Wondering if SX130 IS is right for me?

Hi, all, I'm new here. I just found you yesterday as I was researching what camera to buy before leaving on a trip in 2 weeks. I could use some help deciding if the SX130 fits the bill. This will be a second camera for me. I already put in an order for it but I can still change my mind.

I have a Rebel XT which I love, but I'm still pretty much a novice when it comes to manual settings. I'm a busy mom and have only marginally experimented with those. I'd like to learn more in the years to come, though. I love using it and of course get compliments on the photos even with little user know-how. I like the fact that what I learn with the Rebel in terms of manual controls can help me with the 130, and vice versa.

My reasons for getting a 2nd camera:
Portability--taking it with me traveling and also to my kids' various events
Zoom--I'd really like to have a decent optical zoom in a small camera
Budget--As much as I hate it, I should not spend a lot ($200-250)

Other than that, small size, quick shot-to-shot times and low light ability would be nice.
I know those are hard to get at that price in a P&S, though, and the SX130 doesn't stand out in those categories.

My main concern with buying the SX130 for its zoom is that I won't be any good at keeping hand shake from blurring zoomed images. Is this a problem with zoom cameras? What can I do to overcome that? If you have the SX130 can you share your experiences and tips?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Eva

Hi and welcome!

Except for its size, the SX130 is an excellent blend of features for its price.
If you're looking for a truly compact camera that would fit in your pocket - this is not the right one.

However, if you are ok with its size, then it has everything - other than the large zoom, it has manual control over exposure, optical zoom during video, stereo sound and all of Canon's new filter effects.

Regarding camera shake and blurry/Noisy images - there won't be a big difference between the SX130 and any other compact zoom within the same price range.
You'd have to refrain from zooming in all the way when there's not much light around, just like you would with your DSLR - the basics are the same.

You could use a higher ISO setting, but then you risk getting noisy images. There's no magical solution.
Having said all that - the SX130 is a good buy. I say - don't cancel your order.
For $200 you'd find it very hard to get such a large zoom in a (relatively) compact camera.

If you want - you could take a look at the new Olympus VR-320, with its x12.5 zoom in an ultra compact (153 gram) body. It lacks the manual controls the SX130 has, but being sold for $164 until June 4th.

eyalg,

Thank you for replying. I'm very grateful for your opinion. As for zooming, I'm speaking more of blur that I cause by depressing the shutter button than of noise from lighting factors. Do you mean that it will be easier to avoid blurriness while zooming in outdoor/sun situations than indoor situations? Is that simply because the camera isn't as good with indoor situations, or is it because shutter speed, and therefore hand-shake blur, is reduced in brightness? Sorry, I don't understand the mechanics very well. (I do plan to buy a book on dSLRs--the only photography book I have is aimed more at film SLRs.)

The reason I'm asking is because I'm weighing the importance of zoom over the importance of size. I am a little put off by the SX130's size, but not yet enough to trade. If I find out that zooming is going to be a tricky proposition, then I need to consider it more fully.

Eva

The SX130 is a decent camera for the money,no viewfinder but besides that I liked the one I had.

I think you will learn to like it.

The best advice I can give is to buy a set of four sanyo eneloops double a batteries. They'll get you 500-900 shots per charge. Regular alkaloids will give you less than a hundred. That cameras battery performance is very dependent on the battery used.

Don't worry about the zoom. The camera is extremely stable at full zoom, but to be on the safe side, us the tv setting and go to about 500 or more when zooming all the way.

I'll post some zoomed examples in an hour or so.

Eva - A nice choice for a compact camera - you get a lot of settings and adjustments for that price. As you have a DSLR, I think you've been noticing that without a viewfinder, it might be less easy to hold steady at longer zoom levels.

12x isn't so much zoom that "movement" is a real problem - it isn't, with my Canon SX10 at full 20x zoom - but is, with my Fuji HS10 at 30x...!

The SX130 has Canon's good IS stabilising - for most purposes, "Shoot Only" will do well, and conserve battery power.

It also has a Customisable Timer - 2 and 10 seconds std - and Custom as well. So you can do a 3 or 5 second delay if that works better for you.

You can set up the Timer to suit your uses - then when shooting, particularly with the zoom well up - click the Timer on. Shutter - compose the image - go half-down to focus-beep - then full-down - and "steady" - then the Timer triggers the shot as you brace-steady.

This method works very well with an SX10 at 10x to 20x - so should help with your lighter camera at 8 x to 12x.

Your SX130 also has, amongst the other modes - Shutter Priority. That's not at all difficult to use - Google it - or look at:

- w-w.cambridgeincolour.co​m/learn-photography-concepts.htm

Top list - Blue Triangle - Aperture, ISO and Shutter Speed.

