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Add your customer review to Canon PowerShot SD1300IS click here.
Best camera i've owned so far 
I was just looking for a basic digital camera to take pictures with and am by no means a photo or camera buff. But for me using the Canon is fairly straightforward and I just leave it on the auto setting and am very pleased with the quality of the pictures. They are the best pictures ive seen with an entry level digital camera and I particularly enjoy the vivid details of the fairly large LCD screen that makes reviewing pictures much easier and pleasurable than im accustomed to. I was amazed at how small and thin it was; i mean length and height it is only a little bigger than a credit card much wider, of course but it also has a solid build to it. I could fit this easily into any pocket, even in my jeans. Im glad i got this in time for my trip. Highly recommend this camera. : 2012-05-12 03:10:59
The BEST camera I've ever owned
Over the last 5 years or so, I have owned at least 4 different cameras - 2 Olympus cameras, a Sony Cybershot, & a Kodak Easyshare. Ive learned enough from each one to know exactly what I was looking for in my new camera. First, I wanted a relatively inexpensive one - out of the 4 previous cameras, one was dropped in a bathtub, 2 broke, and 1 got thrown into a trashcan by accident. I also do a lot of simple movie-editing for Facebook, so I wanted a camera that recorded in a file format that is Windows compatible. I wanted one that took SD cards - they
e cheaper and I already had the one from my last camera. I wanted to be able to zoom while recording one of my cameras did not have that feature...VERY annoying and I wanted a good sports/action shot setting. The last thing I was looking for is the ability to take pictures in low light. We have a lot of programs and events at our church, and my pictures never come out well.
That being said, this camera is everything I wanted and more! Its durable & easy to use, and the battery lasts forever! My low-light pictures come out much better than before! Although there are many different scene modes to choose from, the Automatic setting picks which one would be best for the picture you
e trying to take - taking the guesswork out of it! I don know about you, but when Im taking pics of my kids, I don always have time to anayze the correct camera mode setting! My pictures came out clear and colorful! The video was amazing!
I am hoping to keep this camera for a long time - I LOVE it!!! : 2012-05-12 03:10:46
Canon = Quality Photo
I bought this camera as a present for my wife. I tested it and compared it to other digital cameras, and this camera beat out the competition.
I compared the Panasonic Lumix DMC FP1, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1, the Canon Powershot S500 my 8 year old malfunctioning digital camera, the Canon Powershot SD1300 IS, and my Canon Rebel T1i my dSLR...an unfair comparison, but I wanted benchmark for these cheaper cameras. I had always liked my old Canon S500, but I read some reviews on Amazon and other websites, and it seemed like the Panasonic cameras were really good cameras at a great price.
For me, the number one consideration is picture quality. If you don have that, you don have anything. Things that detract from picture quality are poor signal to noise, lack of sharpness, poor color rendering, and various artifacts. Therefore, I tested these 5 cameras under different conditions. I copied the jpegs onto my computer, and I looked at the images at 100% to see how good they really are. The most revealing results were shot under medium light indoors. This is very important if you ever want to take any indoor pictures. The results were as follows from best to worst:
1 Canon T1i 1 year old, about $700, excellent pictures even without flash
2 Canon SD1300 IS brand new, about $110, very good photos for a compact digital camera
3 Canon S500 8 years old, $400 new, not performing as well as it used to
Surprisingly, although this is not shooting as well as it used to 8 years ago, it still outperformed the Panasonic cameras.
4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 brand new, about $90, this had very poor signal to noise and moderately poor color rendering.
5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 brand new, about $80, this camera performed significantly worse even than the FH1. The non extending lens is nifty but yields poor photos.
In addition to this, I found that the Canon was easier to operate and easier to take videos.
