Canon Powershot A1200 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom (Black)

This isn't my main camera, it's the one that goes with me "everywhere". In my pocket, always, on trips, in the car, camping, on walks... everywhere. It's the good quality, fun, pocket camera. Here's why I bought this model.1) Uses standard AA batteries, available at almost any store. Not some special Mfg. re-chargeable. (although I do use Ni-MH and have a second set with me)2) Viewfinder. I really don't want to be holding my camera up at arms length and it's really easy to see what you are going to get in motion or Sunlight.3) Built in flash (not a pop up)4) Takes nice pictures, offers some interesting settings, One I use most often after P is Discreet, which is actually "No Flash" easy enough to figure that out?Honorable Mention: 720p HD video which if you think about it, beats Hi-8mm tape for reliability and easy grabbing a small unit. It's a function and feature, this is not a Video Unit.What, discontinued? Well the A1400 is pretty much the same camera with a dedicated Movie button on the back. For the price and the results, either one is a perfect fit in my pocket.Before this I used an A400 for many years, which I retired and is still sitting on the desk for those quick online sale ads or snaps around the office. That one took a beating in my pocket, camping, travel, and the car for six years! My main camera is a Canon DSLR. But I always have a small pocket camera with me for those unexpected shots. Just crushes any cell phone shots at this point.

OK, here are the facts: my other (similar) camera developed a glitch -- it will not allow me to delete photos without loooooong delays. So I went in search of an inexpensive replacement camera. I settled on this Canon.I did so with trepidation because some of the reviews were lukewarm at best. Yet other reviewers loved it. (This, by the way, is what makes horse races!) So I thought I would take a chance.Here is why I am happy with my choice: (1) the viewer seems larger than its dimensions suggest; (2) the camera fits in my shirt pocket; (3) the pics are crisp indoors and out; (4) the on-off button is clearly marked and the shot button is nice and robust. For me, these features are all I need. To be sure, the camera has a few video bells and whistles -- I'll try those one of these days. No rush.A Con: the shot button takes a little getting used to, since it appears to have two stages to it. If you just press and disengage, nothing will happen. It requires a little patience and then it will take the picture. I can live with that idiosyncrasy.Another Con: no internal memory. You must purchase an SD card before you can use the camera. This too I have accepted, because having pics on cards does make it easy to load them into PCs and laptops.If you are looking for a simple "point-and-shoot" camera that will also perform other tricks if you are of a mind, go for it!

I'd say I'm an intermediate photog, I have and use a Canon DSLR which I like, but always carry a point and shot on me everywhere I go. Considering how often & the quantity of pictures I take, along with built in planned obsolescence, I know my cameras will only last a few years. BUT...this is the quickest camera death I've ever had. It died less than 1year after purchase, 4 no known reason. Usually the image sensor goes, but not sure what happened here. The good news? I AM GLAD it died here's why:Cons:--NOT TRUE to color at all (important if you plan to take say, flower/plant photos where you need true color) I always had to rely on memory to photo correct in photoshop!--Cheap plastic body, very noticeable quality difference from my past Canon P&S cameras--Expensive since it didn't even last a year!--Long flash charge time & time to actually snap the picture (longer than other P&S I have had, this I KNOW does NOT compare at all with DSLR)--Very grainy, blurry pics more so than any other Canon or non Canon P&S I have had.Pros:--Lightweight (as are many other P&S cameras now)--Has a settings wheel to easily navigate change of settings. Important to me, as many P&S now have very annoying, time consuming ways to flip thru a menu button in order to change, not good if you don't have the time to get the shot.In short,there's a reason it's less than ninety bucks... Is this the camera 4 u? If u only pull out your camera a few times a year for holidays & to take pics which u don't care if the colors r accurate, this cheap camera may work 4 u just fine. If u however love 2 take pics & need quality pics, steer clear. I hear Panasonic is very good & what I'm looking at next 4 a P&S.Good luck & happy shooting 2 u!