Canon Power Shot SX120 IS

[bugn]

Does anyone have the Canon Power Shot SX120 IS? It has just been released, i think a few days ago.
Thanks.

[MerryMegs]

I'm interested too. So if you have one, please share!

[JRET]

Also interested

[bugn]

Me too.

[raven38571]

I got one back in Sept. and I really like. I use it alot for macro shots which it does pretty well. The only thing that I don't like is how long the flash takes to recharge sometimes.

[galvinbelk]

Hi all, im new here. I have just purchased the sx201s, and i love it. The zoom is awesome, it is quick, and very easy to take great shots. I dont know much about photography yet, but from what i can tell, there is a lot of things i can do with this camera, and it is fairly cheap. so im sure ill learn alot.

[birdman59]

My oldest asked me to go with him when he bought his new camera. He described the features he wanted and chose the SX120is. Nice camera. Good zoom and nice big LCD screen. Crappy instruction manual. Nice flash and good sharp images with a really nice macro mode. Well worth the money. The only thing is he's going Afghanistan in April and I cautioned him about sand in the lens elements.
Hope he stays safe.

[bugn]

birdman59, The best to your son. I pray for our servicemen and women.

Thanks, raven38571, birdman59 and galvinbelk for your input on this good looking camera.

[WJHMH]

I just purchased one last week & still trying to get the hang of it, I figured this would be a good place to learn techniques & getting the most out of the camera.

[Woolburr]

This certainly a good place to start. Lots of knowledgeable folks here. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Welcome to the forum!

[Justonce]

How's the battery life on the 120?

[Woolburr]

If it is even close to the SX110 I get between 5-600 shots on Energizer 2450mah rechargeables. That includes some image review and some flash.

[raven38571]

Yes, the battery life is very good. I use eneloops, they last pretty good. Also they have shaved a whole second off the flash recharge time compared to the energizers I had.

[MagBolt]

I have just bought this camera about three weeks ago, to replace a Panasonic Lumix.
I wanted something that was small enough to put in my bag, but that could do more than just point and shoot. You can just put this one in Auto and hope for the best, but the good thing is that as well as that you can set it to Manual and adjust the aperture and shutter speed yourself.
I am very happy with the results so far. In a few of the reviews I've read people have complained about the instruction booklet, but it comes with a CD that has a 143 page PDF manual on it. Everything you need to know is in there.
My only problem is the battery life. When the set of batteries that it came with ran out, I charged up my Duracell ones, and didn't get more than about five photographs out of them. Those batteries were quite old, so I decided to buy a new set, and it's not much better. 20 pictures if I'm lucky. The batteries are DC1500 NiMH/1700mAh.
I've read quite a few reviews and some people have the same problem as me, while others say battery life is very good...
Can anyone recommend batteries for this camera that do work well?

[raven38571]

What battery charger are you using? As for batteries I use Eneloops by Sanyo, which are great for high drain devices. Although they are a little pricey. An alternative is the Rayovac 4.0. Right now you can get 2 4packs for under $8 shipped from Amazon. Less than a $1 per battery. I have seen a few tests that show they are on par with Eneloops.

[Jon]

Yep - get Eneloops. I use 'em in my A630 and SX1 as well as my flashes; just gave some to both sisters and my father for their A620, SX10 and SX110s.

[MagBolt]

I'm using the charger that came with the batteries, so it's brand new!
Thanks for recommending eneloops, I'll definately give them a try. I've just read some reviews on Amazon, and apart from one person who didn't think they were any different from 'normal' batteries, everybody seems to love them.
Will I need to buy a new eneloops charger as well, or do you think they will work in the Duracell one?
Thanks

[Jon]

They work with any charger I've tried 'em with, including a fold-up Radio Shack model that's very handy for travel.

[MagBolt]

Thank you, I'll order some tomorrow.

[MikeFairbanks]

Yeah, I had the 110 sx and it's a great camera. It was a battery hog until I got the right rechargables. Then I could comfortably get about 900 photos (without flash).

[Firefox190]

Interesting to learn about Eneloop batteries. I use Energizer rechargable and get about 350-400 shots (I review the pictures a lot).

Maybe I'll order me some Eneloop batteries for my SX110IS.

[kulmalukko]

I just bought sx120.

This may be stupid question:
When I'm photographing using manual mode, I can change f-number from f/2.8 to f/8.0. Although according this site (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0908/09081903canonsx120is.asp) the f-number of sx120 should be from f/2.8 to f/4.3. Why?

[Woolburr]

What you are seeing on that site is the largest aperture available. When the camera is on wide angle, you have an aperture of f/2.8 to f/8 available to you....when you zoom all the way, you now have an aperture range of f/4.3 to f/8.