Canon PowerShot SX130 IS Digital Camera, Black {12.1MP}

Canon PowerShot SX130 IS: 12x Zoom, AA-Battery Simplicity

The SX130 IS pairs a 12x optical zoom (28-336mm equivalent) with Canon's Digic 4 processor and a 1/2.3" CCD sensor, giving you real reach without stepping up to an interchangeable-lens system. The f/3.4 maximum aperture at the wide end and optical image stabilization work together to keep telephoto shots steady, while a 1cm macro focus range lets you get in tight on small subjects without a dedicated macro lens.

Manual controls set this apart from a point-and-shoot in the strict sense. Aperture priority and shutter priority modes are both onboard, with shutter speeds running from 15 seconds up to 1/2500 sec, and exposure compensation adjustable across a ±2 EV range. That's enough control for someone learning to think outside full auto, paired with scene modes for when you just want to shoot.

Power comes from 2 AA batteries, which means no proprietary charger and no dead-battery panic on a long trip. Video tops out at 1280x720 at 30 fps with stereo audio, adequate for casual clips. A fixed 3" LCD with 230,000 dots handles composition since there's no viewfinder.

At 308g and roughly 113 x 73 x 46mm, it's small enough to live in a jacket pocket but built around a zoom range that punches well past its size class.

Who It's For

Travel photographers get the most obvious benefit here: a 28-336mm equivalent zoom in a 308g body covers wide street scenes and distant architecture without swapping lenses, and AA battery power means resupplying juice is as easy as finding a convenience store. Wildlife-curious hobbyists and casual bird watchers can use the 336mm long end and optical stabilization to frame distant subjects handheld. Beginners moving past full auto will find aperture priority and shutter priority genuinely useful for learning exposure control, backed by a ±2 EV compensation range. Macro enthusiasts on a budget benefit from the 1cm close-focus distance for shooting small objects and details without added glass.

Key Features

• 12.0MP 1/2.3" CCD sensor with Digic 4 processor
• 12x optical zoom spanning 28-336mm equivalent focal length
• Aperture priority and shutter priority modes with ±2 EV compensation
• 1cm macro focus range for close-up work without additional lens
• f/3.4 maximum aperture at wide end with optical image stabilization
• 1280x720 30fps video with stereo audio in H.264 format
• Powers on two AA batteries with no proprietary charger required
• 308g body with 3-inch fixed LCD and manual focus control

FAQ

Does the SX130 IS have a viewfinder?

No, it's LCD-only. The 3-inch fixed screen with 230,000 dots handles all composition and playback.

What's the actual focal length range in standard terms?

28-336mm equivalent. That 12x zoom spans normal wide angle through solid telephoto without needing to swap lenses.

Can you control aperture and shutter speed manually?

Yes. Aperture priority and shutter priority modes are both there, with shutter speeds from 15 seconds to 1/2500 sec and exposure compensation up to ±2 EV in 1/3 stop increments.

What kind of batteries does it use?

Two AA cells. You can run NiMH rechargeable or disposables, which means no proprietary charger and backup power is easy to find anywhere.

How close can you focus with the macro mode?

Down to 1cm, tight enough for detailed work on small subjects without a dedicated macro lens.

What video formats and resolutions does it record?

1280x720 at 30fps, 640x480 at 30fps, 320x240 at 30fps, or 160x120 at 15fps, all in H.264 with stereo audio.

How many megapixels and what sensor type?

12.0MP on a 1/2.3" CCD, which pairs the wide-angle f/3.4 aperture with optical image stabilization to steady telephoto shots.