Canon PowerShot SX500 IS 16.0 MP Digital Camera (Black)

• 16 effective megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor
• 3-inch TFT color LCD with wide viewing angle
• DIGIC 4 image processor
• 720p HD video in stereo sound with a dedicated movie button
• 24mm wide-angle lens with powerful 30x optical zoom and optical image stabilizer
• 30x Optical Zoom and 24mm Wide-Angle lens with Optical Image Stabilizer
• 3.0-inch LCD with 461,000 dots
• Enhanced Zoom Framing Assist button aids in tracking and capturing subjects during super telephoto photography
• High Speed AF

I don't understand the other reviews, really? Are you people serious?!

I LOVE this camera, when I first saw it was "to be released" I started getting exited, I need this camera, the zoom was (is) perfect, the price, eh, not outta sight. Finally the day came, It was available to order, I ordered, waiting, patiently for it to arrive in time for our Disneyland vacation. It arrived. I was sceptical, bigger that I was used to, smaller than I expected, would it live up to my 200? ... Then the I took some test shots, garden pics, they looked beautiful!! So we were off to vacation, I took many, many pictures, day, night, motions, stills, portrait, landscapes, flowers, characters, all looked good but only able to see them on the camera. When I got home, I plugged the camera into my 55" HD tv via the hdmi cable, started the slide show.....

The moment of truth! Did I get my monies worth? Risking a $4000.00 vacation photo shoot of hundreds of pictures of my kids, the park, capturing the actual "essence" of our grand vacation on a $329.00 camera?

I DID!!!

Breath-taking 16 mega pixel pictures adorned my 16:9 Full HD 1080p resolution panel (1920 x 1080) TV screen, flawless, gorgeous, vivid colors, absolutely stunning!!

I was thrilled, all the photos in 16:9 format. I couldn't get enough!! I was the most excited of all the family members, "look, you can see so much detail..." I was beaming!! Plus the HD video, It's OUTSTANDING!!!

Great camera, for the casual or everyday shutterbug! I love it!!!

Oh, and don't believe me?

4/5 stars at one site, 4/5 stars at another, and 8/10 at still another.

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Edit: 2012-11-30 this is better than I expected. Great quality with long distance shots. I'm still working on moving subjects in low light conditions. I do not like the "low light" mode, as the ISO seems to be set real high and the result is grainy. I'm using either manual or program modes. Still the best non-SLR that I've had.

I just got this camera and love it. For me, it has all of the advanced features found in much more expensive DSLR cameras, but without the price. The optical zoom is wonderful to have instead of having to worry about carrying around various lenses for larger cameras. It is not a pocket camera, nor would I recommend it for beginners, as there are a lot of features that would not be useful for them. The size of the camera is perfect for me. The flash has to be manually opened up, which I love because I don't have to fiddle around with making sure that the flash icon says what I want it to say...The flash is on or off, that simple.

It has all the scene selections that the smaller Canon cameras have, but it has a lot more. There's modes that are mostly found on DSLR cameras on this: P (Program); TV (Shutter Speed Priority); AV (Aperture Priority), Manual, Auto, "LIVE" and a nice collection of fun shooting modes that Canon has. (miniature mode, fisheye, discreet, fireworks, low light, snow etc). There is also a record button on the camera so you don't have to switch the dial to video mode to start recording.

There is also an actual lens cap on this camera. I like that because I have had three other small Canon cameras have the auto lens cover break or get stuck and cause all sorts of trouble.

If you want a more advanced camera, but don't want the $500+ price tag, I think this is a very good choice.

I really do not recommend getting this if it's going to be a beginner camera.

I don't ever use auto mode because I have never gotten good results out of it. I like being able to select what mode I want based on the conditions.

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I am so frustrated to see the other reviews about this camera.

One person is comparing to T3i, this person probably doesn't know how to buy or use a camera because clearly is comparing it to a $900 camera.

Another person doesnt know this camera has Auto mode so she keeps taking blurred pictures of h er kids and dogs. She probably needs a cheaper camera for her needs and place it on Auto/Sports mode with FLASH on at all times. Blur-b-gone.

That's all I was going to say, this is a fantastic camera with manual controls at Sub $300 range. Of course SX50 is better but also twice as expensive and T4i is much better at $899, but that's over 3 times more money and twice as heavy and no 30x zoom.

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This is a great camera for under $300. It has most of the functions more expensive cameras have but is a lot more affordable. It takes breathtaking photos and great videos too. Great zoom and all my pictures come out clear and perfect. Highly recommended 100%

I read all the negative reviews before buying and wasn't swayed. I couldn't be happier with this purchase. I'm no professional photographer but this is my 6th digital camera so I'm pretty experienced at point and shoot. I love my canon a3300 but it only has 5x optical zoom. I've now decided to enhance my bird watching with bird photography and the 5x zoom just didn't get it.

I took this SX500 right out of the box and as soon as the battery was charged, I started shooting 30X closeups of bluebirds and woodpeckers through my basement window without any configuration of the camera except programming the date, time, and time zone...Pure Auto...and I was amazed at the quality of photos. I just wish Amazon would let me upload a couple of them to show. You don't need to be any kind of expert or even experienced to take simply amazing quality pictures with this camera.