Canon Powershot SX120 IS review

Super-easy shooting but does it perform?

Anyone who's already familiar with this model's predecessors may experience a slight case of deja vu when getting the SX120 IS out of its box. Indeed, Canon has remained unflinching from its previous PowerShot SX110 IS and SX100 IS in terms of design here. The same black plastic casing and sturdy build are to be found, along with a larger-than-average size for a compact. It certainly goes against the grain in the current climate, where svelte, skinny shooters seem to be the order of the day.

The lens sits atop the body in the style of a pancake lens, expanding when the top Power button is pressed. Those who like a bit more meat on their cameras will appreciate the SX120 IS's bulkiness, although we did find it a little inconvenient when out and about as it felt far too big for most trouser or coat pockets. Its weightiness combined with a slight slippery feeling from the body's casing also increased the fear of dropping it, although it does come with a strap to prevent this when you're dashing around.

Powering up the camera takes a mere couple of seconds, the 10x optical zoom lens expanding immediately, ready for action. A viewfinder is lacking, but images are clearly and easily composed via its sizeable three-inch LCD screen. Controls are similarly laid out to the SX110 IS, with the Face Detection, Menu, Display and Exposure Compensation buttons sitting above and below the navigational scroll wheel, to the right of the LCD. There's also a Func/Set button, as well as focus, ISO sensitivity, flash and timer controls.

The top Mode dial contains the scene settings and main shooting modes: Manual, Aperture and Shutter Priority, a collection of scene modes (more contained within the SCN option), along with Intelligent Auto and Easy modes. Intelligent Auto picks the correct settings for the particular scene in front of you, while Easy mode gives you even less autonomy by taking away access to any menus. However, novices should be capable of getting to grips with the Auto mode, which makes the Easy mode a little unnecessary (unless perhaps for the younger shooter).

Image quality on Auto is largely impressive, with clear detail and realistic colour even at its maximum wide-angle of 36mm. Zooming in and out of a scene is easy via a small rocker switch on the shutter release, the long zoom range coming into its own for close-up shots. Press the shutter halfway down and a rectangle appears on the LCD, framing the main subject; when the rectangle turns green, your shot is in focus and you can finish the job. If you need to use the pop-up flash in low-light situations, the SX120 IS also gives you a warning to flick it upwards from the top of the body. It's little touches like this that help to maximise its point-and-shoot functionality.

The scene modes are worth exploring, catering for situations as niche as fireworks displays. We found modes such as Kids & Pets and Night Snapshot particularly effective, producing a slightly greater level of detail and more evenly balanced tones and colours than when left on Auto. The latest DIGIC 4 face detection technology, which recognises up to 35 faces in a scene, has been incorporated on the SX120 IS to help ensure great portraits. Auto red-eye correction is also included, as well as a Face Self-timer which only fires when it detects a new face. An additional Face Select and Track function allows you to focus in on one face as they move around. There seems to be something for everyone here - Easy and Auto modes for the novice shooter and a plethora of scene modes and flexibility for those who prefer to do it manually.

Those wishing to stick with Auto shooting will still receive impressive results, especially when employing the 10x optical zoom for telephoto shots. An upgrade from its predecessor may not be worth it due to the lack of changes, but for anyone else after an easy shooter with room for improvement in their photographic skills, the Canon SX120 IS is a worthy contender that can be used by all the family.