The PowerShot series of cameras have long since spearheaded Canon's popularity in the imaging segment. Canon has two lines of compact cameras – the IXUS series, designed for those looking for sleek cameras, and the PowerShot series, that feature slightly bulkier bodies but with added manual features and ergonomic contours. The SX130 IS, is a high zoom model with the usual gamut of manual controls, offering extra control on image parameters. Although not an ultra zoom model, the SX130 IS offers a 12x optical zoom, from 28mm to 336mm, a pretty useful focal range, and can qualify as a super-zoom model.

Look and feel

In-hand the SX130 IS, is a solid little thing. While it’s not ultra compact, it’s pretty sleek for a 12x optical zoom, and the lens hardly extends when docked. It will fit the jacket pocket, but isn't built for tight trousers. There is a fair bit of advertising of features happening on the front – the megapixel rating, optical zoom, HD movie recording are some of the features mentioned. However, the lettering is not too intrusive. To the left on the side, is a small concealed slot that holds the tiny battery that maintains the date, used when you wish to superimpose date details. To the right, is the AC power inlet and Mini USB port that also doubles as an AV-out.

The top of the camera is a sleek curve, with the flash docked in the body. Using the flash requires you to manually raise it. The hinge for the same seems reasonably well built, though we’d not go as far as calling it sturdy, just be careful it doesn’t snag on anything. There is no grip, rather a gentle curve that ends with a slash of chrome that results in a slight bulge in the region where your fingers curl around the body. This is not ultra comfortable, but one-handed operation is possible. The top of the camera sees a power button set amidst the zoom ring. Below this, is the elongated power button, and to the side of these, closer to the flash unit and the top of the camera, is the main dial, that is partially set into the body.

Moving to the rear, the 3-inch LCD has a hard plastic cover, obviously some sort of polycarbonate. However, these are fairly scratch resistant, and even Canon’s entry-level dSLR’s use the same material, albeit of a higher quality. Glass covers for LCD displays do not start below the EOS 7D, which is costly enough to warrant such goodies. The buttons on the rear are flat, but intuitively delineated. The jog dial with the function set button set at its centre is also pretty usable, although the click on the wheel is pretty weak and lacks feedback. The other buttons are set in the body near the dial, and are bevelled, aiding usability. All the buttons are pretty large, though due to the compact size of the body, people with medium sized or larger hands will have to bend their thumbs a lot, which is pretty uncomfortable.

The battery compartment and memory card slot are located on the bottom, beneath a single spring-mounted flap. It's well built and the spring is decent. Overall, the SX130 IS is well built, although with battery loaded, the cameras weight belies its size – it’s pretty heavy.

Click next to read on the features, performance, and our final take