I bought my Canon power-shot Sx130IS in Dec 2010. This was my first Camera Digital Camera and before this we had an Konica Pop Film Camera purchased by my Dad in 1985 from Singapore.
Well I would rate/name this camera as a Pre-DSLR(or) an Pro-digital camera. Or Also name it as a Mini-DSLR.
Its Advisable to buy this camera if you have -
1) Passion for Photography.
2) Love zoom photography
3) Have Ideas to buy DSLR later or Soon.
4) if u don’t have enough money to buy a DSLR and want to have a compact DSLR like handling.
5) if you want a HD video Recording.
The main part I love in this camera are(Pros) -
1) Manual Pop up Flash, which allows u to use the flash only when needed. This also makes you and your camera stealth, so that you can take photo silently and go undetected.
2) AA battery powered. Though, you get lesser pictures when compared to an Li-ion powered camera, AA batteries are always, easily and cheaply available anywhere you go. AA Batteries are available always, even after 50 years from now. So I can use my Camera even after 50 yrs. But getting a Particular Li-ion battery is difficult even after 7 yrs.!
3) Low light photography without Flash. When you use SCN mode with low light function, you can take photographs in low light. This mode also allows you to take continuous shots of at-least 2 snaps per sec(Max) during Day Light. But the Quality of photo in this mode is bad.
The Part I hate which this camera are(Cons)-
1) Video size when shot in HD mode is too large. 10 minutes of HD video eats atleast 1GB of memory! yuck.
2) Zooming while in HD video mode is too slow and the zooming focus in this mode is also not stable.
3) No auto Pop up flash like we have with other usual cameras. Would be Strange.
4) The Sensor gets sleepy sometimes(don’t know why) which makes your capture of moving objects to miss.
5) Zoomed photos are not that sharp when Cropped. This is an issue with most of P&S Cameras out there in market. The Evidence is Picture Size which goes no beyond 3 mb.!
Tips -
1) If you have decided to buy this product, also buy a tripod along with. That will improve your photos quality and stability.
2) if you are an HD Video lover, better buy and use an 32GB Memory card for this camera.
3) To be safe and live always with this equipment, buy and keep an extra pair of AA batteries. I have three pairs of AA Batteries(6 in total).
Sanyo/Panasonic Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries are Recommended.
VERDICT -
Overall, a best digital camera to be bought at the price Range of 10K to 14K.
I bought this product from a Shop in Chennai in 2010. It was costly that time(Rs.14800).
Thought this product is Discontinued now, you might still find this product at some shops and its a surprise to see that now this Camera is Available for just under 9k.
It is advisable to buy the upgraded version of this camera - Canon Sx150Is or the latest Sx160is.
PS - I currently own an Canon EOS 60D.