Canon PowerShot SX150 IS 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) (OLD MODEL)

I got this camera at an amazing price on Black Friday and I couldn't be happier. Before this camera I had another canon camera, the Powershot A610, which was a great camera but after so many years with it, I wanted a little more without having to spend more than 200 dollars.The tryout: I have been trying the SX150is under different conditions: Under lots of sunlight, at night, taking pictures from my car, with my dogs, cloudy days and so far the pictures have been amazing. I haven't had any problems using the 3 inch screen under very sunny days. The zoom of this camera is lots of fun, especially on video mode, I was in a race track the other day and it was cool to use it to not miss any part of the action, even when the cars were far away on the other side of the track. Yes, it's true that it is a little bulky, you might not be able to slide it inside your jeans pockets but, just like somebody wrote, that's where your cellphone should go, not your camera. It's easy to use with just one hand while your other hand has a soda or a beer, so no need to worry that you will miss enjoying the food and drinks at the BBQ because you decided to take pictures.The Flash: Before getting the camera I was kinda worried about it, since you gotta be pulling it up if you want to use it. The truth is that once I got my camera and started taking pictures I didn't feel that was a problem, the camera lets you know if you need flash, although there are sooo many ways to take great pictures with this camera without even thinking of using the flash. Taking pictures at night is awesome, I haven't seen cameras on this price range taking pictures in low light with the quality that this camera gives you. The flash does take a little bit to load, but it is not a big problem for me, it's not like you have to sit or make people hold a smile for 30 seconds so that you can take a picture with flash.I have read some complaints about battery issues but, that shouldn't be a problem if you buy good rechargeable batteries. I got for this camera four (4) 3100 mAh rechargeable batteries and it's a whole big difference when you compare them with what alkaline batteries or lithium batteries can give you. The fun part is that, in case your rechargeable batteries run dry, you can always get some AA anywhere you are and keep having fun with your camera until you can recharge them again, so my advice is that if you have this camera and you don't want to be one of those people giving crappy scores to this camera just because they are too hard headed to keep feeding this camera with normal batteries, spend a little over 10 dollars in batteries as the ones I got, I spent a whole afternoon taking pictures and videos with these batteries without having to recharge them.To make this short, if you want the best camera that money can buy for less than 200 dollars, this is it. No other camera will give you the quality or the features that this one has. I'm very happy with what this camera offers, it has been way more than what I expected. You won't regret it and remember: BUY GOOD RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES!! It's just silly to keep seeing people writing complaints about using this camera with normal batteries of little capacity.

UPDATE: Still camera shots are great. Video is usually good, but if you are filming a performance where there is silence at times (say a play), you can hear the zoom motor and a definite click as it stops and locks. This does not make for good video as any zooming is underlined and attention is taken away from what you are filming. I rarely do that kind of filming, but this is a disappointing camera in that aspect. However, to be fair, I don't notice the zoom noise when taping musical performances or when speaking is pretty much non-stop as with a speech, sermon or lecture. But zoom motor noise is glaringly there when there is silent or very low volume action going on.Also, battery life doesn't do much better than 30 minutes even with freshly charged batteries. So, if you want to film a longer event, this is not your camera. Also, if you carry the camera around and expect to pull it out for events you just happen upon, don't expect more than 4-5 minutes of battery life for video footage.After 8 months of use, I would now give the SX150 a three or four star rating. It's a good camera, but with real limitations.-----I bought this to replace a Canon A2000 IS. It doubled the optical zoom, still used AA batteries, and added manual mode and all for only $165.This is a beauty. I've tested it on people photos, hand held photos of the moon in manual mode, and macro close ups. It has performed very nicely. Even the flash has performed well for a little flash. The video footage is well lit and even does reasonably well in a semi-dark room when you zoom in on the subject.The battery indicator is way too sensitive. At a child's birthday party not long after I had put newly charged batteries in it warned me that the batteries were getting low. I decided to see how long the batteries would last. Twenty-one minutes of video and various still shots later the batteries were still going. Those batteries (NiMH) lasted for another week of relatively light photo taking before finally needing to be recharged. So, I have learned to disregard the low battery indicator.Though in a pinch the camera can fit in the front pocket of not too tight jeans (though it is visually evident you have something bulgy in your front pocket), I use a Polaroid Studio Series Universal Compact Camera Case (Black) For The Canon, Nikon, Kodak, Sony, Polaroid, Panasonic, Olympus, Pantex, Fuji, Casio, Samsung Digital Camera. It just barely fits (only one way with the lens end up and fits best with the lens facing the front), but the case is nicely made with a good strap. In the case it can fit in a purse, briefcase or bookbag easily and is protected.Besides the overly sensitive battery warning indicator, I can't think of anything I don't like about this camera. This allows me to carry a first class compact camera with me all the time with the great flexibility of a 12x zoom and manual mode and no worries about battery replacement that using standard AA batteries brings.

the camera never worked. it refuses all batteries. it does not keep the date. it is junk. i want a refund! this seller gets terrible feedback. amazon refused any credit on this fiasco. amazon should not allow sellers like this to cheat customers.