Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS

The Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS is a great ultra-compact camera, according to reviewers. In one test, it beats under-$180 competitors from seven different brands. Experts and users say it's simple to operate, and it takes good photos in most conditions, thanks to its 4x optical zoom lens (with an equivalent range of 28 mm to 114 mm for better wide-angle coverage) and 12.1-megapixel sensor. Measuring 3.5 inches wide by 2.2 inches tall and 0.8 inches thick, the Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS is not the smallest ultra-compact on the market, but there are no complaints about portability as it can easily slip into a pocket or purse.

Some reviewers are disappointed that the optical viewfinder has been eliminated in favor of a slightly larger, 2.7-inch LCD screen. However, others like the display, which Ken McMahon at CameraLabs.com says is "brighter and more contrasty than the screens on both the Nikon Coolpix S3000 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 and has a wider angle of view than the panels on those cameras." The Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS also gets high marks for its easy-to-use menu navigation. It features Smart Auto Mode, which selects from 18 preset scene options so that you can "point and shoot without thinking twice, and still come away with a stellar snapshot," editors at DigitalCameraHQ.com say. The camera also has face-detection technology to home in on as many as 35 faces. Canon's optical image-stabilization feature is "one of the most effective at reducing the effects of camera shake and enabling low-light exposures at much slower shutter speeds than would otherwise be possible," according to Ken McMahon at CameraLabs.com. The PowerShot SD1300 IS shoots 640-by-480-pixel (30 frames per second) AVI movies, but does not offer HD video. If you want HD video, experts recommend stepping up to the otherwise similar Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS (Discontinued).

Professional reviews with results on performance testing and sample photo galleries can be found on Imaging-Resource.com, CNET, DigitalReviews.ca and DigitalCameraHQ.com. CameraLabs.com gives a detailed comparison on how the Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS stacks up against similar models from Nikon and Sony, and DCResource.com pits the SD1300 IS against seven competitors in a head-to-head shootout. A good number of consumer reviews are available on Amazon.com.