Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD
May.30, 2010 in
Digital Cameras
Product Description
It’s all about the power of contrast. Sleek, gentle curves that merge art and technology into a camera designed to inspire. The PowerShot SD1300 IS Digital ELPH camera captures your world as much as it expresses your ori… More >>
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Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD
from goodmaal.com.
May 30th, 2010 at 9:09 am
I will try to share with you some things I have discovered about this camera. These are just (my thoughts) I hope they might help a little. (Some things) I am compairing to a canon SD1200 and the SD940.
The flat button arangement is the same as the SD1200 all but the power button on top is larger and easier to turn off and on, I like that but be careful it does not come on in your pocket. I have not had any trouble using any of the buttons even with my big old hands. The SD1300 is very easy to use.Small enough to carry every place you go for those spontaneous grand kid pictures like the 1200 also.
Some will miss the viewfinder that the SD1200 had and some will miss the HD 720p in the movie mode that the SD940 has, The SD1300 has 640×480 at 30fps like the canon SD1200 G11 and S90. I like that the mic for the video is in the front of the camera instead of being on the top (where I put my finger) like the canon SD940 SD970 and others, it picks up less finger movement noise being in the front.
I can not tell any difference in shot to shot or flash shot to shot times between the SD1300 and the SD1200 which is 2secs with out the flash, and 3 to 4secs with the flash on, (( up to 6secs for full flash recharge )).(Update > A lot of review sites(C-NET) are getting around 2.7 to 3 seconds for the SD1300 between shots with out the flash so I grabed the two cameras and tryed the two again(SD1300 SD1200) with and with out the flash on and I had the same results both ways, I used program mode both times and they would focus and recharge the flash evenly also…) Shutter lag is good for a canon point and shoot but if you pre focus that will help even more. I never tested the continuous shooting( but see my battery test) but canon says it is 0.9 per sec where the sd 1200 is 1.4 shots per sec, if that is important to you.
I did test the battery (NB-6L same battery as SD1200) by using continuous shooting mode with the flash on and got well over 400 pictures and it was taking ( 1 picture every 2 seconds or less in the continuous mode if that helps you out on the continuous shooting part) and when I turned the flash off it seemed to be very fast coming from a point and shoot world. In real life your get around 300 to 350 pictures with some of them using the flash, your still need a second battery for a backup.
I am getting about the same image quality as the SD 1200 which is very good for this size point and shoot camera and getting a 2.7inch very clear LCD screen and a 28mm x 112mm lens a little better (than the 35 x 105 on the SD1200). This is just me, I am no expert but I like using the program mode best and I try not to use the auto mode indoors ((auto works good outdoors in good light tho) auto seems to want to use a very high iso indoors which makes your pictures look grainy or snowy looking on larger prints, it would be ok for a 4×6 or 5×7 print?. I use program mode and set the iso to 100 or 200 iso (if possable indoors), (UPDATE >> The more I use this camera the more I find myself useing 100iso for the best image quality if you have anough good light outdoors ). For some reason canon has done this with all there newer point and shoot cameras the last year or two, (I know it is a bummer) and again this is just me), You might be happy with the pictures you take in auto mode I am very picky… With the SD1200 and SD940 I would use program mode and auto iso but when trying to do that with the SD1300 it wants to go to 500iso some times where the 1200 and 940 would go to 250iso ,go figure?
A lot of the review sites blow there pictures way up and look for defects, your likely to only make 5×7 or 8x10s and not see (what they see). If you are going to make larger prints or need a better low light camera and still stay in a point and shoot you could go with a canon S90 or the bigger G11,but (much more money I know)! Just keep the iso down and you will do good…) Just a thought I wish they would of stayed at 10 mega pixles because of the small sensor although it does allow you to be able to crop your pictures one or two times . Just about all the pictures that I have posted on this site for this camera have been cropped at least one time or more.
The SD1300 seems to have a nice sharp lens but highlights sometimes tend to blow out in very bright sun as with all small cameras this size, you can see this in some of the pictures I posted on this sight for the 1300. But to be fair my G11 does this also. I just realy like the colors in the pictures that the canon cameras produce, again thats just me thinking out loud.
No problem with red eye in pictures useing the SD1300. The menu screens are easy to read… The SD1300 has a touch more style, larger LCD and a little more virsatle lens than the SD1200, but the 1200 is also a very good camera. The SD1300 does have a weak battery door cover like the SD1200.
You do not get a SD card with the camera, a 4gb card class 4 or class 6 would be a good place to start if your going to use the movie mode any at all ), you could get by with a 2gb if not using the video mode. If your new to this digital camera stuff remember to low level format the SD card (save your pictures first, doing this will also erase the pictures).
I carry my camera in a little phone case that has a belt clip not a loop for fast & easy on and off the belt.. I definitely recommend picking up a small camera case for protection.
In the menu mode I set the I S mode to continous and the display overlay to grid lines(the grid lines help me take straighter pictures,you may use it for the 1/3 rule also). I have been trying the cloudy setting in the white ballance and it does seem to warm things up a bit (better color) in the shade or on a rainy day, check it out and see what you think.
* I posted some pictures on this site for the SD1300, to give you some idea about how your pictures would look (color – sharpnes – moving shots-noise), if that would help. (( Please if they are not helpful vote them down and I will delete those, I need to delete a lot of them, please help me out here, Thanks…) Or if you have any questions I will try to answer them the best I can, no camera is perfect…well not many.
*(( See comment #10> in comments )).
I mostly take pictures of bear in the Smokey Mountians (CADES COVE) and love chaseing the grand kids around taking their pictures.