Nowadays, compact digital cameras are quite inexpensive. Do yourself a favor and buy a high quality camera. More megapixels does NOT necessarily mean better pictures, and having a large optical zoom can sometimes compromise lens quality and thus picture quality. Also, consider sensor size: this can make a big difference in picture quality, though some manufacturers make better sensors even when comparing sensors of the same size. In my experience Canon consistently makes high quality digital cameras. : 2012-05-12 03:10:26
YES
For those who were not happy with this product, sorry, but I LOVE it!
The background: Im a visual artist whos used a Canon A95 Powershot P&S 5mp for YEARS. I use my camera to take pics of my work in various mediums, from paintings tiny to huge to sculptures and even my handmade jewelry. I use my pictures to promote/sell my work online and beyond. Lets just say the macro setting is my friend. I need precision & detail.
The purchase: I needed to upgrade but had a budget. My experience with Canon has been very positive, but because of my budget, I considered other brands, and initially purchased a Nikon Coolpix S3000 12mp from Amazon. I returned it within a week. I realized that Canons superior lenses have me spoiled. Okay, getting to the point. I put it to the test in various lighting, and in just basic auto mode, with zero effort, this camera produced images I usually have to break a sweat to create! Without any of my usual props, lighting equipment, or tricks, I was able to achieve clear, crisp beautiful images. When I tried similiar shots with the Nikon, images were blurred and had a yellow or blue hue. This little, easy to operate, easy to carry device captured the image as I saw the live object, and the way I wanted to share it with potential customers.
I noticed other reviewers who had owned other Canons like me were not pleased with this model because they missed features from their old devices or thought there was room for better technology. Im very happy with how straight-forward and easy this is to figure out and operate. There are features that have remained similar to those of my older camera, with updates that just made them sweeter. Theres only one feature that my older model has that this one does not, but everything else makes up for that. On my older model, the LCD flips out, and can spin around, tilt different ways, to assist in taking shots at odd angles. I can say I miss it, though, because this model is like having an assistant set everything up for me so I can stroll in and snap the shots stress-free. Wait till I play with the different settings!! This camera works it - Amazon won be getting it back! : 2012-05-12 03:10:12
Great camera
I purchased this camera on April 19th and as promised by Amazon it arrived in two days. The camera comes with a wrist strap, which is very useful, as the camera is quite small. The photos have been coming out clear. I originally purchased this camera because my Nikon digital camera was too bulky and took a while to reload after taking each photo. I am happy to report that this camera reloads quickly; I am using a 4GB Class 4 SDHC Flash Memory card. The camera can easily fit into my back pocket. Im unsure why the other users have given this camera poor reviews. I only have positive things to say about this camera. I will be recommending this camera to my friends. : 2012-05-12 03:09:57
You can never go wrong with a Canon
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 Ive 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. Its 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. : 2012-05-12 03:09:38
It's a Point n Shoot, Not Meant to be the Hubble Telescope
Cmon, guys! Its a point and shoot micro camera, not the Hubble Telescope so don expect D-SLR build and features from this little cool baby. The lens is good, the handling is good, on/off is good, it fits in my back pants pocket. I keep the strap on it so I can pull it out quickly. I also put a screen protector on the LCD to protect it from scratches. Due to all the scrathces on the plastic sheet, I change the protector every few months. I replaced my older canon SD700IS with the new SD1300 since I wanted a new pocket camera. I use my Nikon D-SLR for all my heavier shoots but always keep my mini Canon in my pocket just in case. You can go wrong for $179. This is first camera Ive had without a view finder but Im told that change is good and I shouldn drug myself to overcome the lack of the peephole. Yes, I used to be a pro. And remember the adage, Its the photographer, stupid, not just the camera. Oh yeah, the reason I didn get the SD1400 is that Im an old timer and need buttons to push rather than a touch screen. : 2012-05-12 03:09:22
Another Home Run By Canon
Nobody does digital point and shoot as well as Canon in my opinion, and the SD1300IS is just another example of maximum feature/functionality in tiny little package. I have owned or still own the Canon S3IS, S5IS & Rebel XS. Those three cameras are Ginormous compared with the SD1300IS.
