The Canon Powershot SX 150 is a special request from my mother-in-law. She's older and likes the form factor. The camera has good reviews so it seems like a good gift for this year. The camera has a 12x optical zoom with a stabilizer that makes it a good choice for shaky hands. It also has a large 3" display which helps those with poor vision.
It is powered by AA batteries. I consider this a plus although others may want a built-in battery. You can find AAs in any store. Since my mother-in-law doesn't have a computer, charging from a USB-style connector is a drawback. On the flip side, it apparently eats low quality batteries so buyer beware. You might consider a package of rechargeables along with a charger.
Below is more information from the Amazon product page:
12x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom and 28mm lens with Optical Image Stabilizer reduces camera shake so you achieve brilliant images whether you are up close or far away. 14.1 Megapixel image sensor and Canon DIGIC 4 Image Processor delivers stunning quality images. Improved Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings for the camera based on 32 predefined shooting situations. Capture breathtaking 720p HD video in stereo sound with the dedicated movie button and zoom while shooting. Intelligent IS automatically chooses from six different modes to optimize image stabilization for the shooting condition. Large 3.0-inch wide LCD enables easy viewing. Movie Digest Mode records a short video clip right before shooting a photo and then combines one day’s worth of clips into a video. AA battery power provides added convenience.
The table below details the modes of operation.
| Smart AUTO | The camera automatically selects the best shooting settings for optimal quality based on subjects and environmental factors to provide point-and-shoot simplicity. |
| Kids & Pets | Reduced focusing time freezes fast-moving subjects, so you won't miss those special shots. |
| Portrait | The camera sets a large aperture, focusing the subject and artistically blurring the background to make your subject “pop.” |
| Manual | You have complete contrl of exposure, selecting both aperture and shutter speed manually. |
| Low Light | For high quality image capture in an amazing range of dimly-lit situations. |
| Toy Camera Effect | Simulates photos taken with "toy" or pinhole cameras, darkening the image at the edges to create a vignette effect. |
| Poster Effect | Poster Effect combines several similar shades into one color, turning subtle gradations into eye-catching, scene-popping contrasts. |
| Beach | Beach Get clear shots of people at a sunny beach without darkened faces. |
| Fireworks | Grab brilliant images of skyrocketing fireworks. |
| Aperture-Priority | You set the aperture, controlling depth-of-field. The camera automatically selects the shutter speed. |
| Program | Access advanced exposure compensation features while shooting mostly automatically. |
| Fisheye Effect | Add a classic photo distortion without a fisheye lens. |
| Shutter-priority | You select the shutter speed to stop or blur action, and the camera finds the appropriate aperture. With slow exposure times, Canon's noise reduction system activates to ensure low image noise. |
| Monochrome | Choose from three single-tone effects: Black-and-White, Sepia, or Blue. |
| Color Accent | Choose to retain a single color in your image while other colors turn monochrome. |
| Foliage | Capture brilliant shots of autumn foliage, greenery and blossoms. |
| Landscape | Increases depth-of-field for sharp and sweeping landscape shots. |
| Movie Digest | Records a video clip before capturing a still image and then combines one day’s worth of clips into a video. |
| Smart Shutter | The camera automatically takes the photo when people smile, wink, or get into frame. |
| Discreet Mode | Disables flash, AF assist beam, and all camera sounds with one mode dial setting — so you can capture images in quiet areas. |
| Miniature Effect for Movies & Stills | Emphasizes perspectives for a miniature effect by blurring upper and bottom portions of the image. |
| Super Vivid Super | Vivid intensifies existing hues, saturating the scene with bright colors. |
| Color Swap | Select a color and replace it with a color you specify for special effects. |
| Snow | Shoot clear snow scenes without darkened subjects or an unnatural bluish tint. |
| iFrame Movie | The Apple® movie format, iFrame, makes it easier and quicker to import and upload videos while retaining high image quality. |
| Movie | Record video in stereo sound. Unwanted scenes can be deleted in playback mode. |
| Easy Mode | In Easy mode, shooting is simple and relaxed—the camera handles all the settings automatically. |
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