The Review
We haven't had a chance to fully test this product yet, but we've assembled this helpful overview of relevant information on it.
Get out and about in with the simple and easy to use Canon Powershot SD1300. It's a 12.1 megapixel point and shoot.
The SD1300 IS from Canon is a slightly reduced version of the SD1400. It comes in several colors like silver, blue, and green, spring colors if you will. It comes with a 12.1 megapixel resolution on a CCD sensor. The digital zoom and optical zoom are set at 4x. View your images on the 2.7 inch LCD screen. It has a low ISO range of 100 to 1600 and an aperture range of F/2.8 to 5.9. Video recording is available at 480p resolution with sound. Like the 1400 the SD1300 comes compatible with multiple card formats.
Features List:
- 12.1 megapixels
- CCD sensor
- Digital zoom 4x
- Optical zoom 4x
- 2.7 inch LCD screen
- ISO 100 – 1600
- Aperture F/2.8 – 5.9
- Video recording
- SD/SDHC/SDXC
- MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus
Digital Trends’ digital camera buying tips:
What’s the difference between optical and digital zoom?
Like megapixels, manufacturers frequently throw around big numbers relating to digital zoom. Like megapixels, you should ignore them. Optical zoom uses real optics to get you closer to your subject, while digital zoom merely takes the same amount of pixels you would have in a standard shot and blows them up to fill the frame. The camera captures no more detail. It’s the same zooming or cropping trick you could pull in Photoshop, done in the camera on the fly. While that can sometimes be handy, image quality suffers severely as a result, and most photographers would never use digital zoom.
What are some basics I should look for?
Your new digital camera should have these key features:
- At least a 6MP imaging device for a D-SLR
- At least a 7MP imager for a point-and-shoot
- Optical zoom of 3x, not just a digital zoom
- The highest quality optics
- A large LCD screen; the more pixels, the better the quality
- The widest range for aperture (f/stops), shutter speed and ISO
- An AF Illuminator or AF Assist mode for best flash shots in dim light
- A variety of Scene Modes for more convenient shooting in a variety of situations
- Make sure you do your own ergonomic hands-on test
Memory card buying tips
Name Brand: Buying a name brand memory card can sometimes cost an extra few dollars, but along with the name comes a trustworthy company, a good warranty, a generous exchange policy and a reputation for stability – something that’s much more critical than it sounds.
Speed: Not all Flash Memory cards are created equal. Some are terribly slow and others are turbo charged for high-end digital photography. True high-speed Flash Memory cards will have their speed ratings prominently displayed, whether on the card itself, the product packaging or both. You’ll see ratings like 80X, 133X, 266X, or perhaps 8MB/second, 20MB/second or 40MB/second. If you don’t see this number, inquire with a sales rep. If they don’t know or if the manufacturer hides this info, don’t buy the card. Look for a card that has at least a 9MB/second or 60X rating. Why is this speed important? If you’re taking numerous photos in succession, you don’t want the camera to stop taking photos so it can slooowwly save the images to the memory card.
Storage capacity: There are many factors that affect how many photos you can store on a single card – how many “megapixels” the camera is rated for, whether you’ve selected highest-quality photo settings or if you’ve set your camera to take slightly smaller photos. For example, an 8 megapixel Canon point-and-shoot camera can fit around 2,200 high-quality photos on an 8GB Secure Digital card. By this standard, even a 1GB memory card could hold up to 275 high quality photos. A whopping 16GB card could hold nearly 4,400 pics! That’s a lot!
What are my options?
There are two basic types of digital cameras-point-and-shoot and D-SLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex). Point and shoot digicams-or as we like to call them “aim and forget”-make up the vast majority of models sold (over 90 percent). The reason is simple: in a single gadget you have everything you need to take good photos. Just aim, zoom in on your subject, press the shutter and the camera does all the work. More sophisticated D-SLRs have interchangeable lenses that let you unleash your inner Annie Leibovitz-they offer higher quality, faster response time and more flexibility. They also are a lot heavier and cost much more. Your decision between the two is purely personal and totally dependent on your level of commitment to photography. No matter which way you go there are basics that hold true for all cameras. Learning them will help you make the right decision.
How many megapixels do I need?
In 2000, the answer to this question was “more is always better.” In 2010, the answer is more likely “if you have to ask, you have enough.” Even the cheapest cameras these days typically pack eight or more megapixels onto a sensor, which produces superb 4 x 6 prints, all the way up to 8 x 10, and sometimes more. The physical size and quality of the image sensor along with the corresponding optics play a much bigger role in image quality than megapixels alone, so don’t be fooled into thinking more megapixels will produce better photographs. Unless you’re planning to blow up shots to poster or billboard size, any modern camera has enough resolution.
When you’re researching different cameras, manufacturers will state the maximum file (or picture) size you can take. In the case of a 6 megapixel (MP) camera, it’s 2816 horizontal pixels x 2112 vertical pixels, with 7MP it’s 3072 x 2304 and so on. Simply multiply the numbers and you get the effective resolution of the imaging device. We suggest you avoid anything less than 6 or 7MP at this point unless you’re looking for an inexpensive camera for the kids.
Pros have access to 21-megapixel imagers in very expensive D-SLRs. You don’t have to go this route or spend that much money for great everyday photos. However, 6MP should be your minimum and if you plan on making very large prints, such as 13x19s, or you feel you’re going to experiment cropping photos with imaging software, consider 8- or more megapixels. There are no hard and fast rules since so much depends on your final end use