I bought this camera for my wife to carry in her purse so she can shoot pictures and video of the kids while they
e out and about, or when she drops in on them at their school. No camera bag needed, this camera fits in a zipped interior pocket of her purse.
I gave it to her and she was able to successfully power it on/off, shoot pictures, shoot video, zoom, delete bad shots, and navigate the menu system without referring to the manual. The point here is if you currently own a Canon point and shoot and are looking for an upgrade, the learning curve on the SD1300IS is almost zero. If youve never owned a Canon point and shoot, you will figure this one out very easily.
The 12MP pictures are stunning, but to be honest I can tell the difference between the ones that are 12MP and the ones that are 8MP on my Canon S5IS. The pictures the Rebel XS takes are a notch above the others, definitely a noticeable difference there.
The video quality is 30fps 640x480 plenty, same as my S5IS. The image stabilization is a must for this to be of any use, and works like a champ. A 4GB SDHC card holds about 32 minutes worth of video, 8GB 64 minutes, 16GB more than 2 hours! The video is very easy to transfer to your computer and burn to a DVD or upload to Facebook using the included USB cable. There is also an included cable that allows you to play video on your TV via the yellow video cable port.
The appearance of the camera is so cool. I bought my wife the green one, and it looks great. I like how the lens completely retracts into the body and covers itself with a protective layer. A handy camera strap is also included, which is good because this thing is so small I could see it slipping out of your hands.
All in all, a very easy to use, functional, attractive camera that I have no hesitation recommending! : 2012-05-12 03:09:09
It is classy and it takes great picture
I will try to share some things I have discovered about this camera, these are just my thoughts, I hope they might be of help .
Some things I am compairing to a canon SD1200 and the SD940, SD1400.
I do not use the viedo enough to judge that part of the cameras.
** No SD memory card included with this camera **, see below
* Some will miss the eye viewfinder that the SD1200 has.
* Some will miss the HD 720p in the movie mode that the SD940,SD1400 has, The SD1300 has 640x480 at 30fps like the canon SD1200, G11 and S90.
* The SD1300 has no optical zoom while recording video just digital zoom.
* There is a date feature on the SD1300, see below
* The flat button arangement is the same as the SD1200 all but the Power Button on top is larger and easier to turn on and off, I like that but be careful it does not come on in your pocket, purse or in your soft camera case.
* I have not had any trouble using any of the buttons even with my big old hands. The flat buttons on the SD1300 are a tad larger than on the SD940 and SD1400 .
* The menu screens are large and very easy to read and use.*
* You get a 2.7inch very clear LCD screen that has a very good and wide viewing angle in all directions.
Note > when your LCD screen is set to a lower brightness you can push and hold down the display button for 1 second and it will go to the brightest setting and do that again and it will go back to the lower setting...
A 28mm x 112mm lens, a little better than the 35 x 105 on the SD1200 But no view finder on the SD1300 .
* The SD1300 is very easy to use and small enough to carry every place you go for those spontaneous grand kid pictures like the SD 1200 was .
Just a very good basic camera.
* 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 SD970 and others, it picks up less finger movement noise being in the front.
** Timing and Performance** Using program mode > Very fast start up time of just over 1 sec.
I can not tell any difference in shot to shot or flash shot to shot times between the SD1300 and the SD1200 using them in the program mode, which is 2secs with out the flash , and 3 to 4secs with the flash on, up to 6secs for full flash recharge .
Update > Some of review sitesC-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 againSD1300 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. To pre focas > > Push shutter button down half way untill camera beeps and green square apears on LCD screen,picture should be clearly in focas at this point, if not let up on the shutter button and repeat the steps again. these steps will also help take a good clear in focas picture, just something for you to try if your having trouble getting your picture.
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. UPDATE > The 1200 does seem to be faster, quicker than the 1300 in continuous mode, how much I dont know but you can tell the difference...
* Battery 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 flash on if that helps you out on the continuous shooting part, and when I turned the flash off it seemed to do prety good coming from a newer small canon point and shoot world.