I've found with my bridge-zooms that Shutter Priority - in outside daylight, at least - lets you keep the shutter speed above 1/125th - 1/250th is better - and that's a huge help with blur from "long-zoom-shake".

If you combine Timer Delay with Shutter Priority - that will go a long way towards crisp sharp images.

Also - when targets are moving - and using the Timer wouldn't let you get the shot instantly - get the shutter speed well up - above 1/250th - with Shutter Priority. Then "follow" the target as you hold very briefly at Shutter half-down focus - then squeeze-off the shot - while "following-through".

You can't do with a P&S what can be done with a DSLR - but working-around their limits with techniques can improve their abilities very noticeably....

I agree with Mike, above - I've used AA Eneloops in 3 bridge zooms for over 4 years - all 5, now, sets - still going strong! And in the SX10 - 550-600 shots (no flash or video.)

You can get a Sanyo 4-AA Charger with 4 x AA Eneloops as a kit, at low cost. With the SX130 that gives you two sets of 2 - and the charger can charge 2 at a time, with a light indicator each side for doing 2 or 4.

Do enjoy your holiday - and your SX130....!

Regards, Dave.

I bought the sx130 a few weeks ago as Best Buy was running a special on them ($160.00). I bought it as a camera to take shots when I don't carry my dslr. So far, I am extremely happy with it. I think you will find it is well put together and has a lot of cool features such as color swapping and other photo effects that you can select as you go. I have not had any blur issues as you are worried about. I have extremely large hands (I'm six foot four) and it still works well for me.

I would recommend you pick one up as I am sure you will grow to appreciate it.

cheers!

Here's a couple shots zoomed in (SX 110 IS).

Wow, I remembered to check this thread after a busy day with the family. I'm impressed by all this advice--thank you! And Mike, those photos are really something. I would never expect to get that quality with a P&S. Do you have any indoor shots you could share, esp. that were in zoom?

I wish I'd known about this camera a few weeks ago when it was on sale. I ordered mine at my local Best Buy too.

Good news, though: I did know about the Sanyo eneloops and put in an order for those online already. I figure if I don't use them in a camera I can always put them in the kids' wii controls!

Eyalg, I checked out the Olympus VR-320. It hasn't been reviewed very many places yet, so it feels a little scary to purchase, but it did sound impressive for the price (if you don't want any manual controls.) Its size is appealing for sure.

I have to say, a simple pocket zoom P&S is what I was after in the first place, and the Olympus would've fit the bill. Today, however, I took my DSLR out to the neighborhood pool to fool around with it in varying lights and got "the bug" again. I remembered how often I've played with it only to wish I could zoom farther . So, perhaps, I should stick with the SX130 and build my photography skills. I just don't want to "need" a pocket camera someday too.:o

Just adding some other options to the mix for comparison -
Two relatively 'simple' cameras -
Sony H70 - x10 zoom, 194 grams, on sale for $189
Panasonic FH27 - x8 zoom, 159 grams, $229
Two higher spec'ed cameras, both with CMOS sensors and 1080 video
Nikon S8100 - x10 zoom, 201 grams, $254
Canon SD4500 - x10 (starting at a narrow 36mm), 190 grams, $242

Good luck!

The SX line is actually really good. The 100-130 IS are fatter than most point and shoot cameras, so putting them in the pocket is not ideal. Loose pants, yes. Small purse, sure. But not jeans. It won't fit unless whatever you're wearing is baggy.

The SX 200 and 210 IS (and there are more now) are slimmer, but still carry that 12x or 14x zoom.

As far as indoor shots with my 110IS? Not too good. If I use flash it's fine, or if I'm shooting still life it's good, but no point and shoot does as well indoors as a DSLR.

The S95 comes close, but it's 400 bucks.

Thanks for the extra thoughts, guys. I will look at those cameras, eyalg.

I am wondering how the flash on the SX130 is. I remember reading a review in which someone complained about it being weak. Any thoughts on how it performs? Also, I think you have to remember to lift it yourself? Is this easy to learn to do?

I liked lifting the flash myself. It quickly becomes intuitive.

But I rarely used it. Too much redeye, which happens with all onboard flashes.

Dave, just another thanks for the particular advice with Shutter Priority and timer usage. I copy-pasted all of that and have been trying some of it with my Rebel until my SX arrives.

Mike, interesting that red-eye is a problem with the flash. I guess my dSLR really spoiled me--I don't know the last time I saw red-eye. I hope software could fix it after the fact, though.

I told my father which camera I'd chosen and asked him which one he'd recently bought (Panasonic DMC-ZS5--another zoom P&S). His looks good in reviews I've read, too. But he called me back a day later to say the Canon SX130 was chosen #1 in its class in Consumer Reports, better than his. So that makes me feel pretty good!