowerShot SD1300IS, you have 12.1 Megapixel high-resolution which gives you the ability to enlarge your favorite family photo up to 13x19 inches. The quality is great and you can display them with pride.

What Am I Looking At?

The screen on a digital camera is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen. Look for one that is durable, has anti-reflective coating and is scratch-resistant. Having a Night Display makes it very easy to view in low lighting. The Canon PowerShot has all these features plus a bright, clear 2.7 inch screen. Canon's Pure Color System will give you great color, resolution and contrast even if you are looking at the screen from an angle.

ISO

More letters. Digital camera means no film. They have image sensors instead. The ISO numbers tell you just how sensitive your image sensor is to the lighting available to you. I have not so fond memories of purchasing different speeds of film for my 35mm camera. Faster for low light, slower for bright light. But I never seemed to have the right speed film in at the right time. Now with ISO and digital technology its easy to have all the correct speeds at the same time. You can take incredible pictures in dimly lit places. The camera automatically will change the ISO for you. It is very important that you have high ISO numbers on your camera. You may find some 'entry-level cameras have only one ISO, usually only 64 or 100. This does not give you the best pictures. The Canon PowerShot camera has an ISO of 400-6400 in its Low Light mode. You can take your pictures by campfire, street light or even by candle light and still have a picture you'll cherish, one that is clear and has incredible color.

How Much Should I Expect To Pay?

Remember I was looking for the best digital camera under $200? The Canon PowerShot SD1300IS is available on the Canon website for $199.99 but you shouldn't have to pay that much. The cheapest I've seen is on Amazon who consistently sells this digital camera for under $175.00.

What's In the Box?

* PowerShot SD1300 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

Is There a Warranty?

Yes, the Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS includes a 1 year warranty.

What Are Other People Saying?

This digital camera has received great reviews from most consumers on the internet with an average of 4.5 out of 5 from most reviewers on Amazon and the Canon website itself.

Here are some comments to date:

* Works great. Amazing photos, it is easy to use.

* I would recommend to anyone looking for a point and shoot camera with no fussing.

* What a camera!! The pics are beautiful and the options are amazing, this is definitely the best of non-touch screen, digital camera. The design is also nice and the size is perfect.

* If you need something that is user friendly and ready to go, then you want this camera.

* I love this camera! I'm a REALTOR and use the wide angle to capture views of properties and yards. Wonderful and compact.

* Easily fit into your pocket, well built/designed, and takes great pictures.

Any Complaints?

My research found very few complaints on consumer sites around the internet. One woman did say the battery life might be shorter than you expect and her suggestion was to get a spare battery. Good advice for any camera.

Where Can I Buy the Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS?

You can buy this Canon digital camera from Amazon. At the moment they include free shipping and from my research of comparing prices with other online merchants, Amazon does currently have the best deal especially when you consider the free shipping.

Want to find out more about digital cameras, then visit Marcia Brandt's site on how to choose the best Canon PowerShot for your needs.

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