* Battery life. In real life I get around 300 or more pictures with some of them using the flash, your still need a second battery for a backup.
* The battery has a little larger capacity at 1000mAh in the SD1300, were as the canon SD940 and the SD1400 is a smaller capacity at 760mAh if that matters to you.
** A nice backup battery is a power2000 for canon NB-6L 1200mAh$19.00. I have used them for years.
I really like the battery charger that comes with the camera, it is small and charges quickley, about one and a half hours the very first charge and then one hour or less there after...
Some set back the brightness of the LCD a couple of notches to save some battery. I think your new battery will do better after the first couple of charges.
* 10/30/2010 At the Columbus zoo we shot 350 pictures and a lot of them with flash on with one charge...
** Very good image quality keeping the iso at 200 and below.
I am getting about the same image quality as the SD 1200 which is very good for this small size point and shoot camera.
* As point and shoots get better we often try and compare them to digital SLRs speed,noise, ISOs, pi : 2012-05-12 03:08:55
The best camera to have ![]()
...is one youll have with you. The nice thing about the Canon ELPH series is they easily fit into your pocket, are well built/designed, don cost a lot, come with a boatload of features, and take great pictures. The SD1300, the latest in the ELPH line continues in that tradition, adding considerable additional sophistication and sacrificing some useful functionality in the interest of cutting cost.
It is a small camera and carries with it the baggage that comes with the convenience of having to carry so little baggage. sorry, couldn resist None of the issues raised, given that they comes as part of the convenience trade-off made me consider anything other than the 5-star rating this camera deserves.
- Many of the functions are only accessible through menus, sometimes several levels deep. The good new is the Automatic and scene modes are pretty good as long as you spend a few minutes reviewing what they really do. This camera is not intended to be used in aperture or shutter priority, let alone full manual.
- The battery life might be shorter than you expect. Thats a trade-off for having a camera thats small and light; you get a battery that is small and light. One thing you can do is get a spare battery. That is good advice for any camera. Another thing that will help is to keep the display off as much as possible. That means using the monitor as little as possible. The sad part is that Canon chose to drop the optical viewfinder in this model. That means a camera that is simpler and less expensive to make but will go through batteries quicker because you must use the display when taking picture.
- The camera response is a bit slow for effectively capturing children and pets. The trick for doing that is to either have a great sense of timing and a shutter that reacts instantly or a reasonably fast > 4x / sec burst mode. This camera has neither.
Some other suggestions that apply:
- Use the lowest ISO available given your requirement for either aperture or shutter speed. To avoid getting technical, higher ISO always introduces higher noise. At issue is when it becomes noticeable. In newer dSLR cameras you can get over 1000, maybe well over depending on the camera, before the noise becomes noticeable. For this camera keeping it at or below 200 is a good idea.
- Don use in-camera sharpening. Digital pictures will almost always benefit from sharpening but you are better off doing it with a photo editing program. Computer-based algorithms tend to be more sophisticated and you can better judge the results on your monitor as opposed to the camera LCD.
- If you want more vivid colors and have the choice use sRGB instead of Adobe RGB. While you get fewer colors they are distributed over a wider range. They are also render better on computer monitors, many commercial labs, and any other place your pictures are likely to show up.
Finally, Ive found the Caselogic QPB-1 Compact Digital Camera Case Black/Gray is just the right size for this camera. Its semi-rigid so you get a fair amount of protection but doesn add a lot of bulk. Its made even better by using one of these, Nite Ize SB1-2PK-01 Size-1 S-Biner, Black, 2-Pack, to secure it to a belt loop.
BTW, I feel that honest, effective reviews can take the place of first-hand experiences that are lacking in online shopping. Ive always appreciated the help Ive received from other reviewers and work hard to return the favor as best as I can. I hope you found this review helpful and if there was anything you thought was lacking or unclear leave a comment and Ill do what I can to fix it. : 2012-05-12 03:08:24
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