Canon PowerShot SX200 IS Overview

The Canon PowerShot SX200 IS super zoom compact is based around a 1/2.3-inch 12.1-megapixel CCD image sensor, DIGIC 4 image processor, and a Canon-branded 12x optical zoom lens. The Canon SX200 IS's lens offers focal lengths ranging from a useful 28mm wide angle to a far-reaching 336mm telephoto, and features true optical image stabilization -- a must given that zoom range. Maximum aperture varies from f/2.8 to f/4.9 across the zoom range.

There's no true optical viewfinder, with the Canon SX200 IS instead opting solely for a 3.0-inch LCD with 230,000 dots of resolution. The maximum image dimensions are 4,000 x 3,000 pixels, and the Canon SX200 offers true manual shooting in addition to program, aperture-priority, and shutter-priority modes. 30 frames-per-second 720p (1,280 x 720) movie recording is also possible with the Canon SX200. Sensitivity ordinarily ranges from ISO 80 to ISO 1,600 equivalents, and can be extended to ISO 3,200 equivalent in a high-sensitivity scene mode. A built-in flash strobe is rated as good to 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) at wide angle, and 6.6 feet (2 meters) at telephoto. Images and movies are stored on SD/SDHC/MMC cards, including MMCplus and HC MMCplus types. HDMI high-definition, and NTSC / PAL standard definition video output plus USB 2.0 High-Speed computer connectivity are on offer, and the Canon PowerShot SX200 draws power from a proprietary NB-5L lithium-ion rechargeable battery.



Canon SX200 IS User Report
by Mike Pasini

At $50 less than the similarly-featured Panasonic ZS3 and with a slightly longer telephoto reach, the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS makes a strong argument in the compact superzoom category.

It's also $50 more than the Canon SX110 IS I fell in love with but it adds HD video along with more zoom. And the Canon SX200 is better looking, too, with a rectangular body that flares into a grip on the right side leaving room for some very large glass.

Large glass always looks pretty and the Canon SX200's 12x zoom 28-336mm lens will get your attention. But the SX200 has brains, too. The DIGIC 4 image processor not only handles post-processing for the 1/2.3-inch 12.1-megapixel sensor, but adds some interesting features. The most interesting is the Canon SX200's ability to track the faces of moving subjects, setting focus and optimizing exposure as well as white balance for them. That same capability works in the self-timer to hold the shutter until you get in the picture, too.