Rating: 5 / 5
May 30th, 2010 at 11:31 am
I purchased this camera after my Canon A540 Powershot lost its shutter button because I dropped it on a marble floor. I wanted a Canon because I’ve always been happy with them. Got the SD1300 SI and have to say, I love it! I took pictures of my dog running through wildflowers in the wooded area near my home. They look awesome! The pictures were clear, crisp and vivid. What I like about the Canon is that it is versatile to the owner. It’s easy to use when you want it to be, but it has all the settings available if you want to be “artsy.” I mostly use the Program setting because it allows me to set the ISO and flash balances, but I sometimes use the auto options provided. I tried them all on the SD1300 and it was good, even better than my A540 (which I still love and plan on repairing).
I recommend this camera if you want something compact with plenty of options.
Rating: 5 / 5
May 30th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
I purchased this camera as a replacement to my Canon PowerShot SD600. The main reason I chose to replace it was for the IS feature. When I purchased to SD600 it was on sale and the IS features on cameras were an expensive option on upgraded models. I have to say the feature performs as expected. Obviously it’s not going to do much if there is a lot of camera shake, but it does the job for what it’s intended to do. Picture quality is excellent. Low light does well despite the reviews I’ve heard. Manual settings do just as well as auto settings. I like the playback button that lets you review pics rather than having to switch the camera into another mode. When taking multiple shots the lag time between pics is minimal. Videos work well with it but there is that pesky no in and out zoom during a video. Sound quality was surprisingly good with video mode as well. It takes outdoor video well with little wind noise. I was a bit cautious about buying a camera with no viewfinder as my last camera had one, but let’s face it, I hardly used it when I had it. Insisting on a camera with a viewfinder also significantly limited my choices for point and shoots. I’m satisfied with no viewfinder and this camera is exactly what I expect in a good point and shoot. I considered the SD1200IS since it was on sale and a little less expensive but I figured for a few extra features, it’s worth the extra $50. Battery life is great! Even under moderate to heavy use it lasted all night and part of the next day. I’d suggest always having another battery pack as a backup though as you never know when you might need it. I would recommend this camera to anyone looking for a quality point and shoot. For the price I don’t think you can ask for much more in a compact digital camera.
Rating: 4 / 5
May 30th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Our copy of the 1300 has a flare problem while a direct light source is in the picture- a top to bottom light streak appears in the image. We have tried everything from white balance setting, to angles, to color. In every image there is a VERY visible vertical ‘ghost’ flare from top to bottom. It is only fixed by using the flash (which is inadequate in modest sized rooms) or shielding the lens from the light source with your hand. In video mode it is almost impossible to avoid, and it looks terrible. I think (hope) this is a bad copy and not indicative of Canon quality in point and shoots. We have some decent experience with photography, so I don’t think it’s user error. Definitely expected more for the money and from Canon.
Update:
After a little more playing around with the 1300 we decided to return it. The lens flare was not as bad after reviewing the still images but it was still there, and the movies were still not acceptable quality. While back at the store the decision was whether or not to get another of the same copy or try a different model. Opted for the different model after remembering the issues with other Canon point and shoots. Took home the Nikon S4000 and have been happy with it so far. Nikon Coolpix S4000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 3.0-Inch Touch-Panel LCD (Silver)
Here is a comparison of the two after about a week:
Pros from Canon 1300:
-Familiar Canon menus and more simple menu similar to Canon’s SLR’s.
-Power button, shutter release and zoom ring were all in a comfortable layout and good spot for my hands, which aren’t huge for a guy, but I just can’t comfortably hold Canon’s 780,940,1400 point and shoot bodies for long.
- This is nerdy, but the 1300 is capable of using the SDXC cards, a step up from SDHC, that will become a standard sooner or later.
-AutoFocus was pretty good for point and shoot, but not what I would call lightning fast.
-12 MP and a decent image sensor, which is about the best a point and shoot can benefit from anyway.
-The battery is removed from the camera to charge in a wall adaptor, which means you can carry spare batteries and keep the camera free to use.
Cons from the 1300:
-More expensive than comparable cameras.
-First copy I had ended up with a lens issue. Nit- picky I know, but when you pay for the best you want the best. This spooked me away from returning it for the same model, and started my looking elsewhere.
-No noticeable improvements over Canon cameras released in the last two years. Tech specs are better, but hard to see the benefits over say the 1200 model.
Pros from the Nikon:
-More features, and for a better overall value than the Canon (same price, but better value). Body is similar size, and the power, zoom and shutter release are all same location as the Canon.
-Super cool touch screen, which is maybe a bit unnecessary, but hey, it’s cool.
-Fast start up, for those “Wow, look at that!” moments.
-Tons of auto shooting modes (maybe too many) but handy if you are a person that wants the camera to think for you.
Cons from Nikon:
-AutoFocus can lag a bit if you are zoomed in.
-720p video is really not that great. The ISO, or the write ability/speed of the camera to its sensor is not good enough to make the 720p work in room lighting conditions (haven’t tried in outdoor light yet). The resolution is top to bottom 720p alright, but the picture is grainy because the camera’s little sensor just can’t handle that much that fast in moderate to poor light. This is a biggy too, because some people may buy a point shoot with 720p just to get HD. Our copy of this camera is better indoors at the next lower video setting, 640×480.
-You must plug in the camera to charge it. Can’t take the battery out to charge.
Hopefully this long update is helpful. I didn’t want to jump all over this little camera for a flaw and then not give further explanation. I think the Canon is a fair 3 stars, but not really better than that. After all, this is just a point and shoot, and for what it’s supposed to be, it’s fair at it.
Rating: 3 / 5
May 30th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
This camera is really awesome. pictures are very good. Low light condition pics also good. I had SD 600, compared to that canon improved picture quality , low light etc a lot. Video quality also good.
Only thing is pictures taken with auto mode are very good compared to manual mode, i would expect same picture quality with manual mode too with default factory settings.
Rating: 5 / 5